Author: GHealth News

GHealth News - The World Health Organization (WHO) has finalized the text of a legally binding treaty aimed at strengthening global preparedness and coordination for future pandemics. This agreement, years in the making, seeks to prevent the kind of disorganized global response seen during the COVID-19 crisis. Key points of the treaty include: Faster sharing of disease data to help speed up the development of vaccines and treatments. WHO oversight of global PPE supply chains to improve distribution during crises. A requirement for pharmaceutical companies to reserve 20% of pandemic-related products, 10% donated to WHO and 10% sold at affordable rates. Voluntary technology sharing with low-income countries to support local vaccine and drug production. A new system, the Pa...

GHealth News - The World Health Organization (WHO) is close to finalizing a legally binding treaty aimed at improving global preparedness for future pandemics. After three years of intense negotiations sparked by the COVID-19 crisis, most of the treaty has been agreed upon, with only a few critical issues remaining. Talks in Geneva ran overnight but were paused until Tuesday to resolve final disagreements. The United States withdrew from the discussions earlier this year under President Donald Trump, but the remaining 192 member states may choose to ratify the treaty once adopted. A major point of contention remains the fair distribution of vaccines and medicines, especially between wealthy and developing countries. The treaty has faced opposition from right-wing critics who argue it...

GHealth News - The World Health Organization (WHO) launches the Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures campaign on World Health Day 2025, April 7, focusing on maternal and newborn health. The campaign aims to reduce preventable deaths, improve long-term health for women, and raise awareness about gaps in maternal and newborn survival. With nearly 300,000 maternal deaths and over 4 million newborn deaths annually, urgent action is needed. WHO encourages collective action, investments in healthcare, and better support for families, addressing both physical and emotional health needs. People are urged to spread awareness, participate in global events, donate, and share personal stories. Campaign goals To raise awareness about gaps in maternal and newborn survival and the need to prioritiz...

By: Rachel Tompa When it comes to widespread global health problems, ChatGPT and its like may not be the first solution that comes to your mind. But generative AI, the type of large language model that underlies artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT, could have a lot to offer in low- and middle-income countries where access to reliable health care remains a hurdle for many. Eleni Linos, MD, DrPH, the director of the Stanford Center for Digital Health, spends a lot of time thinking about how digital tools including generative AI could tackle health problems that humans haven't been able to solve. Recently, Linos and her research team at the center co-authored a report on generative AI's application for health in low- and middle-income countries in collab...

GHealth News - The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised alarm over the escalating malnutrition crisis in Yemen, warning that the growing needs surpass the current treatment capacity. In a statement on Wednesday, MSF urged increased financial support following significant reductions in humanitarian funding for the country. Malnutrition admissions in Yemen remain critically high, MSF reported. "If we don't take immediate action by strengthening nutrition programs and ensuring affordable transportation to healthcare facilities, we risk an even greater surge in malnutrition in the coming months," said Himedan Mohammed, MSF Middle East's head of operations. Despite expanding treatment capacity, MSF stated that it is unable to meet all the demands and called for urg...