Douglas Bettcher

Bill banning people born after 2008 from buying tobacco clears UK parliament with aim to have a ‘smoke-free generation’ theguardian.com/society/2026/a…

I commend @wesstreeting, Secretary of State at @DHSCgovuk, and the @UKParliament for taking decisive action to protect the next generation from tobacco. This is a significant victory for the health and wellbeing of young people across the #UK. I encourage other countries to follow this example and take similarly bold steps to safeguard their children from addiction to this harmful product.

The Aral Sea is a manmade disaster with consequential environmental implications. At the Regional Ecological Summit #RES2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan, I highlighted that the health of humans, animals and the environment we share are inextricably linked. We cannot protect one without protecting the others. @WHO has four priorities in this regard: -Integration of health in environmental policy and recovery efforts; -stronger cross-border collaboration; -better monitoring, better data and better use of evidence; -keep people at the centre especially children, women and communities living in the most affected areas.

Congratulations to the #Bahamas for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This achievement solidifies years of political commitment, and the dedication of health workers. By ensuring that children are born free of HIV, we are securing a healthier, brighter future for the next generation. @MOHW242 who.int/news/item/22-0…

Thank you, Kudari Ardak and Kuda Daulet, for the wonderful evening. Great time with my in-laws here in #Kazakhstan. Laughter, love, and the sweetest songs sung together under one roof. And thank you for blessing me with my three incredible grandkids. They are my everything. So glad to be in my second home. Family is where the heart sings, and tonight, mine was full.

Indigenous Peoples are bearers of cultures, knowledge & ways of life that have sustained humanity for thousands of years. Their individual & collective rights must be respected. Lets work to realize Indigenous Peoples' rights everywhere & build a better future of all humanity.

Almost half of the population of #Haiti is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity due to armed violence, climate shocks, economic contraction according to the latest report by @theIPCinfo. @pahowho has been supporting critical health work in Haiti, including providing equipment, medicines, and training for health workers to manage severe acute malnutrition and its complications as well as the promotion of breastfeeding in emergency settings. While these efforts are vital, the scale of need is profound. I call for the expansion of humanitarian access to ensure that all people in need can safely receive nutrition and lifesaving medical care. ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-websit…

Substance use disorders are health disorders. Globally, there are an estimated 300 million drug users, yet only a small fraction receive treatment.  New types of highly potent synthetic drugs are emerging every year, presenting significant public health risks. Stigma, discrimination, criminalization of people using drugs, and fear of punishment continue to push people away from care and away from the health systems that should protect them. A strong health response to drug-related harms requires health systems that: - integrate services for mental health and substance use with services to prevent communicable diseases at the primary health care level; - ⁠engage communities and civil society; - ⁠and support families, protect children, and reach people in prisons, in humanitarian crises, and on the margins of society. I salute the Government of #Uzbekistan for hosting, with @UNODC, the International Forum on Countering Transnational Drug Threats to Public Health and Security in Samarkand and putting increased attention on this critical health area. My speech to the Forum: who.int/news-room/spee…

If you are in crowded places with poor ventilation, #WearAMask. Because it helps keep you and your community safe from #COVID19, flu and other respiratory illnesses. And remember these other measures to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19, flu, measles and other respiratory illnesses: -Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze) -Keep a distance when possible -Keep rooms well-ventilated -Stay home if you feel unwell -Get vaccinated and stay up to date with booster doses

Creativity and innovation are key to tackling the world’s biggest challenges, from poverty to inequalities. Tuesday is World Creativity and Innovation Day. un.org/en/observances…

Congratulations to the Kingdom of #Tonga on the launch of its second Multi‑Hazard Risk Communication and Community Engagement Strategy 2026–2030. This important milestone reflects Tonga’s continued leadership and commitment to strengthening preparedness for public health emergencies through proactive, coordinated and community‑centred approaches. who.int/westernpacific…

Stand against ageism. This form of discrimination not only harms individuals but also has serious consequences for their physical and mental well-being. Today's daily dose addresses this critical issue.

Every fraction of a degree matters. Rising temperatures put marine life and coastal ecosystems at risk of irreversible loss. Urgent #ClimateAction is needed to #SaveOurOcean. buff.ly/R71bIe0

Too much time spent indoors and intensive near vision activity lead to more children suffering from nearsightedness or #myopia. Taking regular breaks and spending more time outdoors can reduce this risk. Get regular eye checks!

Congratulations to the Risk Information Division of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea on its designation as the first WHO Collaborating Centre for Food Safety Emergencies. Each year, an estimated 600 million people, nearly one in ten worldwide, fall ill from contaminated food, and 420 000 lives are lost. Strengthening preparedness and response to food safety emergencies is therefore vital to safeguarding public health. The @WHO family of Collaborating Centres continues to grow, strengthening our collective capacity to protect global health. who.int/westernpacific…

At a time of profound global challenges, multilateral cooperation and parliamentary leadership are essential for peace, equity, development and health.   That’s why together we have now established a regular, dedicated space for parliamentarians within the World Health Assembly a Global Parliamentary Forum, to be held on the 20thof May in Geneva, alongside the World Health Assembly. @WHO and @IPUparliament are working together to connect global health governance to national parliaments.

Has it been a stressful week? Take a moment to: ✅ Enjoy a pose ✅ Breathe slowly ✅ Tune into yourself! You deserve a moment of calm. Here’s to a peaceful end of the year and a refreshed start to the next one! #SelfCare

It was a pleasure to meet with State Secretary @NielsAnnen of @BMZ_Bund. Our discussion focused on the reforms undertaken by @WHO to become a leaner and more efficient organization, focused on delivering its core mandate. We also discussed the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement. I reaffirmed that multilateralism and WHO’s unique ability to convene Member States remain central to global health security. I look forward to our continued collaboration to advance #HealthForAll and further strengthen global health preparedness and response.

#Lebanon’s Tebnine Government Hospital, one of the busiest trauma management hospitals in the south, was damaged due to two consecutive strikes closeby on 12 and 14 April. 11 workers were injured and the emergency department, including critical equipment such as ventilators, monitors, stretchers and trolleys, were damaged. The pharmacy and out-patient clinics were also damaged. @WHO is supporting urgent emergency maintenance based on priority needs, while hospital services continue to function despite the strain. Since the start of the war, @WHO has recorded 133 attacks on health care with 88 deaths and 206 injuries. Fifteen hospitals and 7 primary healthcare centres have been damaged, and 5 hospitals and 56 primary health care centres have closed.   Humanitarian access to southern Lebanon has been severely constrained, hindering support to health facilities and limiting people’s access to essential care. I reiterate the call for the immediate protection of health care facilities, health workers, ambulances, and patients. There must be safe, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access across Lebanon, so that life-saving services can be delivered without delay and without risk to those providing or receiving care.

In a world facing multiple challenges, preparedness for pandemics must remain a priority. Today, global defence spending in a single week exceeds what we invest in protecting the world’s most vulnerable for an entire year. Recent aid cuts have disrupted essential health services, but they also present an opportunity to reshape global health governance. Countries are driving this reform, and @WHO is committed to supporting them including through our presence in more than 150 countries. Thank you Axel Pries, @WorldHealthSmt President , CEO Carsten Schicker and Professor @IlonaKickbusch for your partnership and for organizing this high level event.