WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean

“The rapid escalation of hostilities in the Middle East is deeply alarming. Our Region is already fragile, shaped by years of conflict, displacement, and underfunded health systems. Further violence will not only claim lives directly. It will push already strained health systems closer to collapse, disrupt essential services, and deepen trauma across generations. I urge all parties to exercise immediate restraint and to de-escalate. The protection of civilians, health workers and health facilities is an obligation under international humanitarian law.” @HananBalkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

At the #WHSNairobi2026, I joined the launch of the @AfricaCDC Continental Immunization Strategy, a critical step to accelerate equitable, resilient immunization systems across the continent. As the world marks #WorldImmunizationWeek2026, this launch turns global momentum into continental action, renewing our focus to reach zero-dose children, strengthen country ownership and integrate immunization into primary health care to get back on track for 2030. As One @WHO, we stand ready to work with Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, partners and countries to turn this strategy into real protection, ensuring no one is left behind. @_AfricanUnion | @ProfJanabi | @WHOAFRO | @EvaUNICEF | @UNICEFAfrica | @UNICEF | @gavi | @PATHtweets #Partners4Health

Wrapped up a productive week at #WHSNairobi2026 🇰🇪 Across all my engagements one message stood out: strong, resilient health systems are built through country leadership, sustainable financing and partnerships that deliver impact. From advancing universal health coverage and tackling noncommunicable diseases, to scaling immunization, strengthening health financing and expanding local manufacturing, we are seeing real momentum across Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean Region. As One @WHO, together with @WHOAFRO and @WHO_Europe, partners and countries, we are turning shared priorities into coordinated action, supporting systems that are more equitable, better prepared and built to last. @DrTedros | @ProfJanabi | @hans_kluge

Our latest Middle East conflict situation report is out. In #Lebanon, hostilities continue despite the ceasefire, with 9 attacks on health care verified in two weeks. In #Iran, 3.2 million people remain internally relocated. In #Syria, disease outbreaks, including measles, hepatitis A, and a surge in leishmaniasis, are adding to an already overstretched health system. Read the full update: 🔗 emro.who.int/images/stories…

Pandemic and epidemic intelligence bring together surveillance data and real-world context to guide public health decisions. While innovation is accelerating, research efforts remain fragmented, and translating insights into policy is still inconsistent. To close this gap, @WHO’s Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence and global partners identified key research priorities to strengthen impact. Read their findings in @LancetGH, with thanks to @Chikwe_I for sharing this important paper from colleagues and partners: thelancet.com/journals/langl…

On the sideline of #WHSNairobi2026 last week, I had a productive exchange with Axel Pries ahead of the @WorldHealthSmt 2026. We discussed strengthening regional voices, advancing more inclusive global health dialogue, and elevating critical issues from attacks on health care to the realities of delivering care in conflict. Important momentum to shape a summit that reflects today’s challenges and drives solutions.

.@WHO has supported the establishment of a new primary health care clinic in northern Gaza, where extremely limited health services have left most of the community without access to care. The clinic brings services directly to where communities are living. It will deliver essential health services, including noncommunicable disease management, maternal and child health services, routine vaccination, wound care, and basic physical rehabilitation, alongside referrals for cases requiring higher-level care. Health needs across Gaza remain immense. To move beyond immediate lifesaving response and begin restoring health services at scale, @WHO calls for the protection of health care, essential medicines and supplies to be allowed into Gaza without delay, removal of bureaucratic barriers and access restrictions on globally recognised essential medicines, expedited entry of spare parts for medical equipment and generators.

.@FMOH_SUDAN, @WHO and @UNICEF have launched the first of two rounds of a nationwide polio vaccination campaign targeting more than 4.3 million children aged under 5 years across 7 of #Sudan’s states. More than 3 years of conflict have disrupted routine immunization services, leaving approximately 1.5 million children insufficiently protected against polio and vaccine-preventable diseases. This campaign aims to close immunity gaps and strengthen national protection against polio. But to sustain these and other vital health services, there is one overwhelming need for the people of Sudan: long overdue and lasting peace. emro.who.int/sdn/sudan-news…

ما لا تراه قد يضر بصحتك. الملح الخفي في الأطعمة اليومية يرفع ضغط الدم ويعرض الملايين للخطر. كثير من الناس يستهلكون الصوديوم بمقادير تفوق بكثير المقدار الموصى به وهو 2 غرام يوميًا، ولا يدركون ذلك في الغالب. فوجود مستويات عالية من الصوديوم في الخبز والأغذية المُصنَّعَة والتوابل يجعل الخيارات الصحية أكثر صعوبة. والقضاء على ارتفاع ضغط الدم يتطلب ما هو أكثر من مجرد الوعي. إنه يتطلب اتخاذ إجراءات. ويؤدي تعزيز القواعد التنظيمية في مجال الأغذية، وتوسيم الأغذية على نحو أكثر وضوحًا، والخيارات الصحية الميسورة التكلفة، إلى تمكين الناس من السيطرة على ضغط الدم وحماية صحتهم.

What you don’t see can harm your health. Hidden salt in everyday foods drives up blood pressure and puts millions at risk. Many people consume far more sodium than the recommended 2g per day, often without realizing it. High levels of sodium in bread, processed foods and condiments make healthy choices harder. Turning the tide on hypertension requires more than awareness. It demands action. Stronger food regulation, clearer labelling and affordable healthier options can empower people to take control of their blood pressure and protect their health.

WHO continues to work with partners to address public health issues through supporting continuity of care, specifically access to medications and hospitalization, health education, hygiene promotion, and coordination with other sectors. #HealthForAll

A WHO Lebanon team visited the Jdeideh School for Girls shelter yesterday, where 377 people (90 families) are currently residing, to understand their living conditions and identify priority public health concerns.

Safe blood saves lives. With the generous support of the @JapanEmbLebanon @MofaJapan_en, WHO is strengthening 16 public hospitals across Lebanon with blood bank equipment to ensure safe blood transfusions and reinforce emergency response during times of conflict.

في ختام #الأسبوع_العالمي_للتطعيم، إيليانو وكارولين بيشاركونا أهم الرسائل اللي عرفوها عن أهمية التطعيمات. At the end of the #WorldImmunizationWeek, Eliano and Caroline share the key messages they learned about the importance of vaccination. #VaccinesWork #قرارك_بيفرق

يواصل العاملون في القطاع الصحي وشركاؤهم في جميع أنحاء #اليمن إنقاذ الأرواح يومياً. في قصة تجسد الصمود والأثر الإيجابي والأمل. 🔗 اضغط هنا لمشاهدة الفيديو: shorturl.at/NDb63 #الصحة_للجميع

Across #Yemen, health workers and partners continue to save lives every day. This is a story of resilience, impact, and hope. 🔗 Watch: shorturl.at/nJHBf #HealthForAll

دعمت منظمة الصحة العالمية جهود تعزيز سلامة المرضى في عمان بوصفها وظيفةمن وظائف الخدمات الصحية الأساسية والتغطية الصحية الشاملة، مما أسهم في ترسيخ ثقافة سلامة المرضى وتحسين جودة الرعاية الصحية، من خلال تعزيز الحوكمة،وربط سلامة المرضى بتقديم الخدمات الصحية والرعاية الصحية الأولية.

At #WHSNairobi2026, I joined the panel on “Manufacturing Health in Africa: Sovereignty, Scale and Supply Chains,” highlighting the strong links between Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean Regions, where 7 African countries are part of the @WHOEMRO Region. Through @WHOEMRO’s Flagship Initiative on expanding equitable access to medical products, we, with our partners, are supporting countries to strengthen regulation, improve supply chains and scale local production, contributing to more reliable access to medicines and vaccines. Among our regional member states on the African continent, manufacturing capacity is expanding in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, and regional mRNA collaboration is advancing, with Tunisia reaching proof of concept under a WHO-supported initiative. A Regional Vaccine Production Strategy is guiding investment across policy, R&D, manufacturing and regulatory readiness. Together with @ProfJanabi and @WHOAFRO, the @AfricaCDC, @_AfricanUnion, the African Medical Agency (AMA) and partners we continue to work towards more coordinated systems that can turn capacity into real, shared resilience.

WHO’s latest Situation Report (23-30 April) highlights sustained pressure on health systems across the Middle East, driven by displacement, service disruptions and ongoing risks. In Lebanon, health services remain under strain, with continued displacement, high trauma caseloads and gaps in medicine availability. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, large-scale internal relocation is placing pressure on health services, particularly for vulnerable populations. In Iraq and Syria, health systems continue to face constraints linked to supply challenges, population movements and concurrent public health risks. WHO is supporting countries through emergency care, supplies, surveillance and mental health services, while strengthening coordination and preparedness. Sustained support is critical to maintain essential health services. Read the full report: emro.who.int/images/stories…

Thanks to @eu_echo support, WHO ensures Ahmad, Ghazal, and many others can access essential health services at Homs University Hospital — free, timely, and lifesaving. Read on: emro.who.int/syria/news/pat…

With sincere gratitude to @GreeceinLebanon for its generous support in strengthening life-saving and limb-saving hospitalization services in Lebanon.