World Health Organization South-East Asia

"We are making it too easy to be unhealthy and too difficult to be healthy", said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia, at the 2nd Annual National Obesity Summit 2026 in New Delhi today. Highlighting the role of partnerships and coordinated action in addressing #obesity, she emphasized on ✔️ strengthening prevention; ✔️ policies for labelling, marketing restrictions and taxation; and ✔️ ensuring appropriate, equitable, and financially sustainable access to care. Dr Boehme was addressing a panel discussion on Multisectoral Partnerships to Embed Healthy Lifestyle Approaches. #beatNCDs @BoehmeCatharina

These are 3️⃣ things you should know about #tuberculosis or TB. #endTB

#Dengue is a flu-like illness spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito 🦟 infected with dengue virus. If someone in your family 🏠 has been diagnosed with mild dengue, here's how you can care for them. #HealthForAll

Women’s health is more than reproduction, let’s talk about it. Watch today’s daily dose.

Health threats today increasingly emerge at the human–animal–environment interface. Strengthening One Health field epidemiology capacity is hence critical for preparedness and response. Across the WHO South-East Asia Region, efforts are underway to integrate the One Health Field Epidemiology Competency Framework (COHFE) into national field epidemiology training programmes—bringing together human, animal and environmental health sectors. With support from @WHO and the Quadripartite partners @FAO, @UNEP and @WOAH, these initiatives are helping build a multisectoral workforce equipped to strengthen surveillance, outbreak investigation and risk assessment, and respond more effectively to complex health threats. 🔗: who.int/southeastasia/… #OneHealth #FieldEpidemiology #HealthSecurity #DiseaseSurveillance

Handle antibiotics with care. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as colds and flu. Use them only when prescribed. #AntimicrobialResistance #UseAntibioticsWisely

Stigma-free access to health services is a right of every person. Together, let's stand against TB #stigma and discrimination. #endTB

Tuberculosis is curable! If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or weight loss, don’t ignore them. 📞 Contact your doctor if you 👉🏾 have TB-like symptoms 👉🏾 are a close contact of a TB patient 👉🏾 belong to a high-risk group Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives. Together, we can #EndTB! 🌍 #Tuberculosis #EndTB #HealthForAll #WHOSEARO

Prevent mosquito breeding to prevent #dengue. Simple actions can help reduce risk. #DenguePrevention #HealthForAll

.@WHO invites expressions of interest from public health experts to serve as members of the South-East Asia Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication (SEA-RCCPE). 🧩 Experts with multidisciplinary experience in the following areas are encouraged to apply: ✔️ Facility containment of polioviruses ✔️ Polio transition ✔️ Data, epidemiology and immunization As an independent advisory body, the Commission plays a critical role in safeguarding the Region’s wild poliovirus-free status and advancing progress towards the global goal of polio eradication. Members review country documentation, assess risks of vaccine-derived polioviruses, support laboratory containment efforts, and provide strategic guidance to sustain certification gains. 🔗 Learn more and express interest: who.int/southeastasia/… #PolioEradication #PublicHealth #Immunization #HealthForAll

Antimicrobial resistance (#AMR) is no longer a silent pandemic. It is already reversing decades of progress in global health, particularly in Asia and the Pacific, home to over half of the world’s 🌏 population. The crisis is accelerating: 1⃣ in 6⃣ laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide is now resistant to treatment, with resistance rising each year. This op-ed in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia highlights why stronger regional collaboration and resilient health systems are essential to address AMR and protect progress toward universal health coverage. Read this piece ✍🏼 by Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region, and Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, Regional Director, WHO Western Pacific Region. 🔗: thelancet.com/journals/lanse… #StopAMR #OneHealth #HealthForAll

#VaccinesWork to prevent ✅ Human papillomavirus (HPV), protecting against cervical cancer. Screening plays a vital role in preventing and controlling cervical #cancer. Finally, treatment and palliative care are also essential to ensure comprehensive care. #beatNCDs #cervicalcancer

There is no excuse for abuse. Violence against women has serious and long-term consequences for health and wellbeing. Preventing violence is essential to building safer, healthier communities. Let’s speak up, stand together and act now. #BcozSheMatters 💜

Protect your kidneys by making healthier habits part of your routine. 🥗 Eat healthy 🏃🏼 Stay active ⚖️ Maintain a healthy body weight 🩺 Follow medical advice 🚭 Avoid smoking 🚫 Stay away from alcohol #WorldKidneyDay #KidneyHealth #BeatNCDs #HealthForAll

Small daily choices can make a big difference. ✨ Stay active 🏃🏾‍♀️, eat healthy 🥗, and manage your blood pressure and blood sugar levels 📊. #WorldKidneyDay #KidneyHealth #NCDPrevention #HealthForAll #BeatNCDs

#Climatechange is now both a cause and multiplier of outbreaks, and South-East Asia is uniquely vulnerable. Without rapid stabilizing support, disease elimination gains can be reversed in weeks, making it critical to have #SEARHEF. Early, flexible financing helps countries maintain essential communicable disease and immunization services during crises, prevent backsliding, sustain surveillance sensitivity, and respond quickly to outbreaks before they escalate or cross borders. 🌏🛡️ Listen in to Dr Suman Rijal, Director, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control, WHO South-East Asia, as he addressed a virtual meeting with partners on the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF). #HealthSecurity #OutbreakPreparedness

Investing in preparedness is one of the most cost-effective investments the global community can make, said Manoj Jhalani, Director, Health Systems Development, WHO South-East Asia, at a virtual meeting with partners on the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF). #SEARHEF is beyond a fund, it is a safeguard for resilience, economic stability, and global health security, he said. #HealthSecurity #WHOSouthEastAsia #EmergencyPreparedness

“Rapidly deployable resources are the key to limit the health impact of emergencies. So early, adaptable resources help countries sustain services, contain risks, and prevent escalation, reducing both the human and financial costs," said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu (@Chikwe_I), Executive Director of the @WHO Health Emergencies Programme, during a virtual meeting with partners on the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF). #HealthSecurity #SEARHEF #EmergencyPreparedness

“When health emergencies strike, speed saves lives.” At a virtual briefing for partners, Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region, highlighted how the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) enables rapid response — helping countries act quickly when disasters, outbreaks and crises occur. Since 2008, SEARHEF has supported 50 health emergencies across the Region, providing catalytic funding for early response and continuity of essential health services. Emergency funding protects hard-won health gains and prevents crises from reversing years of progress. #SEARHEF #HealthEmergencies #HealthSecurity

WHO South-East Asia is home to one of the largest concentrations of vaccine manufacturing capacity in the world… Our region is not simply a beneficiary of global vaccine equity — we are a key contributor to it,” said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, @WHOSEARO, at the inauguration of CEPI’s Asia-Pacific Regional Summit. She emphasized that preparedness choices today will shape the response to the next pandemic: • Manufacturing strength must be matched by regulatory readiness.
• Pandemic speed depends on coordination across the vaccine ecosystem.
• Regional regulatory reliance can accelerate access.