Peter van Heusden (he/him) 🇵🇸🇨🇩🇸🇩🏳️‍🌈🗿

In the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher, starving children eat animal feed, doctors shelters in foxholes and drones fire on approaching U.N. food convoys. nytimes.com/2025/09/15/wor…

Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare   PRESS RELEASE Abuja, Nigeria 17 May 2025   PROF. MUHAMMAD ALI PATE CONGRATULATES DR. CHIKWE IHEKWEAZU ON WHO APPOINTMENT The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, extends his warmest congratulations to Dr. ChikweIhekweazu on his appointment as Executive Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme. Dr. Ihekweazu, who succeeds Dr. Mike Ryan, brings deep expertise in global health security and epidemic intelligence. His appointment comes at a time when the world urgently needs principled, effective leadership to respond to complex and growing public health emergencies. Prof. Pate described the appointment as “the right choice at the right time,” especially in these uncertain times marked by pandemics, climate-related health threats, and fragile health systems. “Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu is an exceptional leader and a loyal team player. I am confident that his tenure will further strengthen global health security and emergency preparedness. His visionary leadership, experience, and unwavering dedication to public health will serve the world well,” said Prof. Pate.   “The world is changing rapidly, and the future of global health depends on bold, trusted, and compassionate leadership. Dr. Ihekweazu embodies all of this—and more. The WHO has made an excellent choice.”   The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare celebrates this proud milestone and reaffirms its full support for Dr. Ihekweazu as he assumes this vital global role.   Alaba Balogun Deputy Director Information & PR @muhammadpate @Chikwe_I @DrTedros @WHO @WHOAFRO @WHONigeria

We've reached an awful and grim moment in #Gaza. @WFP food supplies inside the Strip have run out, even though there is enough food to feed a million people positioned in aid corridors but cannot reach those in need. The situation is the same with medical supplies. They are running out, while 16 @WHO trucks wait to enter. This aid blockade must end. Lives depend on it.

Today, WHO handed over essential medical supplies and equipment to hospitals in #Virunga and #Kyeshero, Goma, DRC, to support healthcare services amid ongoing humanitarian and health crises. These supplies will help strengthen medical care, ensuring access to essential treatments and medication for those affected by respiratory infections, diarrhoea, malaria, and minor injuries. They are expected to benefit approx. 30,000 people in six health facilities over the next three months.

The Al Jazeera Conference said on Thursday that 8,000 people were killed and tens of thousands injured in Sudan's Al Jazeera state during the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) control of the area. sudantribune.com/article297029/

I have appointed Dr @Chikwe_I as acting @WHOAFRO Regional Director until the new Regional Director is nominated and appointed by the Executive Board following the World Health Assembly. Chikwe joined @WHO in 2021 and is currently Assistant Director General and Deputy Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme in Geneva. Prior to joining WHO, he was the first Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. I am confident that the Region is in very capable hands. #EB156