world news
The 15 COVID-19 Questions every Health Minister should be asking
#WorldHealthOrganization – March 3, 2020 — A string of questions and whether they can be answered in the affirmative will give governments and citizens of the countries of the world clear perspective about readiness for COVID-19, the new coronavirus which has claimed over 3,100 lives in its three-month existence.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, World Health Organisation Director General listed the probing questions during a news conference on Thursday February 27, 2020.
Dr. Ghebreyesus informed the watching world that the earnest and honest response of the various Ministers of Health will be the indicator of a country’s true preparedness for the coronavirus.
The first question points to an eventuality that many countries either hope or had hoped would never come; the arrival of COVID-19 within its borders.
Question one: “Are we ready for the first case?”
The second question is a natural follow-up and asks: “What will we do when the first case arrives?”
Since no one wants to see a community spread of coronavirus, the Director General pointed to the next focus which, according to him, must be: “Do we have an isolation unit ready to go?”
The rapid rate at which COVID-19 has infected people of countries around the world has stretched capacity; human and supplies alike.
Dr. Ghebreyesus advised, Health Ministers must literally check stock and question, “Do we have enough medical oxygen, ventilators and other vital equipment?”
Travel and global connectivity by air and sea have made this virus go viral in record time; it is nearly impossible to ascertain who is where and where people may end up.
The Director General is asking for health care leaders to consider this mobility of people in their plans, with this question: “How will we know if there are cases in other areas of the country?”
Establishing protocols in the public and private sector is also critical, especially for medical professionals.
The question should be: “Is there a reporting system that all health facilities are using and a way to raise an alert if there is a concern?”
Additionally, the question: “Do our health workers have the training and equipment they need to stay safe?”
Thousands of health care workers have been sickened by coronavirus, some have also died.
Standard practices must also be established among these health practitioners and the WHO advises that it should be asked: “Do our health workers know how to take samples correctly from patients?”
Travel restrictions, advisories and bans have been imposed in order to contain the spread of coronavirus. The $7.6 trillion travel and tourism industry, despite being a significant economic driver, has been put second place when possible infections have turned up at borders; doors are being slammed shut on plane and boat loads of passengers.
Dr. Ghebreyesus said Health Ministers must ensure they can satisfactorily answer this question, which is: “Do we have the right measures at airports and border crossings to test people who are sick?”
Accuracy and expediency are also sought after, as health care system managers aim to determine as soon as possible who is or is not carrying COVID-19.
The WHO offered this question to assist proficiency: “Do our labs have the right chemicals that allow them to test samples?”
It has been widely communicated that COVID-19 has proven fatal for the elderly and those with serious pre-existing health conditions. Medical teams must know: “Are we ready to test patients with severe or critical disease?”
Another question helps to circumvent complications for Coronavirus patients; “Do our hospitals and clinics have the right procedures to prevent and control infections?”
Already, there are disturbing accounts of fear-filled citizens who are rowdily rejecting their own people due to well-founded concerns of contracting the potentially deadly COVID-19. The WHO is strongly advocating against stigmatization and asks Health leaders to consider this…
“Do our people have the right information; do they know what the disease looks like? In 90 percent (of patients) it is a fever and in 70 percent (of patients) it is a dry cough.”
Fake news and fear-mongering are popular but counter-productive pastimes for far too many individuals in this social media age. Dr. Ghebreyesus challenges leaders to come up with a strategy for media messaging.
“Are we ready to fight rumors and misinformation with clear and simple messages that people can understand?”
The final and fifteenth question is likely the most critical.
“Are we able to have our people on our side to fight this outbreak?”
The war being waged against COVID-19 is futile without community buy-in. Messages about hygiene and trust of people to self-quarantine are all dependent upon a symbiotic relationship hinged on a shared desire of governments and people to preserve the health of the nation. The impact of the coronavirus has proven this healthiness encompasses both human lives and the economies which sustain them.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#USA, August 11, 2023 – The United States official clarified their stance following Kenya’s announcement to consider leading a multinational force to Haiti to help pacify the gang ridden nation, saying that while the US is prepared to introduce a resolution for a multinational force themselves, they are waiting on Kenya to specify and detail the help needed upon their planned visit to the Republic, to assess the situation.
This was revealed at a virtual press briefing on Friday August 4th, 2023, held by Barbara Feinstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti Bureau of the Western Hemisphere.
Feinstein gave insight into the worsening atmosphere in Haiti, highlighting “additional atrocities committed by gangs,” and these include “indiscriminate attacks on women and children such as sexual and gender-based violence, widespread kidnappings and extortion,” alongside “other means of harassment.”
She added that these negatively affect food security, the delivery of humanitarian assistance and basic livelihoods.
Additionally, Feinstein pointed out, in response to a question from media, that amid Kenya’s and The Bahamas’ decision regarding the multinational force, other countries have publicly remarked on their willingness to help the struggling democracy back on its feet.
“We have seen similar statements from other countries in the region either formal statements or public comments, and that includes from Trinidad and Tobago, from Jamaica, from The Dominican Republic and the Organization of American States.”
“I think that is evidence that there is strong support for an urgent solution to Haiti’s crisis and offers of support to that end,” she added.
In continuation, the Deputy Assistant (Secretary of State) made sure to highlight that as these decisions are pending, “the US continues to pursue a comprehensive approach in Haiti in support for security, specifically assistance to strengthen, train and equip the Haitian National Police, as well as humanitarian economic and health assistance to improve livelihoods and safeguard critical gains.”
In commending Kenya for taking the lead for the Multinational Force, Feinstein echoed Secretary Antony Blinken, who applauded the African nation for stepping in to consider steering the vehicle to Haiti’s comeback.
Present at the briefing were media representatives from The Bahamas, Guyana, South Africa , the Miami Herald and Reuters.
Photo Caption: On July 25, U.S GENERAL PAYS COURTESY CALL TO THE KDF CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCES AT ULINZI HOUSE. The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Francis Ogolla hosted the Commander U.S Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), General Bryan P. Fenton at the Defence Headquarters, Nairobi.
Credit: Kenya Defence Forces
News
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on the assassination of Ecuadorian Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio
#Ecuador, August 10, 2023 – The Secretary-General strongly condemns the assassination of presidential
candidate of Ecuador, Fernando Villavicencio. Attacks of this nature represent a grave threat to democracy, and those responsible must be brought to justice. The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the Government and the people of Ecuador, especially with the family of Mr. Villavicencio.
The Secretary-General recalls his 21 July meeting with President Guillermo Lasso, with whom he discussed the deterioration of security in Ecuador, the impact of organized crime, and the need to enhance national and international efforts to fight it.
The United Nations stands ready to continue to support the Ecuadorian authorities with a view to addressing the violence in keeping with international human rights norms and standards.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
New York, 10 August 2023
News
Small Island Developing States Are in Hot Water: Here’s What the International Community Must Do to Help
By Li Junhua
August 9, 2023 – The world’s small island developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable countries on the planet. And they are in trouble. Some of them are literally sinking. Or, to be more exact, the waters that surround them are inching higher, threatening to swallow them up.
Those same waters, which for millennia have been their source of food and their channel for transport, is also getting warmer and more acidic, killing fish and coral, and becoming more chaotic in its movements.
SIDS are, in fact, large ocean states: Only 3.5 per cent of the area they control is land, while 96.5 per cent is ocean. The deteriorating state of oceans represent an existential threat to the entire planet and SIDS are at the front-line of this war. If we do not help them turn the tide, then the battle for our future on this planet will be lost.
Island nations face a unique set of challenges due to their small size, remoteness, exposure to natural disasters, and dependence on faraway markets and resources. These challenges are compounded by climate change, volatile global markets and the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic further. The cumulative impact of these challenges
undermines SIDS’ capacity to cope with current challenges, future shocks and crises, and their efforts to build equitable societies.
Next year in Antigua and Barbuda, the United Nations will convene an international conference on the small island developing States. The agenda gives a sense of the urgency of the problem. It will tackle issues like climate change, sea-level rise, and biodiversity loss side-by-side with the global debt crisis and rising inequality. The result will be a new 10-year plan of action for SIDS, one agreed between the small island nations and international partners.
We must use the opportunity of the fourth International Conference on SIDs to help these nations overcome the barriers that hinder their progress and potential. It is our responsibility to help them survive this existential crisis thrust upon them by climate change and outdated global-level systems.
That is why this week in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we are gathering with the governments from 16 Caribbean States, to hear firsthand an assessment of regional progress and their priorities for the new plan.
These assessments will be the foundation for a more ambitious, coherent, and effective global response that recognizes the special needs and circumstances of these countries and provides them with adequate means of implementation, including access to finance, data, technology, capacity-building, and trade.
The United Nations is committed to supporting SIDS in their quest for a more resilient and sustainable future. To most of us, these small islands may seem distant and set apart, small dots on an expansive globe, but we must remember that the problems that SIDS face today are the ones that the rest of the world must confront tomorrow.
Li Jinhua is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
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