Life-saving medicines blocked as killing in Gaza continues
22/5/2026: Since the October 2025 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, at least 880 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip. The World Health Organization reports that rodent infestations and the spread of infectious disease are being made worse by blockages of essential medical supplies.
Source: UN News
Why Ebola shows we must finish the pandemic treaty now
21/5/2026: Ebola is a zoonotic disease, driven by human activity at the interface between people, animals, and the environment. We remain locked in a cycle of response rather than prevention. This is precisely the cycle the pandemic treaty was designed to break. Negotiations have stalled and a final agreement may not be reached until the World Health Assembly in 2027.
Source: Devex
The world is on the edge of even greater pandemic damage
18/5/2026: A Board established in 2018 in response to global health crises has warned that efforts over the last decade are being offset by rising geopolitical fragmentation, ecological disruption, and the fall in development assistance to levels not seen since 2009. The report emphasizes that the real, near term risk of another pandemic would strike a world more divided, more indebted and less able to protect its people than it was a decade ago.
Source: Global Preparedness Monitoring Board
Ebola outbreak in Central Africa declared a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’
17/5/2026: Whilst the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is serious, it does not currently meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency. However, the World Health Organization has stressed that the outbreak poses a risk to neighbouring countries due to high population mobility, trade links and ongoing humanitarian challenges.
Source: UN News
Global health gains face threat of reversal
13/5/2026: The World Health Statistics 2026 report sends a clear message: while global health efforts are delivering results, the world remains off track to achieve any of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Accelerated action, stronger health systems, and improved data are urgently needed to renew progress.
Source: World Health Organization
3000 attacks on health care in Ukraine since Russian invasion
8/5/2026: During 1534 days of war, Ukraine’s health-care system has experienced more than 3000 attacks, of which approximately 20% have been on ambulances and other health vehicles. Every one of these attacks is a violation of international humanitarian law.
Source: World Health Organization
US lawmakers push back as Trump administration blocks $600M for vaccines
7/5/2026: Despite Congress approving $600 million for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has imposed a condition that Gavi must abandon vaccines with a mercury-containing preservative. A bipartisan group of senators is urging the State Department to reinstate U.S. contributions.
Source: Devex
WHO prequalifies first-ever malaria treatment for newborns and infants
24/4/2026: The World Health Organization has announced a significant step forward in the fight against malaria with the prequalification of a treatment developed specifically for newborns and young infants. Until now, infants with malaria have been treated with formulations intended for older children, which increase the risk of dosing errors and side effects.
Source: World Health Organization
WHO reports measurable global health improvements in 2025
23/4/2026: The World Health Organization has released its annual Results Report, highlighting measurable improvements in people’s health worldwide in 2025, despite funding cuts affecting the global health sector. An estimated 300 million people were living healthier lives in 2025 than the previous year.
Source: World Health Organization
Rising anger over one-sided US health funding pacts with African countries
27/2/2026: At least 17 African countries have signed bilateral agreements with the current US administration, collectively securing $11.3bn in health aid. But there is growing outrage at US demands to share biological resources and patient data, and other conditions.
Source: The Guardian