LIVE NOW: WHO media briefing on global health issues ⬇️

https://x.com/drtedros/status/1852354854007775384?s=46&t=BffO9hoLsgnerA7oEU29iQ

Trick or treat?

This #Halloween, my colleagues and I are inviting you to spook the scary diseases away.

My tricks: 10,000 steps a day, no sugar in my tea and coffee, no extra salt in my food.

Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza is still under siege, but we managed to get in touch with the staff. Three health workers and another employee have been injured, 44 health workers have been detained and four ambulances damaged. Around 600 patients, health workers and individuals are currently sheltering in the hospital.

The siege and attacks on health workers occurred just hours after the WHO-led mission which delivered essential supplies to keep the facility operational and took critical patients to Al-Shifa Hospital.

We urge for hospitals, health workers and patients to be protected. Ceasefire!

On World Polio Day, I have one urgent ask for world leaders: please join Team #EndPolio.

Your leadership, political will, and investment are critical to protect every last child from polio in Afghanistan, in Pakistan, in Gaza.

To deliver vaccines, we need safe passage. To ensure their futures, we need peace.

Let's unite for both: vaccines and peace. The world’s children are counting on us.

Six environmental samples of variant poliovirus type 2 have been detected from Khan Younis and Deir al Balah in Gaza. No paralytic cases have been detected.

WHO, the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, UNRWA and partners are conducting a risk assessment on the scope of poliovirus spread and the necessary response to stop any further spread, including prompt vaccination campaigns.

Prior to the conflict, #polio vaccination rates in Gaza were optimal.

The decimation of the health system, lack of security, access obstruction, constant population displacement, shortages of medical supplies, poor quality of water and weakened sanitation are increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio. This poses a risk for children and creates the perfect environment for diseases like polio to spread.

A ceasefire is essential to allow an effective response.