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World Health Organization (WHO)

World Health Organization (WHO)
The latest news, analysis and opinion on World Health Organization (WHO). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The World Health Organization logo is seen outside the agency’s headquarters in Geneva in December 2021. Photo: AFP
United States

US walks away from WHO, leaving unpaid tab of US$260 million

Without its top donor, the UN health agency’s work to contain diseases like HIV, polio and Ebola is at risk.

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Donald Trump

Letters | Trump’s multilateral retreat gives China mixed opportunities

Donald Trump

Trump pulls US out of dozens of international organisations, UN agencies

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Israel

UN accuses Israel of subjecting Palestinians in West Bank to ‘apartheid’

For first time, UN rights chief labels situation in occupied Palestinian territories ‘apartheid’, a term previously used only by UN experts.

Israeli security forces check Palestinians’ IDs as they line up to return to Jenin through a gap in a security fence in September 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Editorial | Hong Kong, WHO must overcome hepatitis threat together

The city is doing its part to aid the global health body’s efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a threat to public health by 2030.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hongkongers urged to get flu shots as city braces for winter virus wave

Centre for Health Protection’s appeal coincides with infectious disease expert’s concerns over low vaccination rates in the community.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel to ban several aid groups from Gaza in 2026 over vetting rules

Israel says suspensions are meant to prevent Hamas from exploiting aid, but humanitarian groups say it will harm civilians.

Palestinians pass along a street surrounded by buildings destroyed during Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City. Photo: AP
China-Africa relations

Washington lines up health deals as US and China vie for access to Africa

Signatories must guarantee that genetic sequence data and samples from potential outbreaks are shared with the US within 5 days of detection.

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United Nations

‘World stands at a crossroads’: UN chief issues grim New Year message

Antonio Guterres laments US$2.7 trillion global arms race and urges leaders to choose ‘people and planet over pain’ in 2026.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Explainer | As ‘super flu’ spreads worldwide, how can Hongkongers protect against it?

Researchers find 82.8 per cent of flu specimens collected from Queen Mary Hospital between December 6 and 11 were subclade K.

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Residents wear masks inside a shopping centre in Tai Kok Tsui. Photo: Karma Lo
Israel-Gaza war

UN declares Gaza famine over, but ‘situation remains critical’

Meanwhile, Oxfam says hunger in Gaza remains ‘appalling and preventable’, accusing Israel of blocking aid from humanitarian agencies.

Displaced Palestinians gather to collect portions of cooked food at a charity distribution in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip in May. Photo: TNS
Diplomacy

Outside In | Six years on, are we better prepared for the next pandemic?

Preparedness plans remain a work in progress while health budgets have been sliced by urgent demands and US withdrawal weakens global coordination.

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Israel-Gaza war

‘My future is paralysed’: Gaza amputees desperate to walk again

The World Health Organization estimates there are some 5,000 to 6,000 amputees from the Israel-Gaza war, 25 per cent of them children.

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Britain

UK ‘super flu’ crisis and doctors’ strike spark ‘worst-case’ Christmas fears

Flu cases hit record highs with a 55 per cent weekly jump as the NHS faces a planned doctors’ strike next week.

A record flu surge and looming doctors’ strike is threatening to put a strain on the UK’s health system. Photo: Shutterstock
Vietnam

‘I have to wear a mask all the time’: Hanoi’s smog hits crisis levels

On Thursday, Hanoi was the world’s fourth most-polluted city, with officials citing vehicles, industry, and crop burning for the poor air quality.

People wearing face masks in Hanoi, Vietnam on December 4. Vietnam’s capital is advising residents to limit outdoor activities on poor air quality days. Photo: Xinhua
Britain

New mpox strain found in UK after travel to Asia

New recombinant mpox strain raises concerns over global spread and viral evolution.

Africa

63 children among 114 dead in strikes on Sudan kindergarten, hospital: WHO

Reports paramedics were also targeted during rescue efforts, as WHO director general condemns attack.

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India

New Delhi’s smog surge linked to 200,000 respiratory cases

Acrid smog chokes Delhi’s skyline each winter, when cool air traps a deadly mix of pollutants from crop burning, factories, and traffic.

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Buildings are shrouded in smog, in New Delhi, India, on November 29. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

Thais in good spirits after government lifts ban on afternoon alcohol sales

The eased rules permit alcohol sales from 11am to midnight during the six-month trial period.

Environment

No more mercury in your mouth: toxic metal’s use as tooth filling to end by 2034

The move is a win for human health: the WHO lists mercury as one of the top 10 chemical elements of major public health concern.

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Earthquakes

International condolences pour in after deadly Afghanistan earthquake

A powerful 6.3 earthquake hit northern Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least 20 and injuring hundreds.

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People stand on the debris of damaged buildings, in the aftermath of an earthquake in Samangan province, Afghanistan on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Africa

Sudan war sparks global alarm after hundreds killed at hospital

The Rapid Support Forces have been accused of mass executions and other atrocities after capturing the provincial capital of North Darfur state.

Satellite imagery shows objects on the ground at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan, where killings occurred. Photo: Airbus DS 2025 via AP
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong biotech firm to back controversial sanitary pad HPV test with evidence

Dr Choi Pui-wah, founder of WomenX Biotech, also says she remains optimistic about Hong Kong as a tech destination despite government warning.

Africa

UN rights chief warns of ethnically motivated ‘atrocities’ in Sudan’s El-Fasher

Volker Turk said ‘urgent and concrete action’ was needed to protect civilians as paramilitary forces said they had taken control of the city.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong warns against HPV screenings involving sanitary pad self-collection

Department of Health says it is addressing claims made by businesses, citing ‘insufficient’ scientific evidence for such methods.

The Department of Health has warned against cervical screening methods that lack sufficient scientific evidence. Photo: Centre for Health Protection
India

India’s capital celebrates Diwali cloaked in a blanket of acrid smog

Levels of cancer-causing PM2.5 microparticles have soared to more than 16 times the WHO’s recommended safe limit.

People walk through smog in New Delhi, India, on Monday morning. Photo: Reuters
Science

Top biomedical scientist Hu Ye quits US to take up founding role in China

Hu has been appointed founding dean at the new school of biomedical engineering at his alma mater, Tsinghua University.

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Israel-Gaza war

Aid resumes in Gaza with Rafah crossing set to reopen after hostage body dispute

The dispute over the return of bodies still has the potential to upset the ceasefire deal, along with other yet to be resolved issues.

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