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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 MV Hondius off Praia, the capital of Cabo Verde. Photo: AFP
Disease

Suspected hantavirus outbreak on Atlantic cruise ship leaves 3 dead

The WHO is investigating a cluster of cases aboard the MV Hondius, a polar cruise ship now positioned off Cabo Verde.

Disease

WHO approves first malaria treatment for babies

Bangladesh

Vaccine coverage gaps spur Bangladesh’s deadly measles outbreak

Hong Kong society

Health chief hails tobacco control efforts as smoking rate falls to 8.5%

Prevalence of daily cigarette smokers aged 15 and older fell from 9.1 per cent in 2023.

The smoking rate in Hong Kong has reached a historic low following a continuous decline in recent years. Photo: Jelly Tse
Bangladesh

Bangladesh targets 1 million children for vaccination as measles spreads

Health ministry figures show 17 confirmed deaths, 113 suspected ‌deaths and over 7,500 suspected infections nationwide.

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh recovers 24 bodies after bus plunges into river

The bus had around 50 passengers, many of whom managed to escape.

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Africa

64 killed – including 13 children – in attack on Sudan hospital, WHO says

Healthcare facilities have been a regular target throughout the war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus looks on during a press conference in Geneva in December 2024. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

‘Black rain’: Iran war’s toxic pollution will spread and last for years

Missiles and bombs contain pollutants which are released into the air, soil and water when they explode and crash, posing many health risks.

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US, Israel war on Iran

WHO warns of toxic ‘black rain’ in Iran after strikes on oil facilities

There have been reports of oil-laden rain, and a ‘massive’ amount of hydrocarbons and other compounds have been released into the air.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong launches 3-year action plan to help residents fight the flab

Proportion of Hongkongers who are obese or overweight has been rising in recent decades.

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There are many forms of exercise to help with weight loss, experts say. Photo: Eugene Lee
Disease

Opinion | Nipah and mpox expose Asia’s urgent need for stronger disease surveillance

Many Asian countries face barriers in building effective disease surveillance networks, including relying on shrinking external funding.

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A passenger is checked with a thermal imager at Indonesia’s Soekarno Hatta International Airport, after India confirmed two cases of the deadly Nipah virus, in Tangerang near Jakarta, Indonesia, on January 30. Photo: Reuters
Wellness

All about TCM’s ‘miracle pill’ Angong Niuhuang Wan, and when not to take it

The prized Angong Niuhuang Wan is thought to help stroke victims if taken at the right time. But when is that, and can it harm you?

Malaysia

‘Just ask for it’: Malaysia’s vape crackdown fails to break the habit

An estimated 1.4 million Malaysian adults vape, despite existing curbs. Many say new laws will simply push them back to cigarettes.

China-Africa relations

China helps Zimbabwe grow US$1.2 billion tobacco crop amid debt, health concerns

As Zimbabwe’s largest agricultural export and a primary foreign currency earner, tobacco dominates its trade with Beijing.

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Tobacco is Zimbabwe’s largest agricultural export and a primary foreign currency earner, dominating its trade with Beijing. Last season, it produced 352.7 million kilograms of tobacco. Photo: Getty Images
Malaysia

Malaysia risks under-reporting of TB cases as ‘slow-burn epidemic’ persists

The World Health Organization says the number of TB infections in Malaysia relative to the population is higher than official figures.

A doctor looking at an X-ray for signs of lung disease, such as tuberculosis. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Repurposed kidney drug may offer hope to infertile women, Hong Kong study finds

Researchers say finerenone may provide affordable treatment with few side effects for women affected by premature ovarian insufficiency.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Outside In | Apec’s quiet cooperation still matters in a noisy, divided world

Year-round, multiple intensive working meetings keep the forum an ‘engine room’ of cooperation, reflecting its commitment to multilateralism.

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Israel-Gaza war

Gaza’s Rafah crossing sees ‘limited’ reopening amid truce, but challenges remain

Restoring the Rafah-Egypt crossing is a vital milestone for the peace process, concluding the long closure enforced by the Israeli military.

Ambulances wait in line at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Palestinian Gaza Strip on Monday. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Editorial | Hong Kong right to remain vigilant against Nipah virus spread

While the virus outbreak has reportedly been contained to the Indian state of West Bengal, precautionary measures and international cooperation are vital.

India

Nipah cases in India raise regional anxiety but experts say escalation unlikely

The virus’s high fatality rate has prompted precautionary measures across Asia, even as analysts say the outbreak remains limited.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

‘Don’t blindly follow’ US changes to infant vaccines, Hong Kong parents told

Warning comes after US health authorities scaled back routine child vaccine recommendations, leaving key shots to parental choice.

Hong Kong health authorities have warned parents not to “blindly follow” overseas changes to childhood immunisation schedules. Photo: Getty Images
Israel-Gaza war

Unicef delivers school kits to Gaza after 2.5-year Israel blockade

Thousands of school kits reach Gaza as Unicef confirms Israel lifts blockade that left children learning without pencils or books.

Students attend a class at Al-Shamal Educational School, located just 100 metres from the “Yellow Line” in Jabalia Refugee Camp on January 12. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Explainer | Worth the weight? What Hongkongers should know about slimming injections

Department of Health says prescription-only injections can only be sold in pharmacies under supervision of registered pharmacists.

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

Readers discuss the US’ pull-out from 66 international organisations, Trumponomics, and Hong Kong’s appeal as a financial centre.

US President Donald Trump reacts to a question from a reporter after signing a series of executive orders at the White House on February 10. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Donald Trump

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

Many are groups and treaties the US president’s team has categorised as catering to diversity and ‘woke’ initiatives, such as climate talks.

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US President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to address House Republicans at their annual issues conference retreat at the Kennedy Centre on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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