It takes just one hour to donate blood, but the impact can last a lifetime Donate blood. Save lives. #WorldBloodDonorDay #WHOFides

Today is #WorldBloodDonorDay 🩸🩸 In the field of obstetrics, blood means a lot to us and can be very difficult to come by. Did you know that your blood could save up to three lives? Basic criteria for donating : ✅ You are between 18–65 years old ✅ You weigh at least 50 kg ✅ You are in good health at the time of donation ✅ Your blood pressure, pulse, and haemoglobin levels and some infections will be checked before donating #WorldBloodDonorDay #GiveBlood #WHOFides

Your blood donation could save up to three lives. Wondering if you’re eligible to donate blood? Most healthy adults can give blood: ✅ You are between 18–65 years old ✅ You weigh at least 50 kg ✅ You are in good health at the time of donation ✅ Your blood pressure, pulse, and haemoglobin levels will be checked before donating ⚠️ You may need to wait or may not be eligible if you are unwell, pregnant, have recently had a tattoo or piercing, undergone surgery, have certain medical conditions, or have a relevant travel history. 💡 Eligibility rules vary by country, so always check with your local blood donation service before donating. 🙌 Donating blood is safe, quick, and rewarding—done in just one hour. ❤️‍🩹 Every donation helps build a shared lifeline of solidarity, compassion, and care that saves lives every day. Be someone’s lifeline today—donate blood. Be Mind Full. Be Mindful. #WorldBloodDonorDay #GiveBlood #WHOFides

*World Food Safety Day 2026 | 7 June* *Unsafe food affects millions of people every day and can cause more than 200 diseases.* *Key facts:* 🌍 866 million people fall ill from contaminated food each year ⚠️ An estimated 1.52 million deaths are linked to unsafe food annually 👶🏽 Children under 5 bear 29% of the health burden from unsafe food 🦠 Foodborne illnesses can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and harmful chemicals *Many foodborne illnesses can be prevented with simple everyday habits:* 🧼 Keep clean—wash hands, surfaces, and utensils regularly ➗ Separate raw and cooked foods ♨️ Cook thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, and seafood 🌡️ Keep food at safe temperatures—don't leave food in the danger zone (5°C–60°C) 💦 Use safe water and raw materials—always check their freshness and source 🍽️ Food safety is everyone's responsibility—let's take action to protect health and save lives. #WorldFoodSafetyDay #WHOFides

It looks like a mint. It delivers nicotine directly to a teenager’s bloodstream. And nobody in the room knows. ZYN. Nicotine pouches. The fastest-growing tobacco product among youth. Multiple countries have banned them. Big Tobacco named one after Zen. Talk to your kids about this, by name. ⚠️ In Lebanon, the pouches are (so far) freely sold (even in pharmacies) without any restriction or regulation. #TobaccoExposed #WorldNoTobaccoDay #WHOFides #WNTD2026

*World Nutrition Day 2026 | 28 May* Healthy diets are key to long-term health and well-being. This #WorldNutritionDay, *encourage your communities to make small, sustainable choices* that support healthier eating. 🥦 ⚠️ Over *2.5 billion adults are overweight, while 390 million are underweight*, and undernutrition contributes to nearly half of all deaths in children under 5. *Core principles of a healthy diet:* ⚖️ Adequacy: meeting the body’s nutritional needs 🥗 Balance: balancing energy intake and nutrients 🍭 Moderation: limiting excess sugar, salt and unhealthy fats 🌈 Diversity: eating a variety of nutritious foods *What a healthy diet looks like:* 🥦 Include plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts 🧂 Limit salt to less than 5 g per day 🥤 Reduce free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake 🍟 Minimize saturated fats and eliminate trans fats 🚱 Avoid sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods 💚 Small healthy habits can have a powerful impact on lifelong health. #WHOFides

*World Hypertension Day 2026 | 17 May* Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects billions worldwide and is a major cause of heart disease, stroke and premature death. *Key facts:* 🌍 Around 1.4 billion people live with hypertension ⚠️ Nearly half are unaware they have it 📉 Only around 1 in 4 adults with hypertension have it under control 🫀 Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease *Risk factors:* 🔹 Older age and genetics 🔹 Being overweight or obese 🔹 Physical inactivity 🔹 High-salt diet 🔹 Tobacco and alcohol use 🔹 Air pollution 🩺 *Most people with hypertension do not experience symptoms,* making regular blood pressure checks essential. *Simple habits can make a big difference:* 🥗 Eat healthier foods with less salt 🚶 Stay active 🚭 Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol 💊 Take medicines as prescribed ❤️‍🩹 Checking your blood pressure can help detect hypertension early and prevent serious complications. #WorldHypertensionDay #WHOFides

International Nurses Day 2026 | 12 May Nurses play a critical role in health care and are often the unsung heroes in health facilities and emergency response. 🌎 With nearly 30 million nurses worldwide, they make up more than half of the global health workforce. Yet many face rising mental health challenges and overwhelming workloads as they continue to care for others every day. Key concerns: WHO estimates a shortage of 4.5 million nurses by 2030 In 2025, 46% of nurses reported burnout & over 60% experienced anxiety or depression 86% reported workplace violence or aggression Global health systems risk collapse if nurse well-being is not urgently prioritized. What’s driving the crisis: 🔹 Long shifts and chronic understaffing 🔹 Workplace violence and emotional strain 🔹 Burnout and poor work-life balance 🔹 Limited recovery time and mental health support Read more here: 🔗 bit.ly/4dh5HnJ #IND2026 #WHOFides

On #InternationalNursesDay, we honour nurses everywhere - the steady hands and brave hearts of healthcare. This year, I especially stand with the nurses of Iran, who have carried care through fear, pressure and hardship. And I think of those who have lost their lives in the most brutal of ways. Your courage is a light no darkness can silence •─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────• #IranNurses #IranMedics #IranMassacre #Internationalnursesday2026 @AmnestyIran #WHOFides #IranWar #Iran

🌍 *Health News Update: Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship* As discussions about the reported *hantavirus outbreak* on a cruise ship continue, here’s what you need to know about the virus and how it spreads. 🐭 People usually get infected through *contact with infected rodents* or their urine, droppings or saliva. While uncommon, limited human-to-human transmission has been reported. *Hantavirus facts:* 🦠 A rare but potentially severe disease that can be deadly 🫁 Can cause severe respiratory illness (HCPS) 📉 HCPS can have a fatality rate of up to 50% 💉 There is currently no specific treatment *Symptoms usually begin 1–6 weeks after exposure:* 🔹 Fever and headache 🔹 Muscle aches 🔹 Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting *Simple prevention steps can greatly reduce risk:* ✅ Avoid rodent exposure ✅ Keep living spaces clean ✅ Store food securely ✅ Practice safe cleaning and good hand hygiene #hantavirus #WHOFides

🚨 HEALTH ALERT: Do you prep raw seafood at home? A newly reported eye condition, POH-VAU, has been linked to CMNV, a virus found in aquatic animals including shrimp/fish which has jumped to humans. This is a severe, treatment-resistant eye disease that can lead to vision loss, and 70 cases have been identified. More info ⬇️ Key: 🔥 Cook seafood thoroughly (heat kills the virus!) 🧤 Wear gloves when handling raw fish, shrimp, or crab 🧼 Wash your hands aggressively 🚫 NEVER touch your eyes while prepping food! · · ─ ·✶· ─ · · #Ophthalmology #OneHealth #PublicHealth #Virus #Uveitis #Glaucoma #Seafood #Sushi #MedEd #ARVO #EyeHealth #WHOFides

You can do everything right in patient care and still cause harm if you miss one critical step: hand hygiene. 🧼 ⚠️ Health care-associated infections remain one of the most common risks in clinical settings.  💡 Many of these infections are preventable — clean your hands at the right moments, every time. 👉 WHO's 5 moments for hand hygiene:
1️⃣ Before touching a patient
2️⃣ Before clean/aseptic procedures
3️⃣ After body fluid exposure risk
4️⃣ After touching a patient
5️⃣ After touching patient surroundings ❗ Remember: gloves do not replace hand hygiene. Every clean pair of hands protects both your patient and you. 🛡️

 #handhygiene #WHOFides

Vaccines have protected families for over 200 years. Today, they protect people at every stage of life and save millions of lives every year. ❤️‍🩹 Why vaccines matter:
🔹 Over 150 million lives saved in the past 50 years
🔹 Protection against more than 30 deadly diseases
🔹 Helping children survive, grow, and thrive
🔹 Supporting longer, healthier lives at every age What’s at risk:
⚠️ Millions of children still miss out on vaccines
⚠️ Some people depend on others for protection 🙌 Your decision makes a difference. Choosing to get vaccinated helps protect you, your loved ones, and your community. 🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/3OLWVGc #WHOFides #VaccinesWork #WorldImmunizationWeek #Lebanon

*World Parkinson’s Day 2026 | 11 April* Parkinson disease (PD) is a *progressive brain condition* affecting movement, mental health, and quality of life. While more common in older adults, it can occur at any age. *Key facts:* 📊 8.5M people lived with PD in 2019 📈 Disability and deaths linked to PD are rising rapidly ⚠️ Cause is unknown—risk increases with family history and exposure to air pollution, pesticides, and solvents 💊 Levodopa/carbidopa is the most effective treatment, but not accessible everywhere *Common symptoms:* 🔹 Tremors and painful muscle contractions 🔹 Difficulty speaking and walking 🔹 Sleep disorders and mental health challenges *Care & support:* 🩺 While there is no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms 🏃 Rehabilitation can improve daily functioning 🤝 Support for families and caregivers is vital ❤️‍🩹 Behind every diagnosis is a person navigating daily challenges—your voice matters. 🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/4tyrYE5 #WorldParkinsonsDay #WHOFides

Health News Update: Health under attack in the Middle East 🚨 The conflict across the Middle East is putting *millions at risk*, with over *4 million people displaced* and rising injuries and deaths. As medical facilities and infrastructure are hit, people are *losing access to the care they need to survive.* *Key health impacts:* 🏥 Attacks on health care, nearly *3 per day in Lebanon*, affecting hospitals, ambulances and health workers. 💧 Damage to water systems, up to *70–100% of drinking water depends on desalination* in some countries. 🏠 Displacement, overcrowded shelters, limiting access to care and increasing infections. 🧠 Rising mental health needs due to violence, loss and instability. ✊ *Health care is not a target. It must be protected.* 🔎 Learn more: bit.ly/3QvAJ3v #WHOFides #Lebanon #لبنان #healthcare

It’s World Health Day! 🔬 Stand with Science In a world facing increasingly complex health threats, science is not optional, it is essential. Evidence, data, facts, and critical thinking are what protect and save lives, guide decisions, and build resilient health systems. As a former anesthesiologist, I’ve witnessed firsthand how science, applied with precision and integrity, can mean the difference between life and loss. Not everything you see online about health is true. ⚠️ Misinformation spreads fast. But behind every vaccine, treatment and health breakthrough is one thing: science. 🔬 This World Health Day, stand with science. ➡️ Choose facts over misinformation. ➡️ Share evidence-based information your community can trust. Because better information leads to better health decisions. 💡 Let’s continue to advocate for truth, support research, and uphold evidence-based care, because health depends on it. #WorldHealthDay #StandWithScience #WHOFides

*World Autism Awareness Day 2026 | 2 April* Autism spectrum disorder is a diverse group of *neurodevelopmental conditions* that affect how people communicate and interact with the world. Bringing both unique strengths and challenges that can impact daily life. ❤️‍🩹 *Key facts*: 📊 In 2021, about 1 in 127 persons had autism 🧠 Signs can be identified in early childhood, but diagnosis is often delayed 🏥 Some people with autism live independently, while others require life-long support *People with autism often face*: 🔹 Differences in intellectual ability, ranging from severe impairment to above-average skills 🔹 Difficulty with social interaction and communication, a focus on details, and unusual reactions to sensations 🔹 Co-occurring conditions including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and ADHD 🌈 Autism is part of human diversity, and everyone has the right to health, dignity and full participation in society. #WorldAutismAwarenessDay #WHOFides

Today on #InternationalDoctorsDay, we honour the legacy of Dr Crawford Long, who first used ether anaesthesia on 30 March 1842, helping transform medicine and surgery forever. This is a day to celebrate the skill, courage and compassion of doctors past and present. 🩺⚕️👩🏻‍⚕️👨🏻‍⚕️ #InternationalDoctorsDay #DoctorsDay2026 #DoctorsDay #WHOFides

*World Tuberculosis Day 2026 | 24 March* Did you know tuberculosis (TB) is the *world’s deadliest infectious disease?* Despite being preventable and curable, it remains a major global health threat. ⚠️ 💔 In 2024, 10.7 million people developed TB, and 1.23 million died from the disease globally. *Key facts:* 🫁 Caused by bacteria that mainly affects the lungs 🗣 Spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit 💊 Treated with antibiotics 🌎 Present in all countries and age groups 🦠 1 in 4 people worldwide carry TB bacteria, but most do not develop the disease 👶 Children and individuals with HIV, diabetes, or malnutrition face a higher risk of developing TB. *Common symptoms include:* 🔹 Persistent cough (sometimes with blood) 🔹 Chest pain 🔹 Fever and night sweats 🔹 Weight loss 🔹 Fatigue or weakness ❤️‍🩹 Early testing and completing treatment are essential to stop transmission and prevent drug-resistant TB. #WorldTBDay #WHOFides

Today is #WorldWaterDay The theme for this year focus on the role #women should have in managing the water crisis, as they are the most impacted by the lack of water. In particular during displacement and conflict. « The global water crisis affects everyone, but not equally. Where people lack the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, inequalities flourish, with women and girls bearing the brunt. It’s time to centre women and girls in water solutions. » Credit to @UN #WHOFides