This year, there have already been 821 attacks on health care with 1121 deaths and 645 injuries of health workers and patients. Today is #WorldHumanitarianDay. WHO calls for active protection and respect of health care, ensuring safe and continued delivery of healthcare services and access to healthcare, free from violence, threat or fear. #ActForHumanity

🤝 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗮𝘇𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 In the midst of immense suffering in #Gaza, acts of solidarity and compassion continue to save lives. This week, 38 critically sick or injured patients were evacuated for urgent care to three countries — bringing the 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝟵𝟭𝟵. In this most recent medical evacuation 𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆 has taken 31 patients, 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝘂𝗺 has taken 5, and 𝗧𝘂̈𝗿𝗸𝗶𝘆𝗲 has taken 2. 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗮 also deserves special mention for providing air transport to Brussels for patients heading to Belgium and Türkiye. 🙏 My deepest gratitude to the governments, health and humanitarian workers who have made this possible. 🩺 But the needs are immense, and rising. The number of patients now needing urgent medical evacuation from Gaza stands at over 14,800. ✈️ We must accelerate medical evacuations for those trapped in war zones without access to essential treatment. ❤️ Every day counts. Every life matters. @WHO_Europe @eu_echo @SLOVAKIAinEU @ItalyMFA @ItalyMFA_int @BelgiumMFA @MFATurkiye

In August, we focus on the topic of #HealthSecurity, and how emergency prevention, preparedness and response efforts in our region keep us safer. Maximizing health security is a proposed health priority for the second European programme of Work.

Had a valuable exchange with Mr. Michal Štofko, State Secretary for Health of Slovakia, on how @WHO_Europe can adapt the scale & scope of its country presence to better support national priorities. We discussed ways to move forward - avoiding duplication while not compromising on impact. WHO/Europe is going back to basics: containing costs, mobilizing resources, restructuring for the future and focusing on what matters most – protecting the most vulnerable. Full transparency with Member States, accountability and innovation – these principles will guide us as we build a WHO/Europe that is more responsive to current needs and better prepared for future challenges. We also discussed reestablishing the @WHO Collaborating Centre on Tuberculosis in Vyšné Hágy and I welcomed Slovakia’s support for this important initiative. Ďakujeme, Slovensko, za vaše pokračujúce partnerstvo! #HealthForAll

🚨 How do we prepare Europe’s health systems for radiological & nuclear emergencies? On 17–19 June #WHO joined 🇸🇰 experts, #DG SANTE & #EU4H @ Energoland Mochovce for hands-on #CBRN health security training. Real risks need real readiness.
#HealthSecurity #EmergencyPreparedness

Minimum Operational Standards and Typology (MOST) for Rapid Response Mobile Laboratories by @WHO iris.who.int/handle/10665/38…

World Health Organization has launched: Guidance on #MentalHealth Policy and Strategic Action Plans who.int/publications/i/item/…

125M people in the WHO European Region live with mental health conditions, yet many face stigma, workforce shortages & service gaps. WHO/Europe’s new policy brief offers solutions to scale up mental health care in PHC. 📅 Join the launch on 10 Apr! 🔗 who.int/europe/news-room/eve…

🚼 #WorldHealthDay2025 marks the start of a year-long campaign on maternal & newborn health. We must act now to end preventable deaths & ensure all mothers & babies get the care they deserve. 🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3XN5Ici #HealthyBeginningsHopefulFutures

.@WHO_Europe has signed a US$10M grant agreement with @aseforg and @MofaJapan_en to support critical emergency #health response in Ukraine 🇺🇦 & refugee-hosting countries. With this funding, @WHO will: ✅ Strengthen trauma and emergency medical services in #Ukraine ✅ Help prevent & control the spread of infectious diseases and ensure continuity of care ✅ Support refugee-hosting countries - Poland, Moldova, Romania, Czechia, Bulgaria & Slovakia – in preventing disease outbreaks and improving access to care The response will focus on war-affected regions in Ukraine, prioritizing areas with the most urgent needs. In times of crisis, this partnership stands as a powerful testament to our shared commitment to #HealthForAll. @MoH_Ukraine @ViktorLiashko @MFA_Ukraine @andrii_sybiha

Just launched: Our new @WHO Guidance on #MentalHealth Policy & Strategic Action Plans. Access the Guidance here: who.int/publications/i/item/… Special thanks to @MOFAkr_eng & @PTMissionGeneva for their support! #QualityRights @netshrink @ahmedhankir @DrTedros

People with lived experience of mental health conditions must be at the centre of #MentalHealth policy & service design. WHO’s new guidance sets out how people with lived experience should be involved in shaping systems that meet their needs & improve care. bit.ly/4lgVjjk

We are with you in our hearts North Macedonia @WHOMKD #Kocani

.@WHO _Europe has brought together Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and senior public health officials from 21 Member States, representing over 250 million people, to: ✅ Build a community of practice ✅ Share challenges they face ✅ Discuss real, practical solutions This marks the launch of Tier 3 of the Pan-European Leadership Academy (ELA) – a safe space for frank discussions, peer learning & action-driven collaboration. ELA is more than a leadership development programme – it’s the start of a strong, connected network of health leaders who will continue working together. We need new approaches, bold leadership & clear communication to address today’s challenges, such as chronic diseases, ageing populations, workforce shortages, climate change, declining trust in public health. That’s why Tier 3 has been tailored to real-world needs. I am grateful to Professor @WRicciardi for turning the concept into reality. We’ve taken a deep dive into misinformation and mistrust, with insights from @ProfHeidiLarson, and will explore the impact of social media on youth mental health. Sharing openly, listening actively and supporting each other, we are leading the way to #UnitedActionforBetterHealth! #HealthForAll

#CervicalCancer is preventable and curable if detected early. Health workers play a pivotal role by: ➡️ delivering HPV #vaccinations, ➡️ providing screening and treatment for women and girls, especially in underserved communities. @IARCWHO @myESMO @uicc @EuropeanCancer

#ECDC’s director Dr Pamela Rendi-Wagner met with @hans_kluge today to discuss their visions for the next few years and strengthening cooperation with @WHO_Europe to further improve the critical work we do together to address the numerous public health challenges Europe faces.

🇺🇸🤝🇸🇰 Today, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Regional Refugee Coordinator Mr. Scott Lang met with repre of Slovakia's Ministry of Health, National Cancer Institute & WHO to discuss advancements and challenges in cancer care.

WHO/Europe has a vision that by 2030, persons with disabilities and their needs will be fully included and considered in all health care planning, delivery and leadership. Read more on @WHO_Europe’s Framework for action for persons with disabilities: bit.ly/3OAQVwb

Diabetes is better managed together. 👉 Ask how you can support the people in your life with diabetes. 👂 Listen to what they need—or do not need—from you. 🚫 Remember, blaming and shaming is not helpful. bit.ly/40QWn5o #WorldDiabetesDay

Health system #resilience, #preparedness 2.0, Emergency Medical Teams #EMT & #innovation for #publichealth at the centre of attention on the @WHO 74 Regional Committee for #Europe #RC74 held in Copenhagen. #Slovakia bilateral dialogue focused on health financing.