Jamal Nasher

Coordinator SDGs & Gender, Equity and Human Rights @ WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

As a mother I’m deeply inspired by the courage of women protecting children’s health in the most difficult circumstances.

This #InternationalWomensDay I am thinking of four remarkable women in Gaza: Dr Ola, Dr Yara, Dr Refqa and Dr Mona, who continued the fight against polio despite conflict, loss and uncertainty, ensuring children receive the protection they deserve.

Read their stories:

🔗 https://t.co/PyWUJoFzEy

@WHOoPt | @GatesMiddleEast | @EndPolioNow | @UNICEF | @Rotary | @gatesfoundation | @Gavi

[WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean @WHOEMRO]

On #InternationalMigrantsDay, we highlight how #ClimateChange is driving mobility and creating urgent health risks for migrants. In the Eastern Mediterranean, extreme heat and water scarcity put people on the move at greater risk.

@WHOEMRO works with @IOM and @UNDRR to ensure access to safe, quality care for all.

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

On #HumanRightsDay, we are reminded that the right to health is a steady anchor in a world of uncertainty.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, too many people, and too many health workers, face daily risks. Attacks on health care violate international law and endanger lives. Health workers, hospitals and ambulances must never be targeted.

Human rights protect us, empower us, and help communities thrive. Everyone deserves dignity, safety and access to quality care without discrimination.

At @WHOEMRO, we stand with all who work to uphold these essential rights, because health is a right that belongs to everyone. #HealthForAll #StandUp4HumanRights

[Jamal Nasher @NasherJamal]

Human Rights Day

Kofi Annan (Former UN Secretary-General): "It is my aspiration that health finally will be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for"

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

Health workers, hospitals and ambulances should NEVER be targets.

Safe access to care must be protected everywhere, for everyone. Human rights are universal, and our right to health goes with us wherever we are.

Learn more 👉https://t.co/WzAOdVWHWw #HumanRightsDay

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

مباشر | الجلسة الافتتاحية للدورة 72 للجنة الإقليمية لمنظمة الصحة العالمية لشرق المتوسط https://t.co/Hnx7ULGfdb

[IDA - World Bank @WBG_IDA]

Global poverty numbers have been revised upward.
New PIP data show 839 million people lived in extreme poverty in 2024—22 million more than earlier estimates. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicenter, with 46% in poverty.

Read the September update: https://t.co/jqZktc7KNK

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

66 000 people have been killed and almost 170 000 have been injured in #Gaza.

@WHO estimates that at least 1/4 of those have life-changing injuries that require immediate and ongoing rehabilitation.

The explosions that cause these injuries also destroy the health facilities and services needed to deal with them.

I call on all parties to this conflict to choose peace, now.

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

I came to #UNGA80 carrying a message from the @WHOEMRO Region:

Peace and health are inseparable, and neither is a luxury.

The high-level International conference on the two-state solution was a historical moment for our Region.

Health is the foundation for peace, dignity and prosperity. Let’s work together to get humanitarian aid into Gaza and rebuild its health system.

[WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean @WHOEMRO]

.@WHOEMRO led a joint Regional Health Alliance (RHA) meeting with @UNODC_ROMENA, @IOM_MENA, @UNICEFmena, @UNAIDS and @Refugees on strengthening public health action on substance use. With only 1 in 13 people receiving treatment for substance use disorders in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the @UN is committed to closing this gap with better monitoring, access and services.

RHA aims to strengthen the synergy of regional UN agencies to strengthening public health action on substance use by:

1⃣developing and aligning agency contributions with country-level support plans
2⃣undertaking joint country missions and supporting country-level policy dialogues
3⃣embracing strategic alignment and joint planning to combat substance use disorders more efficiently and effectively
4⃣embarking on developing joint proposals for resource mobilization
5⃣maximizing activities by using collective resources serving each agency’s objective

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

Happy to see the Regional Health Alliance approach taking shape on the ground in Syria. The new Country Health Alliance in Damascus is a real step forward—bringing partners together, aligning #UN efforts with the national strategy, and making sure support is coordinated and effective. This is exactly how we turn big commitments into real results.
@UN
@UNarabic
@WHO
@WHOEMRO

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

No woman should die giving life.

This year’s #WorldHealthDay – which marks 5 years from the Sustainable Development Goals deadline — will focus on maternal and newborn health.

The campaign will call for a major intensification of efforts to ensure access to high quality care for women and babies, especially in the poorest countries and crisis settings where most maternal deaths occur.

https://t.co/7natMRfsL8

[WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean @WHOEMRO]

Early marriage, rigid societal norms, and economic barriers still dictate women’s futures. These constraints limit education and professional growth, shrinking opportunities for women in the health sector. Ensuring women’s education is an investment in better healthcare.
#IWD2025

[WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean @WHOEMRO]

لا غنى عن الإنصاف في مجال الصحة لتحقيق المساواة بين الجنسين. ويجب أن تحصل المرأة - لا سيّما في البيئات التي تعاني من نقص الخدمات والأوضاع الإنسانية - على رعاية صحية منصفة لبناء عالم أوفر صحة وأكثر عدلًا.

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

This #InternationalWomensDay, we honor the women who make up 67% of the global health workforce – driving healthier societies while facing pay gaps, inequities & sometimes even violence.

Investing in women means stronger health systems, economic growth & a healthier future for all.

#IWD2025

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

Today, the 3rd Regional Health Alliance meeting took place with 18 @UN agencies united under a shared mission: 'One UN Health Agenda.' Together, we aim to:

1️⃣advance primary health care for universal health coverage
2️⃣improve health determinants, reduce risk factors, and foster community engagement
3️⃣enhance responses, especially in health emergencies
4️⃣strengthen research innovation & evidence-informed policy

In line with @WHOEMRO flagship initiatives informed by Member States, we identified complementary actions to drive forward equitable access to medical products, sustainable health workforce, and public health action on substance use.

We look forward to working through the #RHA to achieve a healthier and safer future for all.

#Partners4Health

@UNODC_ROMENA
@CristinaAlbert4

@IOM_MENA
@OthmanBelbeisi

@FAOinNENA_EN
@FAOADG_NENA
@FAOinNENA

@UNHCR_Arabic
@UNHCR_GCC
@AymanGharaibeh

@UNDPArabStates
@mary_kawar

@ITUArabStates
@AdelMDarwish

@UNICEFmena
@E_Beigbeder

@UNHabitat_Ar
@rania_hedeya

@ocharomena
@UNOCHA_ar

@UNFPA_ASRO
@LailaBaker64

@UNESCOarabic

@unwomenarabic
@moezunwomen

@WorldBankMENA
@ousmanedione

@WFP_MENA
@Corinne_WFP

@UNIDO
@patrickgilabert

@UNAIDS

[WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean @WHOEMRO]

@UNODC_ROMENA @UNOCHA_ar @UNICEFmena @UNFPA_ASRO @IOM_MENA @UNHCR_Arabic @WFP_MENA @WorldBankMENA @unwomenarabic 4 thematic groups have been created within RHA to enhance efficiency, collaboration & ultimately impact at country level:
1️⃣Primary Health Care for UHC
2️⃣Health determinants, risk factors & community engagement
3️⃣Health emergencies
4️⃣Research innovation & evidence-informed policy

[WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean @WHOEMRO]

The #RHA was launched in 2020 by 12 UN agencies coordinated by @WHOEMRO. Today the alliance has grown to include the following 18 agencies

[WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean @WHOEMRO]

🌍 Building Stronger Health Systems Together

The WHO-led Regional Health Alliance #RHA will bring together key UN agencies in a landmark meeting hosted by Dr @HananBalkhy.

This event will advance collaboration to tackle pressing health challenges.

[WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean @WHOEMRO]

By uniting stakeholders, this meeting aims to strengthen health systems, promote equitable care, and tackle the Region’s most pressing challenges head-on.

Follow us as we bring you updates from this event. Together, we can build a healthier future for all.