Dr.Samar Al-Mutawakel

Emergency Health Specialist @WHO.” Let’s advance health, dignity & forge peace. Only by embracing diversity we will solve the biggest challenges ahead of us”

[مركز التواصل الحكومي @CGCKuwait]

بيان صادر عن وزارة الدفاع

#CGCKuwait

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

At #WHA79, I appreciated meeting Sheikh Dr Salman Khalifa Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health of Kuwait 🇰🇼, to discuss strengthening regional health security, preparedness and collaboration at a time when escalating crises continue to place growing pressure on health systems across the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

I value Kuwait’s continued leadership and partnership with @WHOEMRO in advancing resilient public health systems and regional solidarity.

@who_kuwait | @KUWAIT_MOH | @KuwaitUNGeneva

[وزارة الصحة @KUWAIT_MOH]

#تعاون_دولي| برئاسة سعادة وكيل وزارة الصحة الشيخ الدكتور سلمان خليفة الصباح ورئيس وفد دولة الكويت.. الكويت تستعرض صمود نظامها الصحي أمام التحديات الإقليمية في جمعية الصحة العالمية.

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

Preparedness gaps rarely stay invisible for long, and the consequences are too often measured in lives lost.

The IHR State Parties Self-Assessment Annual Report (SPAR) for the Eastern Mediterranean Region-@WHOEMRO- launched at #WHA79, highlights major disparities in countries’ ability to detect and respond to public health events of national and international concern.

In 2025, preparedness scores in high-income countries exceeded 90%, compared to 30-40% in countries facing conflict and fragility. The Region’s average preparedness index declined from 68% in 2022 to 65% in 2025, indicating that gains made during #COVID19 are slipping as investments and attention decline.

SPAR remains the only mandatory annual reporting mechanism under the International Health Regulations (2005), helping countries assess 15 core capacities needed to detect and respond to public health risks of national and international concern. For four consecutive years, all countries in the Region submitted SPAR reports despite ongoing challenges, demonstrating commitment to transparency, accountability and global health security.

Recent public health events such as #Ebola and #hantavirus are reminders that strong national capacities matter. In an increasingly complex risk landscape, sustained political commitment and investment in preparedness are more critical than ever.

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

On the margins of WHA.79, I met with the Executive Sponsors of the Polio Legacy Challenge (PLC), including Qatar 🇶🇦, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, the UAE 🇦🇪 and Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health @MoPH_afg, to review progress under this innovative financing initiative linking polio eradication with broader health priorities.

Across Afghanistan, investments are supporting health centres that strengthen access to essential health services, helping protect children through life-saving vaccines while supporting broader community health needs.

The PLC reflects regional solidarity and a shared commitment to a polio-free Afghanistan.

#UnitedToEndPolio

@mohapuae | @KSRelief | @MohamedBinZayed | @mophqatar | @saudimoh | @gatesfoundation

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

In Geneva for the World Health Assembly #WHA79, where I joined global leaders and partners for the launch of the Global Health Emergency Corps Strategy GHECS, a shared vision for building an emergency-ready, resilient health workforce in every country by 2030. I thank the co-hosts Ethiopia 🇪🇹, Germany 🇩🇪 and Brazil 🇧🇷, as well as the @gatesfoundation and the Institute of Philanthropy for bringing partners together around this important agenda for global health security and preparedness.

Health emergencies and preparedness cannot depend on last-minute mobilization. It requires trusted leadership, nationally owned systems, coordination, trained workforces and collaboration that moves faster than crises themselves. Sustainable preparedness depends on countries leading and shaping their own emergency capacities, reinforced through strong regional and global coordination.

As recent crises across the @WHOEMRO Region have shown, connected leadership is not optional; it is essential to protecting lives, strengthening health security and ensuring communities receive help before emergencies escalate.

@ETMissionGVA | @GermanyUNGeneva | @BrazilUNGeneva

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

Pandemic and epidemic intelligence bring together surveillance data and real-world context to guide public health decisions.

While innovation is accelerating, research efforts remain fragmented, and translating insights into policy is still inconsistent.

To close this gap, @WHO’s Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence and global partners identified key research priorities to strengthen impact.

Read their findings in @LancetGH, with thanks to @Chikwe_I for sharing this important paper from colleagues and partners: https://t.co/fRXhuPS8sA

[Annalena Baerbock @UN_PGA]

With developing countries facing $11.7 trillion in external debt and a $4 trillion SDG financing gap, the urgency is clear. The world does not need us to repeat promises, it needs action. At the 2026 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Follow-up, I stressed that we need to deliver on the promises already made, in particular the 280 actions proposed by the Sevilla Commitment need to be translated into concrete outcomes.

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

In Boston, I had the opportunity to join an engaging roundtable by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative @HHI, which brought together experts to exchange ideas and shape practical solutions for today’s evolving health emergencies.

We explored how to deepen collaboration with @WHOEMRO, particularly on scaling training in trauma care; advancing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear preparedness and response; leveraging AI-supported technologies; and addressing substance use in complex settings.

Thank you to Dr Michael VanRooyen @mvanrooyen_md and colleagues for convening this important dialogue, and to all participants for a rich and forward-looking discussion. I look forward to translating this exchange into concrete collaboration and impact on the ground.

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

إنجازٌ عظيمٌ بقيادة صاحبة السموّ الملكي الأميرة غيداء طلال @GhidaTalal، يدفع جهود تعزيز النُّظُم الصحية في الأردن إلى الأمام.

ويعكس افتتاح مستودعات إقليم الوسط الطبية في عمَّان قوة الشراكات الوطيدة بين منظمة الصحة العالمية @WHO والاتحاد الأوروبي في الأردن @EUinJordan والقيادة الوطنية لوزارة الصحة الأردنية @mohgovjordan لتعزيز الأمن الدوائي تماشيًا مع المبادرة الرئيسية للمكتب الإقليمي لمنظمة الصحة العالمية لشرق المتوسط @WHOEMRO بشأن توسيع نطاق الحصول المُنصِف على المنتجات الطبية.

معًا، نعمل على تعزيز النُّظُم، وتوسيع نطاق إتاحة الخدمات والمنتجات الطبية، وتحقيق أثرٍ حقيقي حيثما تَبرُز الأهمية الكبرى لتلك الجهود.

@KHCFKHCC

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

At the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, one message was clear:

Health systems are now operating in a world of geopolitical fragmentation, prolonged crises and shrinking external funding.

The context has changed and so must our response.

@UN l @UNarabic l @WHOEMRO
@AfricanUnionUN

📖 Read my latest editorial in the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal:

https://t.co/mSUkL6FpMc

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

I’m delighted to welcome Dr Jamal Ahmed @jGuudle as Director of Polio Eradication and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases at @WHOEMRO.

With nearly two decades of experience advancing polio eradication and strengthening disease surveillance across the Middle East and Africa, his leadership comes at a critical moment for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, as we push through the last mile to #EndPolio and accelerate efforts to protect communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Looking forward to working closely together to protect every child from polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

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

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

Thank you @AlMajallaEN for publishing my latest commentary.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, too many well-intentioned efforts still happen side by side, but not together. The result: duplication in some places and dangerous gaps in others that fragile health systems cannot afford.

Working with countries, UN agencies and partners, @WHO is helping strengthen regional coordination that is already delivering results. Expanding this cooperation is key to accelerating health progress across the Region and beyond.

Read more: https://t.co/vUmr1qjFDx

[Dr.Samar Al-Mutawakel @SamarMutawakel]

https://t.co/eXXzDlZcAq

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

Grateful for the opportunity to meet in London Kjell Forsberg, Assistant Director General and Head of Department for Trade, Private Sector and Financial Instruments at @SIDA 🇸🇪. Sweden’s long-standing support helps @WHO respond faster and smarter to health emergencies. We discussed innovative financing and ways to strengthen emergency response and health-system recovery across Gaza, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and beyond.

#HealthForAll | #Partners4Health

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

I am grateful to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, for their generosity and compassion shown this week in Jordan to recognize the efforts of the Kingdom, and many partners, to advance universal health coverage.

Importantly, they brought attention to the need for sustained action to promote and protect the health of all people, from injured and ill children from Gaza receiving lifesaving care in Jordan, to delivering dignified mental health services to those in need, and providing health care services to Syrian refugees.

At a time of division and turbulence, I appreciate Prince Harry and Meghan's support to the World Health Organization and others, as humanitarians and philanthropists committed to improving global health and wellbeing.

[Deemah AlYahya @Dalyahya]

When tech innovation and people-centered digital transformation meet.

A real pleasure welcoming @TareqAmin_, CEO of @HUMAIN, to the @dcorg headquarters.

Much like our first conversation, this felt like two people passionate about digital innovation exchanging ideas on how emerging technologies can create meaningful human impact.

We discussed how HUMAIN and DCO can align strengths to deliver tangible, human-centered digital outcomes, from AI policy and governance to quality digital infrastructure.

Collaborations like these help advance a digital future that is inclusive, sustainable, equitable, and prosperous for all.

#DigitalProsperity4All

[Chikwe Ihekweazu @Chikwe_I]

Build your skills in public health intelligence to better detect, assess and respond to health threats.

Our new course is free, self-paced and fully online: https://t.co/6icUaYW9CZ

Great collaboration between the WHO Hub in Berlin, @WHOEMRO, WHO Academy & @rki_de

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

It was my great honour to meet with His Majesty, @KingAbdullahII of Jordan, and HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II during my visit to the Kingdom, which is focused on national and regional health matters. 

I thanked the King for Jordan’s steadfast commitment to protecting and promoting #HealthForAll in Jordan, including its citizens and more than 3 million refugees mainly from Gaza and Syria.

We discussed the strong collaboration between Jordan, @WHO and the @UN system to strengthen universal health coverage, advance mental health, and promote healthy lifestyles to #BeatNCDs.

I also reiterated @WHO 's commitment to continue supporting Jordan's ability to provide humanitarian health relief, including for treating patients evacuated from Gaza for essential care, and to bolster the Jordanian corridor to deliver urgently needed medical supplies to meet the Strip's immense health needs.

[HananBalkhyحنان بلخي @HananBalkhy]

Honoured to meet Ambassador Konrad Arz von Straussenburg @GermanyDiplo, to exchange on the evolving global health architecture, including @WHO’s Pandemic Agreement negotiations and the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex.

We also reflected on how shifts in global health financing may affect outbreak prevention and response, with potential implications for diseases such as HIV. In a changing landscape, sustained cooperation and solidarity remain essential. Thank you, 🇩🇪, for your continued partnership.