Michael Kessler

Media consultant based in Barcelona working in global health communications. All tweets my own.

[UNAIDS_EECA_RST @UNAIDS_EECA]

UNAIDS is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Pokrovsky, a distinguished academic, our trusted partner, advocate and friend for many years.

We are grateful for his dedication, professionalism and immense contribution to the global HIV response.

Our heartfelt condolences go to his family, colleagues and the HIV community across Russia and EECA.
https://t.co/4KIBeLeSXc

[Helen Clark @HelenClarkNZ]

Prevention of, preparedness for, & rapid responses to disease outbreaks are essential. Our open letter calls on WHO Member States to finish the job on negotiating the #PandemicAgreement & ensure adequate resources to stop outbreaks in their tracks. https://t.co/MCOvlnKFNo

[Bhekisisa @Bhekisisa_MG]

SA has the world’s highest number of new #HIV infections. Yet the country’s first supply of the new anti-HIV jab, #lenacapavir, will only cover around 456 000 people over 2 years. Experts say far more doses are needed to make a real dent in infections. https://t.co/dbOVMyVoX2

[Helen Clark @HelenClarkNZ]

“International (#pandemic) treaty sorely needed. 5 years into negotiations, it’s clear that western backers of this plan, especially in Europe, have consistently presented it as fait accompli, while avoiding most basic & obvious political impasse b4 them.” https://t.co/kX66lPDqpB

[Cllr Allan Casey @AllanCasey89]

Since opening the The Thistle has been used more than 15,000 times and have safely managed 137 overdoses.The Thistle is saving lives. We know it works and that’s why there needs to be a network of facilities across the country to support those who are affected by public injecting

[Samuel 🇲🇽 @resisres]

🇲🇽🏥 SHEINBAUM TO DECREE UNIVERSAL HEALTH SYSTEM

By presidential decree, any Mexican will be able to receive healthcare at any public institution, regardless of enrollment.

120M to be credentialized starting April 13, with a unified digital platform connecting medical records, labs, AI tools and resources across systems.

"When we leave office, any Mexican will be able to go get care for any illness at any health institution."

[Michael Kessler @mickessler]

After all the lobbying of industry and government to tackle the causes of obesity and promote solutions to it, are these jabs giving the Big Junk industry a massive free pass? What message is it sending to parents?
#obesity #diabetes #nutrition #ncds

https://t.co/3UEcxrfKMC

[Teena Thacker @Teensthack]

More than 60% of the 8,500 registered small and medium pharmaceutical units in India may be forced to shut shop by the end of this month for failing to comply with the guidelines on good manufacturing practices.
#ScheduleM @CDSCO_INDIA_INF

[Every Breath Counts @EBCCoalition]

For 1st time, medical #oxygen access on the agenda at @UnionConference in #Copenhagen!

Medical oxygen is an essential medicine for 374M patients every yr, including many with #TB #pneumonia #COPD & more

👉 https://t.co/Gu8Ufcll07

@LancetGH #WCLH2025 #GO2AL #InvestinOxygen

[Mie Hoejris Dahl @Miehdahl]

Over the past year, I've learned a lot about COPD – a respiratory disease that's the world's 4th leading cause of death, yet still little known. COPD deaths are mostly preventable, but only if governments act. My story
@WPReview:
https://t.co/g8d0FjzTcO
#health #COPD #UNGA

[Foreign Policy @ForeignPolicy]

Colombia’s calls for global decriminalization and coca destigmatization have elevated its voice in the debate, but not necessarily its ability to set the rules, writes @Miehdahl. https://t.co/Qq9tn7EW1n

[Mie Hoejris Dahl @Miehdahl]

The world’s top cocaine producer is pushing drug reform at the UN. But the US just decertified Colombia as a counternarcotics partner—for the first time in nearly 30 years. What's at stake for overdue drug reform?
My story @ForeignPolicy:
https://t.co/dG3e7HHgPe
#colombia #UNGA

[The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) @globalcdp]

Amid Europe’s worst drug crisis, @POLITICOEurope spotlights The Thistle - the UK’s 1st supervised drug consumption facility.

#GCDP Commissioners @HelenClarkNZ & @Kazatchkine visited the site in July with @MareeToddMSP (@scotgov) & @AllanCasey89 (@GlasgowCC) to learn about its role in saving lives, connecting people to support, and strengthening communities.
#DrugPolicy #HarmReduction #PublicHealth

Read the article ⬇️

[Vital Strategies @VitalStrat]

The overdose crisis is a public health crisis. In the lead-up to International Overdose Awareness Day this Sunday, we spotlight three cities working with community-based groups to #EndOverdose and save lives.

#IOAD2025 #Cities4HealtThe overdose crisis is a public health crisis. In the lead-up to International Overdose Awareness Day this Sunday, we spotlight three cities working with community-based groups to #EndOverdose and save lives.

#IOAD2025 #Cities4HealtThe overdose crisis is a public health crisis. In the lead-up to International Overdose Awareness Day this Sunday, we spotlight three cities working with community-based groups to #EndOverdose and save lives.

#IOAD2025 #Cities4HealtThe overdose crisis is a public health crisis. In the lead-up to International Overdose Awareness Day this Sunday, we spotlight three cities working with community-based groups to #EndOverdose and save lives.

#IOAD2025 #Cities4HealtThe overdose crisis is a public health crisis. In the lead-up to International Overdose Awareness Day this Sunday, we spotlight three cities working with community-based groups to #EndOverdose and save lives.

#IOAD2025 #Cities4Health

[Vital Strategies @VitalStrat]

Health taxes can be a powerful tool to reduce harmful product consumption, improve health outcomes, and generate revenue. Let's talk about it!

👉 Register here: https://t.co/dUjBism5dI

Join us for a virtual briefing to explore insights and evidence-based policy recommendations from our new publication: The Future of Health Financing in Africa: The Role of Health Taxes.

🗓️ July 29
🕓 12:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. CAT
📍 Online
💬 Live Q&A

[Scot Gov Health @scotgovhealth]

Drugs Policy Minister @MareeToddMSP joined delegates from @globalcdp for a tour of the Thistle Safer Drug Consumption Facility in Glasgow.

The Thistle service has already helped save lives and supported many people who would otherwise not be engaging with any services.

[Michel Sidibé @MichelSidibe]

🚨 Reflections from the powerful session on “Navigating the Synthetic Drug Challenges” led by Steve Rolles and Dr. Caroline Copeland (UK):

We are entering a new and dangerous era in global drug policy. What we heard today confirms the urgency.

👇 Here are two key takeaways from the discussion:

Tweet 1
A new drug crisis is coming — faster, deadlier, and harder to stop.
Forget heroin. Synthetic opioids like nitazenes are up to 500x more potent than fentanyl, which is itself 50x stronger than heroin.
They’re cheap, easy to make, and impossible to control.
This is a public health timebomb.

Tweet 2
💡 Repression won’t solve the synthetic drug crisis.
Cartels now need just a greeting card’s worth of powder to ship thousands of lethal doses.
We must invest in:
✅ Regulated safer supply
✅ Drug checking & naloxone
✅ Education
✅ Decriminalization
The time to act is now.

#SyntheticDrugs #PublicHealth #DrugReform @SteveTransform
@HelenClarkNZ
@Kazatchkine
@richardbranson
@ProfAdeeba
@ElBaradei
@MichelSidibe
@nickclegg
@ExRelator_ONU
@Oolusegun_obj
@GPapandreou
@JuanManSantos
@FHC
@RicardoLagos
@JoseRamosHorta1

[Chatham House @ChathamHouse]

"The cartels are becoming stronger than the states of many countries."

Former president of Colombia and @globalcdp commissioner @JuanManSantos on why greater cooperation is needed between countries in tackling the drug cartels controlling the illicit drugs trade.

Watch the event: https://t.co/9BGCmSI8k3

[Craig Meighan @craigymeighan]

'People make choices - they may be very risky. The key thing is to keep them alive.'

I spoke to former prime minister of New Zealand @HelenClarkNZ after her tour of Glasgow's drug consumption room.

[Lynn Macdonald @LynnMacdon92324]

It was a pleasure to host members of the Global Commission alongside @AllanCasey89 and @MareeToddMSP today at #theThistle