Dr Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele

Public Health Consultant. Former Director, Immunization and Vaccines Department at World Health Organisation (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva (2004-2017), Retired.

[زماں @Delhiite_]

#NEPAL: This is incredible. 1,643 children survived because one headmaster acted fast when disaster was already on the way.

He received a warning that a village upstream had been swept away by the river. He immediately rang the school bell and moved the children and teachers to higher ground.

School buses were on the way to school, He called the bus drivers and told them: "Don't come here. Go back."

One school bus was already on its way. The headmaster saw it approaching the bridge and told the driver to turn back. The bus reached safety just before the bridge collapsed.

Then the flood hit the school. The entire three-storey school was washed away. It completely vanished. Not even a trace was left behind.

But all 1,643 children survived.

47 year old Rajendra Dadabi a teacher who became a hero when it mattered most. One man's quick thinking saved 1,643 lives.

[Dr Jean Kaseya @Dr_JeanKaseya]

Africa buys together. Africa grows stronger.

In Windhoek, I joined my brother Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, for the signing marking Namibia’s commitment to the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism.

Through APPM, African countries can combine their purchasing power, secure quality health products at better prices and create a stronger market for African manufacturers. Namibia is now among the first nine countries leading this continental shift.

My appreciation to Dr Mariatou Tala Jallow, Director of APPM, for driving this ambitious agenda forward.

This is how we build Africa’s health sovereignty: together, at scale and through action.

#AfricaReady #APPM #HealthSovereignty #ReSCO2026

[Dr Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele @okwobelej]

Congratulations Msgr Pegoraro on your esteemed appointment.

[Pontifical Academy for Life @PontAcadLife]

Mons. Renzo Pegoraro nuovo Presidente. Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro is our new President!
https://t.co/gpLPfBkwwW
https://t.co/caTF0sBzEt

[Dr Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele @okwobelej]

Wonderful news

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

Historic decision at #WHA78:

Member States of WHO today formally adopted by consensus the world's first #PandemicAgreement to make the world more equitable and safer from future pandemics

🔗 https://t.co/4fNREfG2QO

[Nina Schwalbe, PhD @nschwalbe]

The pandemic agreement was just adopted unanimously!

A better prepared world ahead. and a historic commitment to working together along that path.

[Catholic Sat @CatholicSat]

Pope Leo XIV in first formal address to the College of Cardinals outlines the agenda for his Pontificate: "I would like us to renew together today our complete commitment to the path that the universal Church has now followed for decades in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. Pope Francis masterfully and concretely set it forth in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, from which I would like to highlight several fundamental points: the return to the primacy of Christ in proclamation; the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community; growth in collegiality and synodality; attention to the sensus fidei, especially in its most authentic and inclusive forms, such as popular piety; loving care for the least and the rejected; courageous and trusting dialogue with the contemporary world in its various components and realities."

[Annie @AnnieForTruth]

I agree…..

[Michel Sidibé @MichelSidibe]

Historic first: Under @JeanKaseya2 leadership, #Africa #CDC declared the continent’s first-ever Public Health Emergency of Continental Security due to mpox spread, swiftly followed by a #WHO global health emergency declaration. For the first time, regional and global emergencies align, unlocking vital resources and driving united action against the virus. #HealthSecurity #MpoxResponse @_AfricanUnion @AUC_MoussaFaki @DrTedros

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

We owe a #PandemicAgreement to:
- those who are still grieving the loss of someone they loved to COVID-19;
- to our children, grandchildren and to generations who have not even been born. They do not have to suffer as we suffered when the next pandemic strikes.

I called on the @WHO Member States again to get it done: https://t.co/QNWVTrdFtE

[CEPI @CEPIvaccines]

4-years ago this week, @WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. To help end the acute phase of this pandemic, the world rallied together to produce a safe & effective vaccine in just 326 days 💉

But could we go faster? The #100DaysMission aims to compress vaccine development timelines to as little as 100 days, helping to stop a future pandemic threat in its tracks.

Learn more on our website: https://t.co/YtvKEMrFxj

[Dr Jean Kaseya @Dr_JeanKaseya]

We are very appreciative that the @_AfricanUnion also voted to broaden @AfricaCDC’s mandate to include the manufacturing of medicines and diagnostics, in addition to its current remit of vaccines.  It’s been hard work and team work with my colleagues.
Thank you.

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

In 2019, @WHO supported the deployment of malaria vaccines in #Ghana🇬🇭, #Kenya🇰🇪 and #Malawi🇲🇼, as part of the pilot phase. 4 years later, the results are very encouraging.

#VaccinesWork
#DeafeatMalariaWithVax

Watch👇🏿

https://t.co/kubRhHvnrq

[Dr Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele @okwobelej]

Deeply sorry for the loss of Carissa. Our deepest sympathies to her family and closest friends

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our dear friend, Dr. Carissa Etienne, @pahowho Director Emeritus, due to a heart attack. Her loss is truly heartbreaking, and she will be greatly missed.

Carissa's dedication to public health and her significant contributions to @WHO leave a lasting legacy. She was a visionary leader who inspired us all.

On behalf of WHO, I extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.

[The View @TheView]

WHOOPI MEETS WITH POPE FRANCIS: #WhoopiGoldberg tells us about her trip to the Vatican last week to meet with Pope Francis and calls it an "extraordinary experience"! https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA

[Africa CDC @AfricaCDC]

@AfricaCDC & @gavi, the Vaccine Alliance host the First Manufacturers Marketplace for Vaccine Manufacturing @_AfricanUnion Member States.
https://t.co/9Kpql3H71X

[Africa CDC @AfricaCDC]

1. Will you be at #UNGA78? Join us as we host the @_AfricanUnion side event: “Advancing #PPPR with a focus on local manufacturing of health products and technologies – Leveraging the role of public-private partnerships.”

Link: https://t.co/4zCplue5qD

[International Vaccine Institute (IVI) @IVIHeadquarters]

We are excited to announce a renewed collaboration with @CEPIvaccines to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases 🤝

[Georges Alfred Ki-Zerbo @kizerbogeorgesa]

Consultation in #Bujumbura #Burundi with 9 Countries on strengthening Public Health Functions #epidemicintelligence #countermeasures & #innovation to foster #NPHIs #IHR #pandemicpreparedness #UHC - With @MastercardFdn @AfricaCDC @_AfricanUnion @WHO @IANPHIhealth @CDCgov support

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

The Emergency Committee on #mpox met for the fifth time yesterday, advising @DrTedros that the multi-country outbreak is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

⏩The WHO Director-General accepted the Committee’s advice. Full Statement: https://t.co/6X9y452RlA

[Dr Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele @okwobelej]

Congratulations @WRicciardi on this well deserved recognition @WFPHA_FMASP @IndigenousWFPHA

[#LeadOnNCDs @WePublicHealth]

@WRicciardi receiving the Hugh R Leavell Award. The award is the highest honor bestowed by @WFPHA_FMASP. It is a true accolade of the profession, the recognition from colleagues to outstanding accomplishments in the field of global public health leadership.

Congratulations!