New guidelines improve care for millions with female genital mutilation

Health-care providers play an important role in the treatment and care of the 200 million girls and women around the world living with female genital mutilation.

16 May 2016 – New WHO recommendations aim to help health workers provide better care to the more than 200 million girls and women worldwide living with female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM has no health benefits, can cause grave harm, and violates the rights of girls and women. The new recommendations focus on preventing and treating obstetric complications; treatment for depression and anxiety disorders; and attention to female sexual health such as counselling.

New diagnostic test and better treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

A man takes at-home treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Lima, Peru.
WHO

12 May 2016 – New WHO recommendations will speed detection and improve treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) through use of a new rapid diagnostic test and a shorter, cheaper treatment regimen. The novel diagnostic test, called MTBDRsl, is a DNA-based test that identifies genetic mutations in MDR-TB strains. At less than US$ 1000 per patient, the new treatment regimen can be completed in 9–12 months.

Zika virus and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016


13 May 2016 -- Athletes and visitors to Rio de Janeiro, and other areas where Zika virus is circulating, are being encouraged to follow the travel advice provided by WHO and their countries’ health authorities, and consult a health worker before travelling.

Air pollution levels rising in many of the world’s poorest cities

A layer of haze covers a portion Mexico City.
EPA/M. Guzman

12 May 2016 – More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits. While all regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted. According to the urban air quality database, 98% of cities in low- and middle income countries with more than 100 000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines.

Laws to protect breastfeeding inadequate in most countries

Breastfeeding after UNICEF measles vaccination, Kot Danda, Nepal.
UNICEF/Page

9 May 2015 – The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes calls on countries to protect breastfeeding by stopping the inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes, including advertising, gifts to health workers, and distribution of free samples. A new report by WHO, UNICEF, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) reveals the status of national laws to protect and promote breastfeeding.

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  • Pesticide Residues in food?
    May 2016 -- Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture to protect crops against insects, fungi, weeds and other pests. But pesticides are also potentially toxic to humans. Before they can be authorized for use, pesticides should be tested for all possible health effects and the results should be analysed by experts to assess any risks to humans.
  • WHO expresses great concern over newborn deaths in Libya
    May 2016 -- WHO expresses concern over the death of 12 newborns in the Sabah Medical Centre neonatal intensive care unit in Sabha, southern Libya. The deaths occurred due to a bacterial infection and lack of specialized health staff to provide medical care.

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Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights.

FGM: It’s our job as health workers to ‘do no harm’

Ian Askew, WHO Director, Department of Reproductive Health and Research

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Dr Chan, WHO Director-General, visits Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, three of the four countries where indigenous transmission of wild poliovirus has not yet been interrupted.
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