August 16, 2026

world health organisation

Australia lauded for eliminating trachoma

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Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in Australia, says the World Health Organization (WHO).

WHO called the elimination of trachoma in Australia “a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples”.

Australia becomes the 30th country globally to have eliminated trachoma.

The origins of this success lie in the establishment of the National Trachoma Management Programme in 2006 which implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy: surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics to treat infection, promotion of facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement.

Regular screening of all communities classified as at-risk of trachoma by teams of qualified health workers formed an important part of the programme. Interventions were delivered through coordinated partnerships between federal and state governments, Aboriginal community-controlled health services, and local communities.

“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities.”

“Elimination of trachoma is a win for the eye health of communities across Australia,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing.

“This major milestone is thanks to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, community commitment and sustained investment over many decades.”

The impact of US withdrawal from World Health Organization

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Just over a year after Donald Trump took office and announced the United States’ intention to leave the World Health Organization (WHO), the withdrawal is now complete. The US, a founding member and long time leading donor, has played a central role in global health for decades.  

Over the past 20 years, US funded programs in partnership with WHO are estimated to have prevented more than 90 million deaths worldwide, including 30 million child deaths. The US was also instrumental in eradicating smallpox and advancing efforts against polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza and other public health threats. 

Reasons cited by the Trump administration for the withdrawal included perceived failures in WHO’s COVID response and an alleged effort to compromise US independence.  

WHO’s ability to respond to global health threats relies on coordinated international cooperation. For example, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response system relies on live data from 131 countries to develop recommendations for influenza virus vaccines. Without US participation, the program suffers a significant loss in data potentially affecting the efficacy of their recommendations. 

It also leaves a significant gap in funding, which China has stepped in to fill, pledging $500 million USD in voluntary contributions over the next five years. This now makes China WHO’s largest financial contributor.  

“There are many things done through WHO that benefit the United States, especially in health security,” the Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.

“The US cannot be safe without working with WHO.”

“When I say for the US to reconsider its return, it’s not about money. Money can be adjusted. It’s about co-operation. It’s about solidarity. The best immunity is solidarity.” – Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts over a billion people at risk

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A World Health Organization report says 1.4 billion people worldwide had hypertension in 2024, with control rates dangerously low in many countries.

The report highlights that less than a quarter of people with the condition have it under control and urges countries to integrate hypertension care into their universal health systems and improve access to medication.

WHO analysis of data from 195 countries and territories shows that 99 of them have national hypertension control rates below 20 per cent. The majority of the affected people live in low- and middle-income countries, where health systems face resource constraints.

The report highlights major gaps in hypertension prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.

Key barriers include weak health promotion policies (on risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco use, physical inactivity, salt, and trans fats), and limited access to validated blood pressure devices.

Blood pressure medication is one of the most cost-effective public health tools. Yet only 28 per cent of low-income countries report general availability of all WHO-recommended medicines, compared with 93 per cent of high-income countries.

“Every hour, over 1000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure, and most of these deaths are preventable,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response: reflecting on World AIDS Day 2025

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The 1st of December marks World AIDS Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has joined partners and communities around the globe to reflect on the theme: “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.” 

It is estimated that 40.8 million people are currently living with HIV (PLHIV) worldwide. Although HIV is now considered a chronic, treatable infection, progress is under threat due to funding shortfalls. 

A recent UNAIDS report highlighted a sharp decline in funding over the past year, leading to severe disruption in HIV treatment pathways, particularly in fragile settings. With programs affected globally, an additional 3.3 million new HIV infections could potentially emerge over the next five years. The deprioritisation of HIV treatment in community-led regions is becoming a critical issue. 

Prevention programs have been especially strained, with some dismantled entirely. The loss of initiatives for young women has heightened vulnerability, while stigma, discrimination, punitive laws, and the lack of community-based services continue to present major barriers to prevention, testing, and care. 

Most HIV programs rely heavily on external funding. Without urgent action, infection rates are expected to rise, and health systems will face greater strain. 

To address this, countries need to increase investment in HIV treatment programs, develop innovative service delivery models, expand prevention and harm reduction initiatives, strengthen community engagement, and improve surveillance and monitoring of HIV responses. 

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, has implored the public to keep fighting for HIV to remain front and centre, emphasising “the funding crisis has exposed the fragility of the progress we fought so hard to achieve”. 

“We know what works – we have the science, tools, and proven strategies… [W]hat we need now is political courage. Investing in communities, in prevention, in innovation, and in protecting human rights as the path to end AIDS.” 

Nurses and midwives have always been on the frontline of the AIDS response, advocating with affected communities to deliver the change required to tackle the infection.  

“What really struck me was that during the AIDS crisis, nurses and their unions and affected communities fought for and won an approach to infection control and approach to public health in general,” historian Geraldine Fela notes in her book Critical Care: Nurses on the frontline of the AIDS crisis. 

“By having that collaborative bottom-up approach, trust was built and often in very marginal communities,” she continued. 

This advocacy has never wavered, and the professions continue to push for improved care and investment, in line with evidence-based practice.  

Nations agree to global pandemic treaty – without the US

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Members of the World Health Organization have agreed the text of a legally binding treaty designed to tackle future pandemics more effectively.

The new agreement looks to avoid the disorganisation and competition for resources seen during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Key elements of the draft treaty include the rapid sharing of data about new diseases, to ensure scientists and pharmaceutical companies can work more quickly to develop treatments and vaccines.

It also gives WHO the role to oversee global supply chains for masks, medical gowns and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

WHO members also agreed that countries will have to ensure that pandemic-related drugs are available across the world in a future outbreak.

Additionally, they approved the transfer of health technologies to poorer nations as long as it was “mutually agreed”.

Participating manufacturers will have to allocate 10 per cent of their production of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics to the WHO. Another 10 per cent will then be supplied at “affordable prices”.

WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the deal as “a significant milestone in our shared journey towards a safer world”.

US negotiators were not part of the final discussions after President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the global health agency, and the US will not be bound by the pact when it leaves in 2026.

ICN welcomes WHO focus on nursing, warns of impact of US withdrawal from WHO

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The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has expressed strong support for the recent focus on nursing by the World Health Organisation (WHO).  

However, the ICN has also raised concerns about the negative impact of the United States’ withdrawal from the WHO on nurse-led services globally. 

During the WHO Executive Board sessions in Geneva, key discussions centered on extending the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery and WHO’s “Workforce 2030” plan.  

ICN president, Dr. Pamela Cipriano, emphasised the need for sustainable and equitable global health financing, especially in light of the US decision to withdraw from the WHO. 

“The US decision to withdraw from WHO means it is imperative that we accelerate our efforts to ensure sustainable and equitable global health financing,” Dr Cipriano said. 

“Without sustained investment in nursing and health, we will not be able to achieve our shared global goals to make sure that everyone, everywhere can access the care they need.” 

The ICN warned that the US withdrawal has already halted some nurse-led services, including vaccination programs and care for people with HIV/AIDS.  

The ICN participated actively in the WHO Executive Board meetings, making interventions on topics such as Universal Health Coverage, climate change, mental health issues, and the health care workforce. The ICN called on WHO Member States to address workforce shortages and strengthen nurse retention, education, leadership, and practice to build resilient health systems worldwide. 

The decisions made at the WHO Executive Board meeting will be presented at the World Health Assembly in May for ratification. A key focus will be extending the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery, informed by the upcoming State of the World’s Nursing report. 

The ICN’s statements underscore the vital role of nurses in achieving global health goals and the urgent need for sustained investment in nursing to ensure universal access to quality healthcare. 

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