Health

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message marking the launch of the policy brief “COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health” in New York today:

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the online launch meeting of the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security, in New York today:

Today on International Nurses Day, the World Health Organization remind us that as the world struggles to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic there is an urgent shortage of nurses worldwide. Almost 6 million more are needed, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Without mitigation efforts, COVID-19-related service disruptions could result in more than 500,000 extra deaths from tuberculosis, HIV and other AIDS-related illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa from 2020 to 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme against HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said today.

The World Health Organization (WHO) marked the fortieth anniversary of the eradication of smallpox — the first and only human disease eliminated globally through international collaboration — which killed 300 million people in the twentieth century.  Many of the tools used against smallpox are now combating COVID-19.

Anti-coronavirus measures are exposing victims of human trafficking to further exploitation and limiting their access to essential services, a new analysis released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said today, noting also the emergence of new opportunities for organized crime to profit from the crisis.

In the Americas, chronic overcrowding, unhygienic conditions and lack of health‑care access have led to COVID-19 infections among thousands of inmates and prison officials.  The Human Rights High Commissioner urged States to ensure widespread access to testing and care for detainees, and both testing and protective gear for staff.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the online pledging event for coronavirus response:  Joining Forces to Accelerate the Development, Production and Equitable Access to New COVID-19 Vaccines, Diagnostics and Therapeutics, in New York today:

Today the World Food Programme announced that the United Arab Emirates will dedicate three aircraft until the end of 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic response, helping the World Health Organization and the global humanitarian community transport life-saving cargo and personnel to more than 100 countries in need.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to launch a policy brief on older persons, in New York today: