My Republica

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

The author is the World Health Organization Regional Director for South-East Asia
news@myrepublica.com

Renew and ramp up action to address non-communicable diseases

Published On: June 25, 2021 12:58 PM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Amid the COVID-19 response, opportunities to prevent, detect, control and treat non-communicable diseases must be fully harnessed

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Together, forward in the fight against COVID-19

Published On: May 10, 2020 02:00 PM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

The WHO South-East Asia Region is entering a new phase in its pandemic response. In recent weeks the spread of COVID-19 in the Region has slowed, due in large part to the unprecedented physical distancing measures that countries implemented early and aggressively. Several Member States are now preparing to safely transition towards a “new normal” in which social and economic life can function amid low disease transmission. To do that successfully, countries must continue to be bold, decisive and mobilize the full power of their whole-of-government, whole-of-society approaches.

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Together we must fight

Published On: March 2, 2020 09:12 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

The approach of the WHO South-East Asia Region to health security is guided by a simple yet powerful logic: When we work together we are protected together. Never has this been more important. The outbreak of COVID-19 is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and provides significant challenges to countries in the Region. We must stand together and work as one to face the outbreak down.

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Strengthen readiness

Published On: February 5, 2020 10:02 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV is a Public Health Emergency of international concern. The highest level of international solidarity and cooperation is needed to protect health and keep people safe. Since the novel coronavirus emerged late December, the number of cases reported globally has climbed. Human-to-human transmission has been reported in a number of countries. It is imperative that countries report and share information on suspected cases early, provide detailed reports on confirmed cases, and ensure all people receive the care they need in accordance with the rights and dignity that is due.

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Act now to end STIs

Published On: January 9, 2020 07:48 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

There are two things everyone should know about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). First, almost all STIs can be prevented through ready access to and use of a highly effective technology—condoms. The four most common STIs – chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomonas vaginalis can be cured by antibiotics. Second, STIs don’t always show symptoms, despite the health impacts they can have. Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause infertility. Syphilis in a pregnant woman can cause fetal and neonatal illness and death. Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer.

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The battle to win

Published On: November 20, 2019 09:17 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Policy tool called Access, Watch, Reserve (Aware) can accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance

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Lift the burden, leave no one behind

Published On: November 7, 2019 09:09 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

In the WHO South-East Asia Region, neglected tropical diseases are being tackled with firm resolve. Accelerated action will rout them altogether

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We must be bold to end TB by 2030

Published On: October 31, 2019 01:00 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

The World Health Organization’s Global Tuberculosis Report, released on October 17, outlines several positive trends in the battle against the world’s most deadly infectious disease.

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Poised for progress

Published On: October 13, 2019 02:00 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

How the WHO South-East Asia Region’s updated Flagship Priorities will accelerate its winning trajectory

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Protected together

Published On: September 12, 2019 12:30 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

WHO South-East Asia Region’s health ministers have made a bold commitment to adopting a five-year plan to scale up emergency preparedness and response

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Promoting breastfeeding

Published On: August 4, 2019 12:30 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Breastfeeding is humanity’s oldest and most powerful formula to advance newborn health and promote sustainable development. It is a formula we must harness to maximum effect

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Securing safe health services

Published On: July 14, 2019 01:00 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Adequate water, sanitation and hygiene in health facilities are critical to patient and health worker safety. Here’s how to secure it

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Biting back

Published On: June 9, 2019 01:25 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Snakebite is a serious cause of disability and death in mostly poor, rural and hard-to-reach communities worldwide. Though just 250 of 3000-odd species of snakes are medically important, their impact can be devastating: Across the globe, snakebite envenoming is reported to cause the death of up to 138 000 people annually, while up to three times that number are estimated to suffer amputation, physical or psychological disability. The need to take action is clear, and core to the principle of leaving no one behind.

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Eliminating cervical cancer

Published On: May 9, 2019 01:00 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Comprehensive screening, vaccination and treatment, including of pre-cancerous lesions, is crucial for eliminating cervical cancer

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Now is the time

Published On: March 24, 2019 01:05 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Each of the WHO South-East Asia Region’s Member States has played a critical role in the global push to End TB by or before 2030. In 2017, for example, health ministers from across the region issued a Call for Action, highlighting the measures needed to rout the disease. That was built on the following year by a Statement of Action, which pledged intensified efforts to achieve that outcome, even as domestic funding reached unprecedented levels.

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Sustain, accelerate, innovate

Published On: January 30, 2019 12:30 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

The WHO South-East Asia Region has made rapid progress in health and well-being. The journey continues

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Let’s be active

Published On: December 23, 2018 01:30 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Physical activity is a core preventive health measure that enhances human capital and sustainable development. It should be embraced by all

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What we need to know about hepatitis

Published On: July 28, 2018 01:25 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Viral hepatitis is currently killing an estimated 410,000 in our region annually—more than HIV and malaria combined.

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Health for all

Published On: July 9, 2018 01:00 AM NPT By: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Whether a country is rich or poor, progress is possible. Some countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region have already made significant advances

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