Myanmar implements standardised plain packaging to curb deadly tobacco's 'appeal'

Tobacco use poses a severe burden on Myanmar’s health and economy, killing about 64,000 people each year. Myanmar has marked a significant milestone in protecting public health and advancing global tobacco control efforts with the successful implementation of standardised plain packaging on tobacco products.

Transforming teachers and teaching for adolescent health, well-being and gender equality

Having taught Physics for over 30 years to young girls, when experts called for transforming teachers and teaching for young people’s health, well-being and gender equality, it resonated strongly with me.

Preserving hard-won gains: Feminist voices on the future of gender equality

Gender equality is enshrined in the opening preamble of United Nations Charter 1945. But despite progress and some setbacks, not a single country has delivered 100% on gender equality. Is the sinister link between patriarchy, capitalism, corporate capture, religious fundamentalism, militarisation, and politics of power, the reason why progress on gender equality remains off the mark?

[video] Study proves strong impact of molecular test at primary care level versus hub-and-spoke model lab

Amidst anti-gender push, hope pins on ICFP 2025 to shift gears towards SRHRJ for all

Despite right to health and gender equality being fundamental human rights, the world is off the track from delivering on these goals in the next 62 months (by 2030). Anti-rights and anti-gender pushbacks have made the situation even more grim. Activists are pinning hope on an upcoming global meet to galvanise a stronger and equitable response to deliver on these goals.

Study proves strong impact of taking molecular TB diagnostics closer to the people

Urgent call to replace sputum microscopy completely with true point-of-care molecular tests to #FindAllTB

An important scientific study published in The Lancet shows the strong public health impact of deploying molecular diagnostics closer to the people.

5th Annual Global Media Forum on Antimicrobial Resistance

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WHO sounds the alarm on rising antibiotic resistance which is threatening health security

The world is heading towards widespread resistance to common antibiotics. So indicates the Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025, that was launched today by the World Health Organization (WHO), cautioning that increasing resistance to essential antibiotics poses a growing threat to public health systems globally - especially in countries least equipped to handle it.

[video] It is time for accountability and action after 80th UNGA HLM re: Beijing+30 and Asia Pacific CSE meet

With 62 months left to deliver on #endTB and #endAIDS goals, SAARC TB and HIV/AIDS Centre making a difference

Tobacco vendor licensing plugs the loopholes in implementing lifesaving health laws

Before the intergovernmental global tobacco treaty meet opens next month, experts call for tobacco vendor licensing so that governments can enforce lifesaving tobacco control policies effectively, protect children and youth from misleading tobacco industry tactics and lies, and progress towards ending tobacco use. “No one must suffer from tobacco-related diseases or die of them,” rightly said Dr Tara Singh Bam, noted global health expert and Asia Pacific Director (Tobacco Control) of Vital Strategies.

USA versus most world: Will human right to health and gender equality take primacy?

[हिंदी] It was shocking to see that United States of America (USA) took a position against most other nations and went ahead to “torpedo” the draft political declaration that was about to be adopted with consensus at the 80th United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health.

SHE & Rights | It is time for accountability and action after UNGA High Level Meeting around Beijing+30

[Watch the recording] Join us on 10th October 2025 (Friday) in SHE & Rights session ahead of the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP 2025) in Bogota, Colombia, on the theme: "It is time for accountability and action after UNGA High Level Meeting around Beijing+30."

Multi-disease elimination approach in action when services go closer to the communities

Bringing health and wellbeing services closer to the communities helps breaking barriers they face in accessing them. With this driving intent, few important promising initiatives were spearheaded by the Indian government this fortnight.

Breaking barriers by deploying artificial intelligence-enabled health technologies for the underserved

Artificial intelligence is not only for the rich and famous but it is also deployed in health technologies to serve the poorest of the poor and marginalised communities – with equity and human dignity.

[podcast] Ground Zero Podcast: #FindAllTB→ #TreatAllTB→ #PreventAllTB

[video] Ground Zero: Kangra #EndTB leader Dr RK Sood walks the talk to #FindAllTB → #TreatAllTB → #PreventAllTB

Will 80th UNGA theme of #BetterTogether unite all world leaders on safe abortion rights?

"Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights" is the theme of 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Would it unite world leaders to stop anti-rights and anti-gender pushbacks and deliver on the promises of gender equality and human right to health - where no one is left behind - is yet to be seen.

Call for stronger response in Asia Pacific which is home to half of global AMR burden

Asia Pacific Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance 2025 opens in Indonesia

Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2025 opened in Jakarta, Indonesia on the theme: "From Declaration to Action: Operationalizing One-Health AMR Action in the Asia-Pacific Region."

Asia Pacific Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance 2025 opens in Jakarta, Indonesia

“Access to abortion is a human rights issue” says UN SR on Right To Health

“Sexual and reproductive health rights are an integral element of the right to health. Yet we know when we are speaking specifically about abortion care, that obstacles exist. They are interrelated and entrenched and operate at different levels in clinical care, at the level of health systems and in the underlying determinants of health. Abortion is health care. Access to abortion is a human rights issue. Full stop.” These are the words of Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Right To Health, who gave an opening address at SHE & Rights Anniversary Special session ahead of 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Contraception Day (26 September) and Safe Abortion Day (28 September).

[video] Goa leads: After deploying 100% upfront TB molecular tests over four years ago, AI-enabled X-Rays deployed now to find TB early and accurately

[video] Abortion rights are human rights

80th UNGA must act to stop regressive pushbacks against health and gender

By committing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 2015), all government leaders had promised health and wellbeing (SDG-3) and gender equality (SDG-5) by 2030 “where no one is left behind.” Two-third along the way in 2025, writing on the wall is clear: promises are not being kept.

[video] Gender equality and human right to health are inextricably linked, says UN Special Rapporteur on Right To Health

Will Nepal's leadership on health spur more action on SDG-3 globally?

Nepal has demonstrated commendable progress on a range of health indices, despite myriads of challenges. Nepal is among the least developed countries currently, but due to its sustained and growing progress on a range of sustainable development indices, it is all set to do away with this tag in 2026.

SHE & Rights | Abortion rights are human rights

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[Watch the recording] Ahead of International Safe Abortion Day (28 September) and World Contraception Day (26 September), SHE & Rights session on 5th September 2025, Friday, would be held on the theme: "Abortion rights are human rights."

Are health services sensitive to needs of young persons in all their diversities?

[हिंदी] How many healthcare facilities have sign language or braille interpretation, ramps or other acutely needed support for people with different forms of disabilities? Even health awareness and disease prevention campaigns are seldom in sign language, braille or visual communication medium, says Nishant Kumar, Coordinator of Y-PEER Nepal and Member, Working Group on Disabilities and 2030 Agenda.

[video] UNGA 2025: Only 64 months left to deliver on SDG-3 and SDG-5: It is time for Accountability

Will world leaders at UNGA act on urgent interconnected threats posed by NCDs and AMR?

World leaders will meet at the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly and UN High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) next month. But would they take stronger action to prevent NCDs and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is yet to be seen. The draft text that would be up for their discussion next month is sadly weak and disappointing given the threat NCDs (and AMR) poses to global health and SDGs.

UNGA 2025: Only 64 months left to deliver on SDG-3 and SDG-5: It is time for Accountability

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[Watch the recording] Governments committed to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. As we cross the two-thirds mark this year on the road towards delivering on Agenda 2030, let us review where are we on the promises of gender equality and human right to health.

Rohingya women carry not just a story of pain but a plan for change

"In the Rohingya refugee communities, especially with whom I work, the progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-3 (health and wellbeing) and SDG-5 (gender equality) has been deeply uneven and fragile - there have been small but significant steps forward," said Noor Fatima, Specialist in Education Policy and Equity, Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network.

United action is warranted for antimicrobial resistance which threatens everyone

[watch the recording] When misuse and overuse of medicines is making infections difficult or impossible to treat, then are not  all of us at risk? rightly asks Bhakti Chavan, a survivor of extensively drug-resistant TB or XDR-TB (one of the severest forms of TB which has very limited treatment options) and a member of World Health Organization (WHO) Task Force of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Survivors.