Latest content: Health

Isaac Folorunso Adewole, a former Nigerian Minister of Health and professor of gynaecology and obstetrics, writes about the Commonwealth working together to change the narrative on cervical cancer.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has impressed upon member countries the importance of examining mental health legislation to see whether it is in line with the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.

Activity and sport are necessary parts of young people’s daily rhythm. We go to the gym, not just for the exercise, but also for the opportunity to socialise. A run in the park offers a chance to meet-up and perhaps play a game of football.

The Commonwealth’s Secretary-General has encouraged the international community to take urgent multilateral action to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. 

Commonwealth health ministers have agreed to coordinate their response in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

Countries should maintain essential health care to non-COVID-19 patients while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

A stalwart campaigner who fought on global health issues affecting the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion people has sadly died.

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts communities across the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth is urging countries and their citizens to make use of the information and resources provided by the World Health Organization.

Leading health officials are calling for urgent action to reduce the number of cancer cases in the Commonwealth, which are above global averages.

Health ministers from Southern African countries are being urged to secure the political will to prioritise funds which will fast-track the delivery of universal health coverage in the region.

At the annual Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in Geneva on Sunday, ministers discussed the need to prioritise women, youth, people with disabilities and vulnerable groups, in their ongoing push towards universal health coverage (UHC).

Commonwealth ministers of health will meet this Sunday, 19 May in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss how to accelerate universal health coverage (UHC) in their countries, in order to safeguard vulnerable populations.

Namibia’s Ombudsman has conducted a roundtable on sexual orientation and gender identity in his country with support from the Commonwealth.  The conference builds on an earlier roundtable that focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

At the 30th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in Geneva, government representatives discussed a series of bold proposals

Tackling preventable diseases, funding universal healthcare and guaranteeing cervical cancer screening for girls are among the topics that will be addressed by Commonwealth ministers at a major health summit.

An agreement signed today in Apia, Samoa will strengthen cooperation between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Pacific Community on healthcare.

Commonwealth health ministers concluded their one-day meeting on Sunday with agreements on universal health coverage, global security and violence prevention.

Commonwealth Health Ministers will gather for their annual meeting in Geneva on 21 May 2017, on the eve of the 70th World Health Assembly.

Deputy Secretary-General Josephine Ojiambo has urged the UK’s East African diaspora to work together to improve health care in the region. Dr Ojiambo, herself a Kenyan, told the 2nd UK-East African Healthcare Summit in London that as a physician she was heartened by in the diaspora’s commitment to make health a priority.

The Commonwealth will highlight the links between health and global security in a policy paper that outlines the role of health protection in addressing violence and achieving security.

Both the president and the prime minister of Sri Lanka took part in the launch of the Colombo Declaration to ensure better health across the Commonwealth.

By focusing on prevention rather than cure, countries – and especially least development countries – can get more bang for their buck when investing in national healthcare, advises the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Inclusive, affordable and sustainable sport is intrinsically linked with a healthy, happy and engaged population, writes Australia’s Minister for Sport, Sussan Ley, who is chairing the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Rio de Janeiro on 4 August.