Memorandum of Understanding agreement signed today focuses on ending the COVID-19 pandemic, advancing Universal Health Coverage, addressing vaccine equity, strengthening digital health systems and working towards global health security
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Commonwealth and WHO to strengthen cooperation on health, including access to vaccines
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Every ten seconds in the Commonwealth someone is diagnosed with cancer, and every 18 seconds someone dies because of cancer.
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World Cancer Day: Reducing the rising cancer burden in the Commonwealth
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Learn more about Accelerating UHC and Other Commonwealth Commitments
Report urges governments to build resilient education systems to ensure sustained learning for all.
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New education study offers strategies to fill COVID learning gaps
7 February 2022 to 7 February 2022
Event
On 7 February 2022, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Health Organization (WHO) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration in seven priority areas.
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Learn more about our work to build equitable and resilient health systems for Commonwealth citizens
On Human Rights Day, The Commonwealth's Dr Shavana Haythornthwaite and Dr Justin Pettit, explain that human rights are also a crucial part of the solution to effectively addressing environmental degradation and climate change.
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Human Rights Day: From recognition to action on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment
During London Global Cancer Week (15-19 November), the Commonwealth Secretariat hosted two events to shine a spotlight on cancer, one of the leading causes of morbidity and death in the world.
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London Global Cancer Week 2021
After three years in the making, last week the Commonwealth Secretariat launched its new Voluntary Information and Price-Sharing database (VIPSD). One-third of the world’s population lacks access to essential medicines, with most of them living in poor countries, while rising prices of new drugs are becoming a challenge in wealthy states. And, since the global Covid-19 pandemic, the urgent need for essential medicines has intensified.
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Commonwealth Launches Voluntary Information and Price Sharing Database
At UNCTAD15 in Barbados, Commonwealth Secretary-General spoke on a hybrid virtual and in-person roundtable on the theme of ‘Regional integration for a resilient, inclusive and sustainable future’.
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Our most urgent priority must be greater access to vaccines, says Commonwealth Secretary-General at UNCTAD15
A new tracker has been launched to help Commonwealth countries monitor progress towards halving malaria cases by 2023 and ultimately ending the disease by 2030.
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Malaria tracker launched to help affected Commonwealth countries tackle the disease
A blog by Tukiya-Kaunda Mutupa, a Health Consultant at the Commonwealth Secretariat
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Blog: Why the current state of cervical cancer reveals global inequities
Commonwealth health ministers have today issued a joint statement after their annual meeting in which they called for swift and equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for everyone around the world. In the statement on behalf of the 54 Commonwealth member countries, they expressed deep concern over the stark gaps in access and delivery of doses, especially in poor countries, and called for “fair and transparent” pricing for the vaccine.
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Commonwealth health ministers demand equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for the world
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Union for International Cancer Control have launched a new taskforce to step up efforts towards preventing and treating cervical cancer.
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New taskforce to help steer Commonwealth towards cervical cancer elimination
Continuing determined action is needed for malaria rates to fall by more than 50 per cent by 2023 to meet the target set out by Commonwealth leaders, the Secretary-General urged on World Malaria Day.
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Commonwealth countries must sustain action on halving malaria by 2023 amid COVID-19
Poorer countries will most likely “bear the brunt of hundreds of thousands of needless deaths” from inequalities in access to Covid-19 vaccines.
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Poor countries could face grave death toll from lack of access to Covid vaccines
Commonwealth Law Ministers have called for increased international co-operation to enable equal access to Covid-19 vaccinations.
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Law Ministers call for international co-operation on COVID-19 vaccines
Today, people across the globe will pause to focus on one of the most persistent and vicious epidemics in our history: AIDS. Three letters that have caused unprecedented suffering and loss across generations and around our world.
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World AIDS Day: Eliminating triple threat of HIV, gender-based violence and cervical cancer
Health advocates, cancer survivors and celebrities have joined the Commonwealth’s campaign to eradicate cervical cancer in its 54 countries.
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Health advocates, survivors and celebrities join Commonwealth campaign against cervical cancer
The Commonwealth will lead a global movement this week aimed at urging countries to make an ambitious plan to eliminate the most preventable cancers.
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Commonwealth leads global movement on cancer prevention
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.
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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.
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World Mental Health Day: Commonwealth Secretary-General urges countries to modernise mental health legislation
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.
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BLOG: How a new sporting course can boost health and community spirit during COVID