Global Admin

May 31, World No Tobacco Day “Commit to Quit.”

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For 34 years since the historic resolution WHA42.19 was passed, World No Tobacco Day is celebrated on the 31st of May to raise awareness about the risks of tobacco use and its devastating effects on global health.

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Roughly 8 million people die from tobacco-related diseases each year and respiratory diseases with one of the highest incidences are caused or worsened by tobacco use or smoke exposure.

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Although this epidemic remains the most preventable cause of lung disease both in adults and children, the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic released in 2019 shows that only 23 countries worldwide provide comprehensive cessation programmes that meet the best-practice levels.

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Without solid commitments, meeting the targets of the Sustainable Development Agenda aims to reduce deaths from non-infectious diseases by a third, is far from reach.

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The South-Eastern Europe Health Network joins the WHO annual pledge and calls on policymakers and stakeholders to reduce the burden on healthcare systems that is caused by tobacco by enhancing the political and financial support to tobacco cessation services.

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The World Health Organization awarded Mr. Cornel Radu-Loghin, the Secretary-General of the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP) with one of the World No Tobacco Day 2021 Awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the tobacco control field.

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A Romanian national, Mr. Radu-Loghin set up the ENSP Network in 1997 under Belgium law, and expanded it gradually to 36 countries, supporting activists to promote comprehensive tobacco control policies. More recently, the ENSP was actively involved in the context of the launch of United Action Against Cancer, a Pan-European cancer movement, and the European Union’s Beating Cancer Plan. Awards were also presented to the Research Group on Tobacco Control; the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; the German Network of Tobacco Free Hospitals and Health Services of the Federal Republic of Germany; and Dr. Müserref Pervin Tuba Durga, Vice President for Health, Family, Labor and Social Affairs of the Commission of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey.

Regional ToT COVID-19 vaccine training program for frontline responders

News

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The second year of COVID-19 pandemic is only deepening the economic crisis, the health toll is inestimable and the future consequences are yet another check to be paid. At this stage, immunization is key to unlock the path towards building back.

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The COVID-19 immunization is scaled-up globally on a different path and scale and the SEEHN Member States also vary depending on an array of factors. However, SEEHN stands by to promote large-scale vaccination, fostering for better emergency preparedness and eventually prepare further for future roll-out within the younger population.

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In this light, the South-Eastern Europe Health Network jointly with Project HOPE and the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies at the Watson Institute of Brown University have organized the COVID-19 vaccine training program for frontline responders, on 20 May 2021. Member States Ministries of Health demonstrated huge commitment and mobilization efforts.

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As result of strong commitment and contribution of the National Focal Points nominated by respective Ministries of Health, the training gathered over 150 frontline workers from the SEEHN Member States. It offered the platform to discuss the latest science behind different vaccines available on the market, concerns and answers, vaccine rollout communications, prioritization systems and country specific guidelines.

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Additionally, the trainees had the opportunity to hear the first-hand experience and the State of Israel successful story in details. It also covered the adjustments and solutions, future steps and expert opinions.

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Finally, this training of trainers is expected to be rolled out within the SEEHN Member States and multiply the end beneficiaries over 1200 and scale-down further. These trainings aim to shape skills and equip the health care workers for a rapid and safe response.