Margaret Chan Quotes
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Pandemic influenza is by nature an international issue; it requires an international solution.
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We are not in a pandemic situation. It is still an animal disease.
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If the country has invested in the training of doctors or nurses or midwives for that matter, people are beginning to say, 'Should we not ask them to serve a number of years in the country who invested in their training?' I think this is now coming to be an interesting discussion.
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Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, I have decided to raise the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5.
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Until we see further evidence, we are still at Phase 3 of the pandemic alert.
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My argument is, whatever resources you put in place, compared to the possible economic loss in the event of a pandemic, is peanuts.
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When WHO works with the private sector, the Organization takes all possible measures to ensure its work to develop policy and guidelines is protected from industry influence.
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We are taking very drastic actions to reduce the risk of avian influenza to animals and birds.
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Avian and pandemic influenza are posing a greater challenge to the world than any previous emerging infectious diseases.
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For the first time in history we can track the evolution of a pandemic in real time. Influenza viruses are notorious for their rapid mutation and unpredictable behaviour.
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A severe disease that transmits easily will leave very little international surge capacity as most countries will need their own staff and resources to combat the outbreak in their territories.
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It is meant as a fire blanket to contain damage if we receive signals and evidence from the ground that we are moving into the beginning of a pandemic.
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Health systems are social institutions. They do far more for society than deliver babies and pills, like a post office delivering parcels. Properly managed and adequately financed, a fair and equitable health system contributes to social cohesion and stability.
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I must stress that it is still a suspected case at this stage and the experts are still investigating.
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Some experts say we are moving back to the pre-antibiotic era. No. This will be a post-antibiotic era. In terms of new replacement antibiotics, the pipeline is virtually dry. A post-antibiotic era means, in effect, an end to modern medicine as we know it. Things as common as strep throat or a child's scratched knee could once again kill.
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Antimicrobial resistance is on the rise in Europe and elsewhere in the world. We are losing our first-line antimicrobials. Replacement treatments are more costly, more toxic, need much longer durations of treatment, and may require treatment in intensive care units.
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At a time of multiple calamities in the world, we cannot allow the loss of essential antimicrobials, essential cures for many millions of people, to become the next global crisis.
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We need to empower women. Give women a voice in the decision-making process. Give women a political voice where they can champion, for their own welfare. And, of course, for us. United Nations - organizations, agencies - we need to do our part.
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[we have]taming of an ancient disease [malaria] that over the centuries has killed untold millions of people.
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We cannot think of the old days when we were dealing with SARS. It's a totally different ballgame now.
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When is the next time? We don't have a time frame. I suspect it will likely to be November, if history is anything to go by.
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During the past week, indeed new confirmed cases have shown a downward trend. The situation has stabilized, ... Our estimation is that this is a result achieved through concerted efforts from all quarters.
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The unique nature about the influenza virus is its great potential for changes, for mutation.
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A health system that lacks commodities for managing high-mortality infectious diseases and the main killers of mothers and young children will not have an adequate impact. By the same token, even the best-stocked delivery system will have an inadequate impact if it fails to reach the poor.