WHO policy brief on COVID-19 infodemic management

The WHO policy brief on COVID-19 infodemic management outlines key actions for countries to consider when developing infodemic management policies, focusing on opportunities for strengthening and supporting such a network of actors.

The policy brief on infodemic management can be used by health authorities to support the development of a comprehensive infodemic management strategy, adapted to their country that leverages these activities efficiently. The brief highlights the importance of equipping health workers with skills to address health misinformation and the need for designated infodemic management teams to generate rapid actionable insights for health systems.

The policy brief is available in all official WHO languages.

The key points in the policy brief: 1. Train health workers, who are often the most trusted source of health information, to better identify and address health misinformation. 2. Tailor health, information and digital literacy initiatives to specific populations, and seek to debunk misinformation before it is widely disseminated through digital media and other channels. 3. Strive to develop high-quality, accessible health information in different digital formats designed for reuse, remixing and sharing and for rapid digital spread through social networks. 4. Establish an infodemic workforce for rapid infodemic insights generation and response, if necessary, by training staff to fulfil these functions; and ensure this function is clearly linked to and aligned with risk communications and community engagement efforts…more

Long covid—an update for primary care

#LongCOVID (prolonged symptoms following covid-19 infection) is common.
The mainstay of management is supportive, holistic care, symptom control, and detection of treatable complications.
Many patients can be supported effectively in #primaryhealthcare by a GP with a special interest…more

Invitation: CSO consultation on Pandemic FIF

Pandemic Action Network, the Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), the Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organisations (EANNASO), and WACI Health invite you to an official Civil Society Organization (CSO) consultation for the design phase of the new Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPR).

Two dates and times have been set to engage partners from multiple geographies and in multiple languages (English, French, and Spanish interpretation will be provided for each session). The focus of these first two consultations will be the same, so please choose the date and time that works best for you

August 16
2pm-3:30pm WIB (Jakarta) / 10am-11:30am EAT (Nairobi) / 8am-9:30am BST (London)


August 17
4pm-5:30pm BST (London) / 11am-12:30pm ET (New York) / 10am-11:30am CDT (Mexico City)

Register here

WHO publication “Implication of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Patient Safety: A Rapid Review”, Tuesday, 09 August 2022

Dear Colleagues,

Greetings from the WHO Patient Safety Flagship in Geneva.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted nearly all countries’ health systems and diminished their capability to provide safe health care, specifically due to errors, harm and delays in diagnosis, treatment and care management. In preparation for the forthcoming fifth Global Ministerial Summits on Patient Safety, scheduled to be held on 23-24 February 2023 in Montreux, Switzerland as the host country, has been working with WHO to better understand the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for patient safety.

As part of this ongoing initiative, WHO Patient Safety Flagship is planning to launch the publication “Implication of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Patient Safety: A Rapid Review”, in a virtual event on Tuesday, 09 August 2022, 14:00-15:30 (CEST).

The objectives of this event are to:

– provide an overview of implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for patients, health workers, and the general public

– highlight the importance of managing risks and addressing avoidable harm in a pandemic situation

– discuss implications of the pandemic for patient safety within the broader context of preparedness, response and recovery

– lay the foundation for follow-up work around generating more robust evidence and supporting countries in their efforts to build resilient and safer health care systems.

We hope that you join us for this event on Tuesday, 09 August 2022 at 14:00-15:30 CEST.

Please register at the link. https://echo.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yVOgkzyvSaCzPXW1r6CY5A, also included in the attached flyer [HIFA does not carry attachments].

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, French and Spanish.


Thanks and best regards,

Dr Neelam DHINGRA
Unit Head
WHO Patient Safety Flagship/