Good morning, this is Elaine editor of Geneva Solutions’ Health stream, produced in collaboration with Health Policy Watch.

Today, we’re covering news about the planned launch of controversial ‘human challenge’ trials - deliberately exposing volunteers to the virus causing Covid-19. We’re watching Covid cases surge across Europe, including Switzerland. But we’re feeling hopeful about a new initiative by Swiss Solidarity to support Covid victims around the world.

22.10.2020

Today’s reason for hope

Swiss Solidarity launches national appeal to support Covid victims. Launched today, the campaign seeks to help vulnerable people in countries hit hard by the social and economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Global Health News

Human Challenge trials get underway. Are trials allowing healthy volunteers to be deliberately infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a research frivolity or essential to rapidly develop more effective vaccines?

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Looking beyond the hoped-for end to the grueling Covid-19 pandemic, TB, tobacco, and air pollution will continue to ‘steal the breath and life’ of millions every year, warn experts at the 51st Union World Conference on Lung Health.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Covid-19 second wave swells in the northern hemisphere. As cases surge across Europe, WHO warns against public ‘fatigue’ and urges countries to brace for even more cases and more vigorous action.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Here's what else is happening

UN envoy says she’s “quite optimistic" as Libya peace talks continue in Geneva.
Al Jazeera (EN)
Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga to be extradited to The Hague.
France24 (EN)
Europe are poised to back former Nigerian finance minister as WTO director-general.
Bloomberg (EN)
UN chief calls for an end to police brutality in Nigeria after reports of protesters shot dead.
UN News (EN)
Global powers push to end Nagorno-Karabakh fighting as Armenia’s president headed to Brussels for EU and NATO talks.
Reuters (EN)
Stampede of people applying for visas in Afghanistan leaves many dead.
BBC (EN)
1.4 million children at risk of homelessness and disease following floods in Pakistan.
Relief Web (EN)
Greta Thunberg accuses MEPs of ‘surrender on climate and environment’ by backing watered-down reforms.
Guardian (EN)
Contact-tracing apps: good allies against the pandemic?
Swissinfo.ch (EN)

Image of the day

Credit: Keystone/EPA/Piyal Adhikary

An Indian family visits a makeshift pandal during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata, India. From 22 to 26 October, Hindus will celebrate the annual festival that represents female power and victory of good over evil, but there are concerns mass gatherings will lead to a rise in cases of Covid-19. And it will soon be followed by a second festival of lights, Diwali, where massive use of firecrackers, torches and lanterns threatens to also exacerbate rising air pollution levels across northern India.

Next on the agenda

22 October | Online: Producing and distributing Covid-19 commodities: what else for global justice? Medical experts discuss the ethical dilemmas posed by Covid, from fair allocation of vaccines to the role of international organisations.

Global Health Centre (EN)

27 October | Online: World Health Summit: Lessons and priorities 25 years after the Beijing Platform for Action for Women. Figures from the WHO, UN and British Medical Journal will address how to better serve women’s health needs.

WHO (EN)

29 October | Online: Barcelona Health Hub Summit. The summit will discuss topics such as the role of technology in tackling pandemics and the state of digital health investment.

Barcelona Health Hub (EN)

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Have a good day!

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