WHO watches for new covid variants

Three years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been more than 774 million confirmed cases and more than seven million reported deaths globally, according to recent statistics by the World Health

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COVID19 a wake-up call for Pacific countries to strengthen social security systems

The COVID19 crisis was a wake-up call for many Pacific Island Countries to enhance their social security systems. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), its 14 Pacific Developing Member Countries (PMDCs) were

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WHO: Pacific islands facing a bumpy road toward the ‘Healthy Islands’ vision

Pacific island states and territories may have emerged from the worst days of the Covid-19 pandemic, but they must also brace for other disease outbreaks and climate-related disasters in the future, according to the

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‘Have courage’: Tokelau records its first four community COVID-19 cases

Tokelau remains in lockdown following the announcement of its first Covid-19 community cases. “We knew that it would eventually get to Tokelau, so we prepared,” Tokelau Government General Manager Aukusitino

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Tokelau: first COVID community case, lockdown imposed

Tokelau has confirmed its first community case of Covid-19 and a lockdown has been imposed. A spokesperson for the government has confirmed to RNZ Pacific the small nation of three atolls announced the first-ever case

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WHO chief declares end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency

The head of the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared “with great hope” an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat. “Last

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No jab, no job policy revoked in Fiji

Fiji’s Attorney General Siromi Turaga has confirmed that the government has revoked the No Jab, No Job policy. Turaga said cabinet has decided to revoke the policy, effective Thursday.  The Attorney General

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55 countries face a health worker crunch linked to COVID-19: WHO

No less than 55 countries are struggling with serious health worker shortages as they continue to seek better paid opportunities in wealthier nations that have stepped up efforts to recruit them amid the COVID-19

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WHO regional director fired for alleged racist misconduct

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has fired its top official in the Western Pacific after the Associated Press reported last year that dozens of staff members accused him of racist, abusive and unethical behaviour

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PILNA identifies room for improvement

Pacific Island teachers are satisfied and proud of their work, but many of them have high stress levels. This is one of the newly-released findings of the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) for

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Solomon Islands report show ‘internal control failures’ of COVID-19 funds

The Solomon Islands Auditor General’s Office (OAG) has identified a range of internal control failures in its recently released Audit reports into the administration of Disaster Relief Funds during the COVID-19

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New Guam bill seeks to rein in the governor’s emergency powers

In yet another attempt to clip the governor of Guam’s emergency powers, Senator Chris Duenas Tuesday introduced a bill that would authorise the legislature to terminate a public health emergency declaration. Bill 7-37

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