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WHO EMRO Accelerates Action Against Meningitis

Countries across the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region have accelerated national efforts to combat meningitis following a two-day peer-review workshop convened by WHO EMRO in Cairo on June 17–18, 2026.

Representatives from nine Member States — including ministries of health, public health laboratory specialists, and case management experts — reviewed and strengthened draft national meningitis action plans, identifying gaps in prevention, surveillance, and laboratory capacity.

Participants exchanged technical feedback and agreed on coordinated next steps to advance the WHO’s global roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030, which aims to:

• Eliminate bacterial meningitis epidemics
• Reduce vaccine-preventable meningitis cases by 70%
• Improve care and quality of life for survivors

The workshop built on the regional framework launched in October 2025, providing a shared direction for countries in the Region.

Key focus areas:

• Link prevention with routine immunization programmes
• Strengthen laboratory and surveillance networks
• Improve access to diagnosis and treatment
• Enhance preparedness for mass gatherings (Hajj & Umrah)

Achieving these goals requires health systems capable of maintaining high routine immunization coverage, detecting cases early, confirming the cause of illness through quality laboratory networks, and responding quickly when outbreaks emerge.

The workshop reflects growing momentum across the region to translate international commitments into practical, country-level action.

🔗 Read the full statement on WHO EMRO