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Manzari: WHO Didn’t Approve Any Drugs for Treating COVID-19

WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al-Manzari
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al-Manzari
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Manzari: WHO Didn’t Approve Any Drugs for Treating COVID-19

WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al-Manzari
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al-Manzari

In June 2018, Ahmed Al-Manzari was appointed the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite not occupying the post for long, Manzari faced a multitude of crises due to the region’s poor health systems that have been wracked by conflict.

Manzari, who achieved “great success” in developing the health system in his home country, the Sultanate of Oman, before assuming his regional position, now faces a radical challenge posed by the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Manzari, alongside the WHO, has also been fighting back a lot of rumors spread on social media around the virus.

When asked about the truth behind antimalarial drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine, being used as a cure for the new coronavirus, Manzari expressed growing concerns towards the misuse of drugs with COVID-19 patients.

“This is a worrying situation for us, as there are currently no WHO approved drugs available for treating COVID-19. Another concern is the harmful effect of the use of such (anti-malaria) drugs in terms of drug interactions between different types of drugs and side effects,” Manzari told Asharq Al-Awsat.

As for rumors about a vaccine being developed rapidly, before the end of 2020, Manzari said that developing a vaccine takes years, but that successive health emergencies faced by the world have pushed international efforts closer and strengthened research cooperation.

This, according to the WHO regional director, can speed up the time needed to develop a vaccine and a treatment for the virus.

“Indeed, we were able to develop the Ebola vaccine in much less time, and we are currently working with partners to do the same about COVID-19,” Manzari said.

“To date, the World Health Organization has received requests to review and approve 40 diagnostic tests and 20 vaccines under development, and we confirm that many clinical trials for treatments are already underway, and that all steps and measures that ensure the safety, security, and effectiveness of vaccines and treatments are followed,” he added.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.