WHO concerned about attacks on health workers

The World Health Organization on Wednesday said that it was "increasingly concerned" about attacks on civilians and health workers following a deadly attack on a a maternity hospital in Afghanistan on Tuesday.

The comment came from Mike Ryan, head of the Health Emergencies Programme at WHO, who also said that the pandemic is bringing out the "best" and the "worst" in people.

"It's bringing out reactionary groups, it's bringing out and enhancing discrimination", he said

"We're seeing the facilitation of extreme responses in which people are feel empowered to take out their frustrations on individuals who are purely trying to help and help communities."

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's Director-General said peace must be prioritised in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

"I urge all stakeholders to put aside politics and prioritize peace", he said.

The global pandemic has sickened more than 4,1 million people, killed more than 283,000 worldwide, crippled economies and forced restrictions on the movement of millions of people in an effort to stop the virus from spreading further and overwhelming health care systems.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. But it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death for some people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.