The pandemic has impacted the availability of medicines, increased demand for drugs used to treat #COVID19 & disrupted mental health & substance abuse services. More in latest report from the International Narcotics Control Board. bit.ly/31hoQS7 #INCB

Yesterday, the #CND66 Chair Ambassador Miguel Camilo Ruiz Blanco provided an update on the preparations for the 66th session of the #CND in March 2023 and the 2024 mid-term review of international drug policy commitments during the 136th session of the #INCB 🇺🇳

INCB has concluded its 136th session. My thanks to the Members of the Board, and secretariat & conference staff for their work. Looking forward to launching the #INCB 2022 reports on 9 March & to continuing to support States in implementing the drug control treaties #SDG3 #Health

Thanks to South Africa SA Embassy Austria for organizing the #CND66 side event #NoPatientLeftBehind on #availability, #affordability & #AccessToMedicines containing internationally controlled substances. Pleased to join & share the findings of #INCB's special report on this topic.

Thanks The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) for organising inter-ministerial meeting on global lac of availability of controlled medicines. Michel Kazatchkine "world needs to move out of complacency & stagnation" ghada "Alarming gap in availability of controlled meds.. Shared responsibility to close!"

Dr Zingela INCB. "Access disparities highlight multiple structural challenges. Key issue lack of affordable substances such as morphine,mostly converted into other drugs with > profit margins such as codeine instead of being used for #palliativecare." The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP)

Grateful to have shared yesterday with Governments #INCB’s operational responses to counter the public health threats posed by trafficking in synthetic #drugs and their #precursors. #SDG3

Thanks to fellow Board Members & staff for their work during #INCB’s 138th session, which concluded today. Looking forward to continuing our work over the intersessional period to support States in implementing the drug control treaties & safeguarding health & welfare.

#DidYouKnow: 2 epidemics of opioid misuse (fentanyls & tramadol) are causing deaths & health problems. People misuse pharmaceuticals to self-medicate, intensify effects of other drugs, overcome side effects, or alleviate withdrawal symptoms. bit.ly/CNDTD2023 #Midterm2024

#DidYouKnow: Access to controlled medicines is unequal. In 2021, low- & middle-income countries, ca. 85% of 🌎 population, consumed only 11% of the global amount of internationally controlled opioids available for medical use Find out more: bit.ly/CNDTD2023 #Midterm2024

#CND66 thematic discussions kick off with welcoming remarks by Amb. Miguel Camilo Ruiz Blanco Cancillería Colombia, Jean-Luc Lemahieu delivering a statement on behalf of UNODC Executive Director Ghada Fathi Waly, and Director of WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

DIRCO South Africa today was another great day for South Africa at the UN, Professor Zukiswa Zingela was re-elected to the International Narcotics Control Board for another term following a tightly contested vote at the ECOSOC subsidiary body elections at the UNHQ in New York. #SAatUN

🎉Congratulations to Board Members César T. ARCE RIVAS Cesar Arce 🇵🇾 Pierre LAPAQUE Pierre Lapaque 🇫🇷 Jagjit PAVADIA Pavadia Jagjit 🇮🇳 Jallal TOUFIQ INCB President 🇲🇦 Zukiswa ZINGELA Z.Z 🇿🇦 for their re-election to #INCB (2025-2030) incb.org/incb/en/about/…

Wishing #INCB’s Standing Committee on Estimates a successful meeting today. Chaired by 2nd Vice-President Dr. Zukiswa Zingela Z.Z, the Committee reviews countries' estimates of requirements of controlled substances, with the aim of ensuring availability for licit purposes.

Honoured to have been re-elected as #INCB President & grateful for the Board’s trust & support. Congratulations to the newly-elected officers. We look forward to continuing to support States in safeguarding health & welfare through treaty implementation incb.org/incb/en/news/p…

The short learning programme was developed by psychiatrist professor Zukiswa Zingela, after research on how best to support healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically in settings with limited resources. #sabcnews

Managing stress, anxiety and heightened emotions amid stressful situations.All done from the comfort of your home or workplace with just a click of the mouse.The online short course promises to enhance your coping skills in just a few hours. #sabcnews

The programme is already open for registration. It is accessible countrywide for both face-to-face learning and online. #sabcnews

Because true progress comes when we celebrate the strength of diversity and ensure every voice is heard. Congratulations to our 2024 underrepresented scholars award winners! 🏆

We are thrilled to announce that Yolanda Mbalentle Mngcongo has been crowned the 2024 FameLab South Africa National Winner! Her groundbreaking research on Indigenous Medicine captivated the judges and showcased the rich heritage and potential of traditional healing practices.