Media consultant based in Barcelona working in global health communications. All tweets my own.
Joined July 2009
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Michael Kessler retweeted
Extraordinary that 6.5+ years after #COVID_19 #pandemic & after other serious disease outbreaks including #Ebola #mpox #MarburgVirus #hantavirus, countries still can’t find sufficient common ground on strengthening preparedness & response capacities:
abcnews.com/Health/wireStory…
Michael Kessler retweeted
It’s disappointing that UN High-Level #Pandemic PPPR Meeting wasn’t asked to endorse political declaration negotiated by Member States. It will likely go to a vote at General Assembly, but HLM not approving shows how divided world is: nytimes.com/2026/09/25/us/po… @NYTimes @TheIndPanel
Michael Kessler retweeted
On #WorldDrugDay, we recognize that drug policy stands at a crossroads.
Ten years after the 2016 UNGASS on drugs, evidence is clear: punitive approaches have failed to reduce drug use or supply, while contributing to significant health, social, and human rights harms.
At the same time, progress is possible. Around the world, governments and communities are advancing harm reduction, decriminalization, and other evidence-informed and people-centered approaches that better protect health, dignity, and wellbeing.
📄 Learn more about what can be done in “Taking Control: Pathways to Drug Policies That Work” (available in Arabic, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian & Spanish): globalcommissionondrugs.org/…
#SupportDontPunish #DrugPolicy #HarmReduction
Michael Kessler retweeted
UNAIDS is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Pokrovsky, a distinguished academic, our trusted partner, advocate and friend for many years.
We are grateful for his dedication, professionalism and immense contribution to the global HIV response.
Our heartfelt condolences go to his family, colleagues and the HIV community across Russia and EECA.
unaids.org/en/resources/pres…
Michael Kessler retweeted
Prevention of, preparedness for, & rapid responses to disease outbreaks are essential. Our open letter calls on WHO Member States to finish the job on negotiating the #PandemicAgreement & ensure adequate resources to stop outbreaks in their tracks. politico.eu/article/ebola-ha…
Michael Kessler retweeted
SA has the world’s highest number of new #HIV infections. Yet the country’s first supply of the new anti-HIV jab, #lenacapavir, will only cover around 456 000 people over 2 years. Experts say far more doses are needed to make a real dent in infections. bhekisisa.org/article/2026-0…
Michael Kessler retweeted
“International (#pandemic) treaty sorely needed. 5 years into negotiations, it’s clear that western backers of this plan, especially in Europe, have consistently presented it as fait accompli, while avoiding most basic & obvious political impasse b4 them.” theguardian.com/commentisfre…
Michael Kessler retweeted
Since opening the The Thistle has been used more than 15,000 times and have safely managed 137 overdoses.The Thistle is saving lives. We know it works and that’s why there needs to be a network of facilities across the country to support those who are affected by public injecting
The head of one of Scotland’s longest-established drug charities has called for more legal consumption facilities to be set up around the country, describing the centre in Glasgow as “invaluable”.
news.stv.tv/west-central/dru…
Michael Kessler retweeted
🇲🇽🏥 SHEINBAUM TO DECREE UNIVERSAL HEALTH SYSTEM
By presidential decree, any Mexican will be able to receive healthcare at any public institution, regardless of enrollment.
120M to be credentialized starting April 13, with a unified digital platform connecting medical records, labs, AI tools and resources across systems.
"When we leave office, any Mexican will be able to go get care for any illness at any health institution."
Michael Kessler retweeted
More than 60% of the 8,500 registered small and medium pharmaceutical units in India may be forced to shut shop by the end of this month for failing to comply with the guidelines on good manufacturing practices.
#ScheduleM @CDSCO_INDIA_INF
Michael Kessler retweeted
For 1st time, medical #oxygen access on the agenda at @UnionConference in #Copenhagen!
Medical oxygen is an essential medicine for 374M patients every yr, including many with #TB #pneumonia #COPD & more
👉 thelancet.com/commissions-do…
@LancetGH #WCLH2025 #GO2AL #InvestinOxygen
Michael Kessler retweeted
Over the past year, I've learned a lot about COPD – a respiratory disease that's the world's 4th leading cause of death, yet still little known. COPD deaths are mostly preventable, but only if governments act. My story
@WPReview:
worldpoliticsreview.com/copd…
#health #COPD #UNGA
Michael Kessler retweeted
Colombia’s calls for global decriminalization and coca destigmatization have elevated its voice in the debate, but not necessarily its ability to set the rules, writes @Miehdahl. foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/19…
Michael Kessler retweeted
The world’s top cocaine producer is pushing drug reform at the UN. But the US just decertified Colombia as a counternarcotics partner—for the first time in nearly 30 years. What's at stake for overdue drug reform?
My story @ForeignPolicy:
foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/19…
#colombia #UNGA
Michael Kessler retweeted
Amid Europe’s worst drug crisis, @POLITICOEurope spotlights The Thistle - the UK’s 1st supervised drug consumption facility.
#GCDP Commissioners @HelenClarkNZ & @Kazatchkine visited the site in July with @MareeToddMSP (@scotgov) & @AllanCasey89 (@GlasgowCC) to learn about its role in saving lives, connecting people to support, and strengthening communities.
#DrugPolicy #HarmReduction #PublicHealth
Read the article ⬇️
Amid Europe’s worst drug crisis, Glasgow is changing course.
politico.eu/article/europe-w…
Michael Kessler retweeted
The overdose crisis is a public health crisis. In the lead-up to International Overdose Awareness Day this Sunday, we spotlight three cities working with community-based groups to #EndOverdose and save lives.
#IOAD2025 #Cities4Health
Michael Kessler retweeted
Health taxes can be a powerful tool to reduce harmful product consumption, improve health outcomes, and generate revenue. Let's talk about it!
👉 Register here: vitalstrat.org/44Qgj8U
Join us for a virtual briefing to explore insights and evidence-based policy recommendations from our new publication: The Future of Health Financing in Africa: The Role of Health Taxes.
🗓️ July 29
🕓 12:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. CAT
📍 Online
💬 Live Q&A
Michael Kessler retweeted
Drugs Policy Minister @MareeToddMSP joined delegates from @globalcdp for a tour of the Thistle Safer Drug Consumption Facility in Glasgow.
The Thistle service has already helped save lives and supported many people who would otherwise not be engaging with any services.
ALT Drugs Policy Minister Maree Todd visits The Thistle safer consumption facility in Glasgow.
Michael Kessler retweeted
🚨 Reflections from the powerful session on “Navigating the Synthetic Drug Challenges” led by Steve Rolles and Dr. Caroline Copeland (UK):
We are entering a new and dangerous era in global drug policy. What we heard today confirms the urgency.
👇 Here are two key takeaways from the discussion:
Tweet 1
A new drug crisis is coming — faster, deadlier, and harder to stop.
Forget heroin. Synthetic opioids like nitazenes are up to 500x more potent than fentanyl, which is itself 50x stronger than heroin.
They’re cheap, easy to make, and impossible to control.
This is a public health timebomb.
Tweet 2
💡 Repression won’t solve the synthetic drug crisis.
Cartels now need just a greeting card’s worth of powder to ship thousands of lethal doses.
We must invest in:
✅ Regulated safer supply
✅ Drug checking & naloxone
✅ Education
✅ Decriminalization
The time to act is now.
#SyntheticDrugs #PublicHealth #DrugReform @SteveTransform
@HelenClarkNZ
@Kazatchkine
@richardbranson
@ProfAdeeba
@ElBaradei
@MichelSidibe
@nickclegg
@ExRelator_ONU
@Oolusegun_obj
@GPapandreou
@JuanManSantos
@FHC
@RicardoLagos
@JoseRamosHorta1
Michael Kessler retweeted
"The cartels are becoming stronger than the states of many countries."
Former president of Colombia and @globalcdp commissioner @JuanManSantos on why greater cooperation is needed between countries in tackling the drug cartels controlling the illicit drugs trade.
Watch the event: bit.ly/44JkowW