Rose Oulemou: A trusted voice for vaccination in Guinea

Conakry—In the Ansoumania health zone, in the commune of Kagbelen, Conakry, Rose Oulemou is much more than a community health worker. For more than five years, she has been informing, reassuring and supporting families to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Her regular presence in the field and her closeness to residents make her a trusted voice, capable of dispelling doubts and bringing families closer to health services.

“My role in my community is to raise awareness to prevent avoidable diseases and ensure surveillance,” she explains.

WHO supporting Guinea restore vaccine capacity after fire damage

Conakry - Following a fire accident at a vaccine depot in Guinea’s capital Conakry, World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the authorities to devise urgent measures, including securing remaining vaccine stocks, to limit loss and prolonged impact of the damage. 

A crisis cell has been set up and contingency plans are being reinforced. 

Bringing care closer to eliminate cervical cancer

For several years many women across Guinea lacked access to screening services for cervical cancer—the most common cancer among women—especially in remote areas. A concerted push by the health authorities to integrate cervical cancer screening in sexual and reproductive health services, thousands of women now have the chance of early detection and adequate support.

Ending Marburg outbreak swiftly

When a man in Temessadou M’Boket – a village in the densely forested southern Guinea region – died in early August 2021 after suffering fever, headache and haemorrhage, Fassara Diawara, the head of a local clinic, was quick to act. 

In Guinea, a fight to end mother-to-child HIV transmission

Conakry – When Rama learned that she was pregnant, her joy soon gave way to a wrenching anxiety that remained until the moment of delivery: she discovered at the same time that she was HIV-positive and wanted only for her child to be born free of the virus.

“My daughter was born with HIV. I couldn’t protect her because I wasn’t aware of my status prior to my pregnancy,” said the 38-year-old mother of two. “In the case of my second child the doctor explained that it was entirely possible to have a healthy, HIV-negative child if one takes medicine faithfully.”