Conakry, 20 April 2012 -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, has urged countries in the ECOWAS sub-region to accelerate efforts towards addressing the  recent outbreaks of polio and meningitis (W135).

In a speech read on his behalf by Dr Lussamba-Dikassa Director of the African Programme on Onchocerciasis (APOC), at the Thirteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Health Ministers held in Conakry, Guinea from 20-21 April 2012, Dr Sambo noted that the resurgence of polio justifies its being considered as a public health emergency at the national level. He acknowledged the remarkable efforts of countries in the sub-region in tackling Meningitis A, with the MenAfricVac, and called for urgent actions to tackle the Meningitis W135 strain.

The Regional Director reminded delegates that the global financial crisis and droughts has contributed to the food insecurity and cases of malnutrition in the Sahel region. He echoed the UN Secretary-General’s appeal to the global community to act quickly to prevent this crisis from escalating.

Dr Sambo underscored the importance of making the African Public Health Emergency Fund operational adding that natural and man-made disasters have a significant impact on health systems and the health of populations. He stressed the need for peace and stability which are indispensable conditions for health and development.

The two-day Ministerial session attended by 15 Health Ministers, was preceded by a Partners Forum on 19 April 2012 and Health Experts Committee meeting on 17-18 April 2012 respectively.

During his stay in Guinea Conakry, Dr Sambo paid a courtesy call on President Alpha CONDE. Both parties discussed health issues related to the ECOWAS sub-Region.

The Regional Director also met with the Minister of Health and HIV/AIDS Control of Cote d’Ivoire, Professor Thérèse A. N’DRI-YOMAN, who is also the current President of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa and President of the Assembly of ECOWAS Health Ministers. Their discussions focused on technical cooperation on priority public health issues of the ECOWAS Member States notably the strengthening of health systems, the control of non-communicable diseases and efforts towards the attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDG)s. Preparations for the WHO Regional Committee (RC62) and the participation of the African Region at the 65th Session of the World Health Assembly were also discussed.

Dr Sambo, accompanied by the Dr René Zitsamelé-CODDY, WHO Representative to Guinea Conakry, also held a working session with the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr Naman Keita and his Cabinet.

For more information, please contact:

Collins Boakye-Agyemang
Tel: + 472 413 9420
E-mail: Boakyec [at] afro.who.int