Abuja January 25, 2022 - Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is based on principles of equity. As such, in renewed efforts to strengthen equity and gender responsive health systems in Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) to develop guidelines and policies that will aid in addressing key gender issues in the country.

A Namibian visual artist, Hage Mukwendje, handed over a special painting to the World Health Organization on 21 January 2022 at the UN-House, Windhoek, Namibia.   The painting was done as part of the LEAD Innovation Challenge Grand Finale event held end of last year on the 24th of November 2021 and illustrates the importance of respecting our environment for future generations. 

Ms Teopista is a mother of two little boys and a girl, all eligible for the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). For her, the launch of the National House-to-House Polio Immunization campaign could not have come at a better time.

“When we were growing up, there weren’t many vaccines to prevent diseases and many children fell sick and died, I, therefore, can’t let the chance to give my children a healthy life through vaccination, pass me by,” she enthused.

Birnin-Kebbi, 21 January, 2022 - I learnt about cervical cancer and people dying from the disease while carrying out my duty as a journalist. I never took time to know my status until October 2021, when an expert reiterated that early detection is key to surviving any form of cancer”, says Adenike Tambe, a health journalist living in Abuja. 

Minna, 20 January 2022 - In line with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation for screening and treatment to prevent cervical cancer, the Niger State Government has begun screening women for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cancer prevention services in nine Local Government Areas (LGA). 

The pilot scheme, which will be in phases, targets about 5,000 women in Chanchaga, Paikoro, Suleja, Bosso, Gbako, Borgu, Kontagora, Lapai and Mokwa LGA. 

The exercise aims to reduce the prevalence of cancer in Niger State. 

 As 2022 begins, health experts in Kenya have enough to reflect and act on towards vaccine acceleration efforts and sustenance of COVID-19 preventive and safety measures.