Borno State launches first Malaria Operational Plan, reawakens fight against malaria 

Group photograph during launch of Borno Malaria MOAP.jpg

Maiduguri, 13 August 2019 - Following recommendations from malaria interventions in Borno State Nigeria, the Malaria Annual Operational Plan (MAOP) was developed and launched on 08 August 2019 with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners. Aligned to the National Malaria Strategic Plan (2014 -2020), MAOP was developed through a broad-based stakeholders workshop involving malaria stakeholders, reviewed on different thematic areas and endorsed by the Commissioner for Health and Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Health. 

WHO and partners step up preparedness to Ebola threat in two regions

Exercise Management Team conducting onsite training
The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains precarious, with infection transmissions continuing to occur in communities and health facilities. As of 23 July 2019 a total of   2,612 and 1, 756 deaths have been recorded. Although the number of cases have remained constant its geographical spread to Goma is of concern.  As such, the United Republic of Tanzania remains at risk of cross-border transmission of Ebola, because it borders and has significant human traffic with the DRC

Turning Communities into Partners in the Fight Against Ebola

Community engagement in the Ebola Virus Disease response

Bundibugyo, 14 August 2019:- Kambayaya Tembo lives in the Bundibugyo District, Uganda. He rushed to his family when his wife, Florence, called with the terrible news that his brother had died in their house. His first instruction to her was to keep the children away from the body – no one should touch it.

His greatest fear was that his brother could have died of Ebola because the young man worked at a town close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak has entered its second year.

WHO and MOH brief Malawian journalists about the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak situation in the African Region

Dr Nonhlanhla Dlamini, WHO Reresentative Malawi speaking to the audience during the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak status in African Region press conference at MOH Headquarters, Lilongwe
On 13 August 2019 journalists from five media institutions namely; Malawi News Agency, The Times Group, Nations Publication Limited, Zodiak Broadcasting Station and Malawi Broadcasting Coorporation  in Malawi were informed of the status of the Ebola Disease outbreak in the African Region. This took place at a press conference that took place at Ministry of Health and Population headquarters in Lilongwe. The Guest of Honour was the Minister of Health, Honorable Mr Jappie Mhango, MP.

Nigeria introduces Meningitis A Conjugate Vaccine into Routine EPI Schedule

01 ED of NPHCDA administering vaccine to launch Meningitis A Conjugate Vaccine into Routine EPI Schedule.jpg

Abuja, 12 August, 2018 - Nigeria has introduced the Meningitis A Conjugate Vaccine into the routine Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) schedule. 

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at the Area 2 Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) on 09 August, 2019, the Executive Director (ED) of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib said, “Men A remains a major global challenge.” According to the ED,”25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) fall within the meningitis belt; putting 26.7 Nigerians at risk of meningitis”.

WHO interventions in underprivileged communities positively impact RI turnout, disease surveillance

WHO’s Ima Okon and Nurse Sesefu Ayenajeh reviewing the routine immunization register at Aso Pada PHC, Nassarawa State_0.jpg

Abuja 08 August 2019 – Located in a slum on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at Dutse-Alhaji Primary Health Care Centre (PHC), baby Gift Okorie gazes deeply at Nurse Margaret Okpara as she drops a tinge of Vitamin A in her mouth. 

“I’m happy that the majority of mothers at our facility have been consistent with the necessary routine immunization for their infants. I wish all Nigerian parents take routine immunization (RI) as seriously as these parents do,” she says. 

Improve funding for hepatitis testing and treatment services – WHO Representative for Ghana

Dr Kaluwa making a statement at the function

Dr Owen Laws Kaluwa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, has called for improved funding for hepatitis testing and treatment services.
He noted that despite available diagnostic tools and effective treatment, less than one in ten of the 71 million people with hepatitis B and C in Africa had access to testing, and more than 200,000 die each year due to complications like end-stage liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.