Seychelles introduces sugary drink tax

Seychelles introduces sugary drink tax
In an effort to counter rising obesity, Seychelles introduced a tax on drinks with a high sugar content. WHO encourages countries to enact laws promoting healthier populations.

World Health Organization Eswatini Country Office staff donates towards Cyclone Idai victims.

Eswatini WCO staff members

The World Health Organization Eswatini Country Office Staff Association donated items including water purifiers and clothes to the people of Mozambique affected by tropical Cyclone Idai. Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall during the night of 14 to 15 March 2019 killing more than 1,000 people and leaving 400,000 homeless near the port city of Beira. The resulting floods have since led to outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera hence the need for water purifiers to ensure access to clean water under the prevailing circumstances.

WHO and partners successfully vaccinate over 400,000 children against Measles in Borno State -Target 838,582 children more.

Field teams administrating measles vaccine during the 1st phase of the vaccination campaign in Borno state

Maiduguri, 10 April, 2019 - With on-going Measles outbreak in Borno State, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal and State authorities, Gavi, the Vaccine alliance and Measles partners are organizing a 2-phase vaccination campaign to protect children aged between 6 and 71 months against the disease. During the first phase, 437,515 children were successfully vaccinated while 838,582 children more will be targeted in the second phase.

Ghana commemorates 2019 World Health Day

Dr Owen Kaluwa, making a statement at the function

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the WHO Country Office organized a Press Briefing at the Ministry of Health conference room to mark the World Health Day on 08 April 2019 and under the theme “Universal Health Coverage, everyone, everywhere” and the slogan of “Health for All”.

The occasion was an opportunity to increase awareness and understanding about Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as well as the objectives of the World Health Day commemoration among Partners, Stakeholders in Health and the Media .

Mauritius launched its Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme for 2019

Dr Hon A. Husnoo, Health Minister, urging people at risk of influenza complications to take advantage of the national influenza vaccination programme
The Seasonal Influence Vaccination Programme for 2019 was officially launched on 11 April 2019 by Dr Hon. Anwar Husnoo, Minister of Health and Quality of Life at Dr. Hyderkhan Mediclinic in Plaine-Verte, Mauritius. The event was attended by the general population and other relevant personalities including Dr. Laurent Musango, WHO Representative in Mauritius who sets the example by receiving the first influenza vaccine for this year-round. In his speech, Dr Hon A. Husnoo, Health Minister, pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends influenza vaccinations be offered on a routine basis every year, particularly to people at risk of influenza complications and those who live with or care for individuals at risk, as influenza is highly contagious and can rapidly spiral into serious impediments.  He added that the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life is targeting people at risk of influenza complications, but all citizens can benefit from the seasonal influenza vaccination programme as a preventive measure.

Ghana announces the roll out of Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP)

Director Public Health, Dr Badu Sakordie making his presentation

Ghana has announced the roll out of the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme in a press briefing held on 10th April 2019 in Accra.  The event was attended by the WHO Country Representative Dr Owen Kaluwa and other Officers from the Country Office, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service Dr Anthony Nsiah- Asare, Officials from the Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI), representatives of MVIP Evaluation Partners, Officials from Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA), Coalition of NGOs in Health, representatives from UNICEF and a cross section of media from print, TV and Radio.

Know your health numbers to mark World Health Day 2019

Dr Cornelia Atsyor , WHO Eswatini Country representative and Ms Thandekile Thwala, her secretary posing with service providers during the World Health Day commemoration

The Kingdom of Eswatini has intensified its focus on promoting health and wellness towards “Universal Health Coverage, everyone, everywhere”, leaving no one behind. 

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN family and other partners provided disease prevention and screening services to the people of Eswatini to mark the commemoration of the World Health Day 2019.  The services were provided free of charge in the form of a health market on 6 April at the Prince of Wales Stadium in Mbabane.