WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners intensifies the health response to the yellow fever epidemic in Gbudue State, South Sudan

A team of experts undertaking follow up epidemiological investigations

Juba, 1 December 2018 – Despite the ongoing complex humanitarian crises in South Sudan, the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and partners responding to the yellow fever outbreak in Gbudue State.  

Following the declaration of the Yellow Fever outbreak on 29 November 2018, WHO deployed a multidisciplinary team of experts to undertake an in-depth epidemiological; entomological; and laboratory investigations from 1 to 8 December 2018.

Cabo-Verde - Ailton Lima

Ailton Lima is a young Cabo-verdian living with HIV. At the time that he was diagnosed, in 2003, there was not much information available about the disease. Ailton explains, “We knew it existed, and we heard some foreigners talking about it.”

Mozambique - Sousa Chilaule

Mozambique - Sousa Chilaule
Sousa Chilaule, 46, widower and father of a 23-year-old girl, has been living with HIV/AIDS for almost 20 years. Even without confirmation of the diagnosis, he says that his wife, who died in 1998, “was a victim of HIV/AIDS as well”.

Botswana takes giant stride towards Institutionalization of National Health Accounts

MoHW Deputy Permanet Secretary Moses Keetile addressing the participants of the HNA TWG

Gaborone, BOTSWANA - 27th November 2018: The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHw) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with several institutional partners has commenced the generation of the 4th round of, and to institutionalize the National Health Accounts (NHA) in Botswana. The NHA is a framework for measuring total national health expenditures including public, private, and donors. It provides key indicators that are used to diagnose the ‘financial health’ of the health system.

Tailoring services to people at higher risk of HIV in Nigeria

Victor Omoshehin
Victor Omoshehin has witnessed dramatic improvements in Nigeria’s HIV response. “Patients used to wait over four hours to see a doctor, leaving endless queues at treatment sites across the country,” said Mr Omoshehin. “Some people living with HIV were crossing over two local government areas, and in some cases, traveling to other states to pick up their drugs because of stigma.”

The Gambia launches new partnerhip platform for health governance

Minister for Health & Social Welfare Hon. Dr. Isatou Touray delivering her keynote address at the Launch
The much awaited Country Health Compact has finally taken off ground.  The Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Isatou Touray, this morning, launched the Gambia’s Health Compact. The Health Compact paves the way for renewed and strategic partnership between the Government of the Republic of The Gambia and health development partners. This partnership is eventually expected to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage, i.e. access to high quality and affordable health care that will lead to improved and equitable health outcomes for all Gambians. The Health Compact is guided by the principles outlined within the framework of the International Health Partnership Plus (IHP+), the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action.

South Sudan declares Yellow fever outbreak in Sakure, Nzara County, Gbudue State

Hon. Ms Awut Deng Acuil addressing members of the press during the declaration of YF outbreak in Sakure

Juba, 29 November 2018 – The Ministry of Health has declared a Yellow Fever (YF) outbreak today (29 November) in Sakure, Nzara County, Gbudue state.

The declaration was preceded by a briefing meeting with His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of South Sudan, to gain a high level political support, commitment and advocate for improved access to the affected area.  

Cameroon - Martin Pascal Etoundi

Martin Pascal Etoundi
For sixteen years, Martin narrowly escaped death time and again. Today he describes himself as the phoenix reborn, alive and thriving, despite – or perhaps because of – living with HIV. At 24, this young man has already survived more hardships than most people face in a lifetime.