South Sudan investigates the suspected Viral Haemorrhagic Fever outbreak in Yirol East, Eastern Lakes State

Case management and infection prevention and control training

Juba, 10 January 2018 – Following a report of suspected viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) outbreak in Thonabutkok village, Yirol East County on 28 December 2017, a multi-sectoral response in the context of one health was launched by the Ministry of Health, WHO and other experts from the human and animal health for an in-depth investigation to establish the cause of deaths in three people as well as reported deaths and abortions in domestic animals and wild birds.

Listeriosis outbreak in South Africa

Listeriosis Outbreak Media Briefing by South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, announced yesterday that the country has 727 laboratory-confirmed cases that occurred between January 2017 and 5 January 2018. He made this announcement at a national media conference accompanied by Prof Lucille Blumberg, Specialist Microbiologist, and Dr Juno Thomas, Head of the Centre for Enteric Diseases, both of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD); Dr Rufaro Chatora, Country Representative from the World Health Organization; Mr Mooketsa Ramasodi, Acting Director General for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF); and Ms Tiny Rennie, Acting Director-General of the Department of Health.

Hexavalent vaccine: less injections and more protection for babies

The first Mauritian baby receiving the Hexavalent vaccine in the presence of Dr A. Husnoo, Health Minister, Mrs R. Jadoo-Jaunbocus, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare and other eminent staff of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life
The Hexavalent Vaccine, a six-in-one vaccine protecting babies against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenza type B and hepatitis B was launched on 09 January 2017 at Dr M. Hyderkhan Mediclinic in Plaine Verte, Mauritius, in the presence of the Minister of Health and Quality of Life, Dr Anwar Husnoo, the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus, Dr Laurent Musango, WHO Representative in Mauritius and other eminent staff of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life.

Community engagement to find solutions to the ongoing Hepatitis E Virus outbreak in Windhoek informal settlements

WHO Country Representative Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses having a conversation with Ministry of Health and Social Services Interim Permanent Secretary, Dr Dave Uirab

An outbreak of Hepatitis E (HEV) in Windhoek was declared by the Ministry of Health and Social Services on 14 December 2017.  As of 5 January 2018, the Ministry recorded cumulative 214 cases.  Over 39% of the cases are from the Havana informal settlement and 19% from Goreagab Dam area.  Two meetings were held with community leaders from the affected communities on 31 December 2017 and on 6 January 2018.  The meetings were facilitated by Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) and WHO to discuss the outbreak in the community and agree on key action p

System-wide assessment of efficiencies across HIV, TB and MNCH Programmes in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Many health systems rely on health programmes to target interventions for specific diseases or populations. These programs can be effective while operating largely autonomously from one another in seeking to optimize the achievement of one or more specific objectives. This organizational approach, however, can also constrain the evolution of the health system in its ability to adapt to changing morbidity patterns, technological advances, among other issues. Many countries are now moving away from this vertical organizational approach towards more coordinated and integrated systems.

Eritrea Marked World Diabetes Day 2017

Students taking part at the event

World Diabetes Day 2017 was observed in Eritrea on 14 November 2017 nationally in the port city of Assab and in all zobas with the theme entitled: "Our right to a healthy future" as a diabetic week.  In this very important commemoration day the officials from the MOH Southern Red Sea, Administrator of Southern Red Sea, Directors of health services of the MOH and Chairperson of Diabetic Association, WHO staff and faith based organizations were present. The commemoration was officially opened by the Eritrean National Diabetes Association (ENDA).

Rwanda banned totally Shisha

Shisha smoking is not a better alternative to cigarettes. It harms your health

Starting Friday 15th of December 2017, Rwanda banned the smoking of water-pipe tobacco popularly known as shisha countrywide.

The Minister of Health, Dr Diane Gashumba issued a ministerial order banning shisha use in country based on WHO’s concerns about the harmful effects of Shisha tobacco on human health and recommendations to all Countries, Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control(FCTC Parties).

Public Health Association of South Africa urged to promote country's National Health Insurrance

WHO Country Representative in South Africa, Dr Rufaro Chatora, called on the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) to voice its support of and promote the Country’s proposed National Health Insurance (NHI)
The WHO Country Representative in South Africa, Dr Rufaro Chatora, called on the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) to voice its support of and promote the Country’s proposed National Health Insurance (NHI). Dr Chatora was addressing the opening plenary of the PHASA’s 13th Annual Conference that took place in Johannesburg, South Africa. “I scan media every day and I hear Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, lone voice promoting NHI. However, there is almost nothing from PHASA”.