Abuja, 09 June 2017 - With the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in the northwestern states of Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, the World Health Organization (WHO) through its collaborative networks, has developed the capacity of the existing laboratory in Ahmed Sani Yeriman Bakura specialist hospital Gusau, Zamfara state to a standard public health laboratory. The upgraded facility is now capable of meningitis diagnosis and isolation of meningitis organisms, thus enabling meningitis diagnosis.

Lusaka, 9 June 2017 - The WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Moeti has appointed Dr. Custodia Das Dores Isaac Mandlhate, a national of Mozambique as the Acting WHO Representative for Zambia. Dr. Mandlhate takes over from Dr. Jacob Mufunda who has been reassigned to the WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville. Dr. Mandlhate arrived in Zambia on 6 June 2017. She was warmly welcomed by the WHO Country Office staff.

Juba, 8 June 2017 - In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has rolled out an electronic surveillance system called Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS) to enhance the collection, management and analysis of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) data.

From 4-6 April, a strategic partnership for country planning consultation took place to develop Eritrea’s five year national action plan for health security at Hotel Asmara Palace. The main objective of the workshop was to clarify the need for a unified National Action Plan for Health Security.

The President of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched “The Presidential Fast-track Initiative on ending HIV&AIDS in Uganda by 2030.” This is the first such initiative in Africa and the entire world.

31 May 2017, Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana: Botswana commemorated World No Tobacco Day in the copper mining town of Selebi-Phikwe. The commemoration was headlined by the Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness Honourable Phillip Makgalemele, who pleaded with the public to monitor and curb the impact of tobacco on their health, income and social life.

In the busy corridors of a Yaoundé hospital, Esther Sabouangis is attending an antenatal appointment. She is in her early thirties and expecting her third child.

06 June 2017 - The Kingdom of Swaziland is among 21 countries globally with the potential to interrupt indigenous malaria transmission by 2020 thereby achieving the goal of malaria elimination. Following a mid-term review process of the National Malaria Elimination Strategy 2015-2020, concluded recently, the country was found to be in a historical position to be a pioneer in malaria elimination in Sub Saharan Africa. The country has made great progress in reducing the incidence of malaria.

7th June 2017, Monrovia : The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), in collaboration with the Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR) Consortium and the World Health Organization (WHO), has been working to strengthen Liberia’s emergency response capacity to epidemic prone diseases. This objective is in line with the National Investment Plan 2015, to build a resilient health system through epidemic preparedness. 

JUNE 6, 2017 | WHO Kenya country office has  given a statement  to correct erroneous media reports that Kenya had suspended its funding to  Ministry of Health. In his statement, the WHO Kenya Country Representative, Dr Rudi Eggers said the report was incorrect and confirmed that  WHO had not suspended funding to the Ministry of Health. The erroneous report was based on an internal letter written by the Ministry of  Health  to urge counties to make returns for monies given by  the WHO for some activities including advoca