Abuja, 02 December, 2015: Nigeria has  commemorated the  2015 World AIDS Day with the national theme of “Getting to Zero - ending HIV/AIDS by 2030” which reverberates the global vision of achieving zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDs related deaths by 2030.

National commemoratory events spanned the whole week and included HIV testing and counselling at internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and selected Armed Forces barracks in the Federal Capital Territory, annual HIV lecture; special prayers; a novelty match and a ministerial press briefing.

Abuja, 02 December 2016 - The campaign against the spread of the deadly AIDS virus in Nigeria on 01 December, 2016   received a major boost with the launch of National Guidelines for HIV prevention, treatment and care to fast track plan of action towards achieving the 90-90-90- targets. His Excellency, President Muhammadu launched the document to commemorate the 2016 World AIDS Day commemoration at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

From 7 to 12 November 2016, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization in Malawi conducted the inter-country Training of Trainers meeting on Advocacy, Information and Communication and strategic planning for cervical cancer prevention and control. The meeting took place at the Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe and it was opened on the morning of 7 November by the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr Peter Kumpalume, MP. The participants were from Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana and the host country Malawi.

Eritrea also joined the World commemorating World AIDS Day on 1 December 2016 at Orotta Conference Hall in Asmara under the theme “Hands up for HIV Prevention”. The commemoration was officially opened by the Director General of Public Health, Dr Andat Tefatsion, representing the Hon Minister of Health. In his speech, he said that Eritrea must continue to augment its existing programs and further promote effective initiatives and interventions in order to prevent new HIV infections even though it has scored remarkable achievements.

Lusaka, 30 November 2016 – The Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Her Honour, Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina officially launched the inaugural National Health Week in Zambia on 28 November in Lusaka. The function brought together government ministries and departments, United Nations Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations, research and academic institutions, private sector, academic institutions, the media and the general public.

29 November 2016 – In advance of World AIDS Day, WHO has released new guidelines on HIV self-testing to improve access to and uptake of HIV diagnosis. According to a new WHO progress report lack of an HIV diagnosis is a major obstacle to implementing the Organization’s recommendation that everyone with HIV should be offered antiretroviral therapy (ART). The report reveals that more than 18 million people with HIV are currently taking ART, and a similar number is still unable to access treatment, the majority of which are unaware of their HIV positive status.

November 2016 - As part of its  priority areas to scale up the country’s mental health and psychosocial care as well as coordinate existing efforts for better mental healthcare and psychosocial support   for South Sudanese, WHO engaged in an extensive consultation with national and international partners to identify needs and priorities to protect and improve people's mental health and psychosocial well-being.

November 2016 - With the aim to improve access to safe essential medicines, WHO carried out an in-depth assessment and mapping of the country’s procurement and supply management system as well as the mechanisms for medicines procurement and distribution in public and private sectors.

Osogbo, Osun, 27 November 2015: Policy makers in Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states have pledged their direct engagement and oversight to strengthen routine immunization in the South West zone, following a report of a vaccine derived polio virus (VDPV) case in Osun state in November 2015.

Brazzaville/N’Djamena (Chad) 25 November 2016 - Two days of discussion and reflection began yesterday in N’Djamena, Chad, on progress achieved and challenges faced by countries of West and Central Africa (WCA) in accelerating their response to the prevention of mother-to-child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and scaling up of access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for children and adolescents.