In response to the need for access to life-saving surgical care, the World Health Organization's Emergency and Essential Surgical Care rogram has developed and launched the 'Integrated Management for Emergency and Essential Surgical Care'(IMEESC) toolkit via a mobile phone application. The toolkit will make available key resources in obstetric and surgical care literally at users’ fingertips.

Gaborone, 26 January 2015 - The Minister of Health, Honourable Dorcas Makgato hosted the new WHO Representative Dr Martins Ovberedjo in her office today. Dr Ovberedjo was accompanied by members of the WHO country office, Dr Tebogo Madidimalo, Mrs Lucy Maribe and Mr Moagi Gaborone.

Geneva, 22 January 2016 - The World Health Organization (WHO) targets the elimination of onchocerciasis (river blindness) in Latin America, in selected African countries and in Yemen by 2020 as highlighted in the WHO Roadmap on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). As countries approach the end of the treatment phase, WHO has published revised guidelines incorporating new evidence gathered during the past 15 years.

Humanitarian emergencies increase the risk of transmitting disease. Disease outbreaks, such as malaria, measles and cholera, are often a major cause of illnesses and death during crises.

The global Early Warning and Response System (EWARS) project is a WHO initiative to catch disease outbreaks early on to be able to contain them in emergencies. It supports Ministries of Health and health partners by providing technical support, training and field-based tools.

Geneva, 22 January 2016 - El Niño is a warming of the central to eastern tropical Pacific Ocean which affects rainfall patterns and temperatures in many parts of the world but most intensely in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America which are particularly vulnerable to natural hazards.

Botswana, 22 January 2015 - Gaborone, The new WR to Botswana Dr Martins OVBEREDJO presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Honourable Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi this morning.

Kaduna, Nigeria 22 January 2016 - The Co-Chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates has applauded the World Health Organization for the support to the Nigeria Government in establishing environmental surveillance and building sustainable institutional capacity needed to ensure that there is no undetected circulation of the wild polio virus (WPV).

Abuja, 22 January 2016 - Traditional leaders from 19 Northern states have resolved to intensify community sensitization efforts in their respective domains and bring to an end, the Lassa fever outbreak, which as of 20 January 2015, recorded a total of 239 suspected cases and 44 confirmed cases, with 82 deaths from both confirmed and suspected cases in 17 states as well as  the Federal Capital Territory.

Lassa Fever is named after Lassa town in Borno State and is endemic in most of the northern states.

Victoria, Seychelles, 20 January 2016 -- The Minister of Health (MOH) signed the biennial plan of work for the period 2016 – 2017 at a media event held on Friday 16th January 2017. The plan was formally approved by Minister Mitcy Larue in the presence of senior Ministry of Health officials and the media, following the endorsement of the plan by the Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti. The signed plan was handed over by the Minister of Health on behalf of the Government of Seychelles to the World Health Organization acting WHO Liaison Officer for Seychelles Dr.