WHO Representative urges Nigeria to consider immunization funding options that do not over-burden the poor.

A cross section of participants at the Media Roundtable

Abuja, 12 May 2015- The World Health Organization Country Representative (WR), Dr Rui Gama Vaz has advised the government of Nigeria to consider sustainable funding options for immunization that promote equity and ensure the poor are not disproportionately burdened.

He gave the advice in his speech at a media roundtable in Abuja on 12 May, 2015, organized by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to deliberate on the vaccine financing as part of events to seal  the 2015 Africa Vaccination Week.

Innovations and quality care essential to the fight against TB in Ethiopia

Innovations and quality care essential to the fight against TB in Ethiopia

The 10th TB Research Annual Conference was held in Adama, Oromia Region, on 21-23 March 2015 preceding the World TB Day commemoration in Asella, Oromia, on 24 March 2015. The Conference, organized by the Ministry of Health, the TB Research Advisory Committee, Oromia Regional Health Bureau, Arsi University and Adama Hospital Medical College, was attended by more than 300 participants from the Ministry and its agencies, regional health bureaus, academia, research and partner organizations like the World Health Organization in Ethiopia.

Rivers State intensifies private sector partnership to achieve national immunization targets.

Vaccination at Power Holding Company Staff clinic

Port Harcourt, Rivers 11 May 2015 - The reinforced partnership with private health facilities in Rivers State is beginning to yield unprecedented results as recent exit interviews indicate that 92%  of caregivers were satisfied with routine immunization services despite the lingering industrial action embarked upon by public health workers of Rivers State. As at the end of March 2015, the state’s routine immunization (RI) coverage stands at 58% for Penta 3 which is on course to attaining the national target of 80% by end of the year.

World Malaria Day celebrated in Ethiopia

A grandmother with her granddaughter in a bednet, Shebedino Woreda, Hawassa.

The eighth World Malaria Day was celebrated for the eighth time on 25 April 2015 in Hawassa, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) in a colorful event that called for renewed commitment and increased investment towards Malaria control and elimination. The message of this year’s World Malaria Day is, “Invest in the Future.

WHO and CDC strengthen collaboration on HIV/AIDS

WHO and CDC strengthen collaboration on HIV/AIDS

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have a longstanding and strong partnership in Africa, consisting of technical and financial collaboration. To enhance their strategic cooperation on HIV/AIDS, WHO and CDC conducted a multi-country grant implementation and strategic review meeting on 9-11 March 2015 in Addis Ababa. CDC and WHO staff from Headquarters and Regional Offices, as well as the country offices of Cameroon, Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa and Uganda, took part in the meeting.

Kenya marks the third UN Global Road Safety Week

 Dr. Nathan Bakyaita speaking during the UN GRS function,on behalf of WR Kenya

Kenya joined the rest of the world to mark the third UN Global Road Safety Week scheduled for 04 to 10 May 2015. This year, the theme for the Global Road Safety week focused on children and Road Safety. The national event was commemorated on 7th May 2015 at General Kago primary school in Thika, Kiambu County. The day was presided over by the Director general of National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Mr Francis Meja.

The Ebola outbreak in Liberia is over

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Today, 9 May 2015, WHO declares Liberia free of Ebola virus transmission. Forty-two days have passed since the last laboratory-confirmed case was buried on 28 March. The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Liberia is over.
 
Interruption of transmission is a monumental achievement for a country that reported the highest number of deaths in the largest, longest, and most complex outbreak since Ebola first emerged in 1976. At the peak of transmission, which occurred during August and September 2014, the country was reporting from 300 to 400 new cases every week.