WHO Representative in Ethiopia Pays Courtesy Visit to H.E. the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

L-R: Dr Fiona Braka, Dr Pierre M'pele-Kilebou, H.E. President Mulatu Teshome, Dr Abebayehu Assefa, Mr Pierre Lessimi, Mrs Lulit Zewdie (Acting Director, International Organizations, MoFA).

Addis Ababa. 20 October 2014 – H.E. Dr Mulatu Teshome, the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia granted an audience to Dr Pierre M’pele-Kilebou, the World Health Organization Representative to Ethiopia. 

Dr M’pele was accompanied by Dr Fiona Braka, Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Cluster Coordinator, Dr Abebayehu Mengistu, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster Coordinator, Mr Pierre Lessimi, Management Cluster Coordinator and Mrs Loza Mesfin, Communication, Advocacy and Media Program Officer.

Liberia: New Ebola mobile lab speeds up diagnosis and improves care

“The first thing we do with a blood sample is inactivate the Ebola virus, making the virus non-infectious and safer for testing”, says US Navy Lieutenant Jose Garcia. As the blood sample might be contagious, this process happens in a very protective environment by using a portable biological safety hood to avoid any direct contact. WHO/P. Desloovere

October 2014 - One of the challenges to bring the Ebola outbreak under control in Liberia has been lack of access locally to laboratories able to provide a quick and firm diagnosis of the disease. This month the United States Navy opened a new high-tech mobile laboratory near the Island Clinic, one of the Ebola treatment units in Monrovia, Liberia, that is supported by the WHO.

WHO Declares Nigeria Ebola-Free

Standing ovation following the Declaration

Abuja 20 October, 2014 - The World Health Organization, today, 20th October, 2014 officially declared Nigeria Ebola-Free, having passed the mandatory period with no new cases;  42 days after  the  last confirmed case of the virus was discharged from the hospital, giving sufficient confidence to declare the outbreak over.

Stakeholders Consensus Building and Advocacy Meeting for the Reviewed National Medicines Policy

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Accra, 17 October 2014 -- The review of the National Medicines Policy has been supported by the MOH/WHO/EU/ACP Renewed Partnership to Strengthen Pharmaceutical Systems to Improve Access to Good Quality and Safe Medicines.

The National Medicines Policy represents decisions based on the best current evidence, the consensus opinion of all stakeholders as well as the general direction of governance on pharmaceuticals. Stakeholder ownership and commitment is important to take the best collective decisions for Ghana and ensure optimized implementation in the coming years.

Knocking Off remaining Polio "Sanctuaries": Active Transmission Zone Concludes Synchronized Outbreak Response

A child receiving OPV during DOPV

Abuja, 17 October, 2014 - The January 2012, Global Polio Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report delineated four distinct polio virus “sanctuaries” in Nigeria, ‘places in which polioviruses had taken safe refuge’. The sanctuaries in the northern states were Borno (Borno- Yobe), Kano (Kano-Kaduna-Katsina) and Sokoto and Zamfara; homes to two-thirds of the polio cases detected in that year. 

Crossing the MDG finish line and visioning for the future of the health sector in Ethiopia

Dr Kesetebirhan Admasu, Minister of Health, speaking at the opening of the 16th ARM on 15 October in Dire Dawa

Dire Dawa. 16 October 2014 – The 16th Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of the Health Sector Development Programme began yesterday in Dire Dawa. The meeting organized by the Federal Ministry of Health will run from 15 to 17 October under the theme "Crossing the finish line and envisioning beyond: Towards equitable and better quality health services in Ethiopia".

South Sudan Enhances Preparedness for Ebola and Marburg

Minister of Health, Dr. Riek Gai Kok and WHO Representative for South Sudan, Dr Abdi Aden Mohamed addressing a joint press conference in Juba

WHO in support of South Sudan’s Ministry of Health, continues to enhance efforts to prevent haemorrhagic diseases. This comes amidst fresh concerns following reports of Marburg Virus Disease in neighbouring Uganda, in addition to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak that is currently affecting multiple countries, mostly in West Africa.

“Although no cases of both Marburg and Ebola have been reported in South Sudan, the two outbreaks are of concern as they place the country at greater risk,” said Dr. Abdi Aden Mohamed, WHO Representative for South Sudan.

13th Dr. Mathew Lukwiya memorial lecture organized in memory of fallen health health workers

Kampala, 15th October 2014:- The 13th Dr. Mathew Lukwiya which was organized Makerere University College of Health Sciences in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO) and Uganda National Association of Community and Occupational Health, (UNACOH) was held at Imperial Royale Hotel to remember the health workers that lost their lives to Ebola and other diseases.