1 APRIL 2016 - Lassa fever has killed more than 160 people in West Africa, most of them in Nigeria, since November 2015. Many of these lives could have been saved if a rapid diagnostic test were available so that people could receive treatment early.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti arrived in New York yesterday afternoon to attend a series of meetings of the United Nations.
Heads of State and Government are attending the high-level meetings at the UN headquarters, where they will make new commitments to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

New York -- The World Health Organization has pledged to intensify its efforts to ensure the success of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the new vision for Africa's future initiated by several African Presidents and subsequently adopted as the continent's main development framework at summit of African Heads of State in July 2001.

As of 2 June 2016, a total of 1 947 567 people have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever in the provinces of Kinshasa and Kongo Central. The vaccination campaign began on 26 May 2016. Many people have rushed to get vaccinated including many people from districts that were not targetted for vaccination. This is good news because it means people understand the importance of vaccination. However, despite concerted efforts by WHO and partners and manufacturers, global vaccine stocks remain low.

22 April 2003 -- The Director of Medical Services for Kenya, Dr. Richard Muga, together with Roll Back Malaria partners, today briefed the media about the forthcoming Africa Malaria Day to be commemorated on 25 April 2003.

As part of the commemoration, the first progress report on malaria control and prevention in Africa will be officially launched.

Harare -- Governments in the WHO African Region have been urged to ensure the strengthening of health systems by improving their stewardship role, and the role of development partners and stakeholders, in implementing health sector reforms.

The call is contained in a report to be presented by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Ebrahim M. Samba, to the 52nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa taking place from 8 to 12 October in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa has welcomed the announcement that trials of a malaria candidate vaccine shows promising results by providing protection against clinical malaria in children.
The results were announced at the Malaria Forum hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, USA.

Mobile phones are becoming one of the world’s most important health tools, used in many countries to track exercise, ensure medicines are genuine, and even to read blood glucose levels. In Gabon, they’re being used to raise revenue for the national health system.

Harare , 8 October -- Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has appealed to the 52nd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa to step its fight against Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). 
Opening the session at the Harare International Conference Centre Tuesday, President Mugabe said unless they were prevented NCDs could take an increasingly heavy toll on the Region.