By Vivian Mugarisi

After surviving cholera following treatment at Chakohwa Clinic in Buhera, Manicaland Province a few weeks ago, Melissa Chagwina** is taking the hygiene gospel to her village. “I have no plans of becoming a Village Health Worker yet but after my ordeal, maybe someday. For now, I take time to encourage my community on the importance of hand hygiene, use clean water and follow the advice from health workers to stay safe,” she said.

Banjul, The Gambia – In a landmark event held in The Gambia, a four-day capacity-building workshop on integrated polio surveillance recently concluded, signaling a pivotal moment in the African Region's commitment to eradicating the polio virus. The workshop aimed to equip participants with advanced skills and strategies necessary for the early detection and swift response to polio cases across the continent.

ONDJIVA, CUNENE - Today, 13th October 2023, the second round of the national polio campaign was inaugurated in Ondjiva, Cunene. The launch witnessed the presence of the Secretary of State for Public Health, Professor Carlos Pinto de Sousa, representing the Minister of Health, Dr. Silvia Lutucuta. He was joined by the Vice-Governor for Political, Social, and Economic Sectors of Cunene, Apolo Ndinoulenga.

The Ministry of Health, Cancer Unit has recorded 577 cases of cancer between January 2023 and June 2023, 33 of which are cancers of the breast. While many cancer patients in middle-income countries succumb to the disease, 50-year-old Fikile Hlatjwayo is lucky to have survived the deadly disease. Hlatjwayo was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and started treatment, which at that time was only available in South Africa through the Phalala Fund.

Malaria poses a significant health burden in Sierra Leone, with high transmission rates year-round. Children under five and pregnant women are mostly affected, leading to severe illness and death. The disease strains healthcare resources, hinders economic productivity, and challenges access to care, particularly in remote areas. Sierra Leone implements preventive measures and collaborates with global health partners to combat malaria, but challenges persist, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to address this threat to public health.

The WHO is working hand in hand with the Luanda Provincial Health Directorate to intensify social mobilisation initiatives for the second round of polio vaccination, which will take place from 13 to 16 October. With the support of the WHO, various advocacy and engagement initiatives with communities and key partners, and the dissemination of information through different channels, are being carried out to ensure everyone's participation and leave no child behind without vaccination. Vaccinating saves lives!

Accra, Ghana – A tragic explosion that levelled the entire village of Appiatse in Ghana’s Western region in January 2022, taking the life of Grace Essien’s* husband, literally halted life as they knew it for her and their three children.

Traumatized and grieving, the 30-year-old recalls feeling like her world had ended. “That was one of the most difficult times in my life. I was so devastated that, even after a few weeks, hearing any sounds at all was just driving me crazy.” 

^{_{By Vivian Mugarisi}}

On October 10, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) South Africa attended the World Mental Health Day (WMHD) commemoration hosted by the National Department of Health. The event took place at Madadeni Hospital in Newcastle within the KwaZulu-Natal Province to mark World Mental Health Day.