Launching of the national survey report on people who use drugs by the Prime Minister of Mauritius in the presence of UN Resident Coordinator and WHO Representative

Hon. Prime Minister of Mauritius, P.K. Jugnauth handing over a copy of the national survey report on people who use drugs to the WHO Representative, Dr L. Musango in the presence of UNRC, H. E. Mrs C. Umutoni and the Coordinator, National Drug Secretariat, Dr S. Appadoo
P. Louis. Honorable Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth launched the national population-based survey report among people who use drugs on 10 February 2022 at the Sir H. Vaghjee Hall in Port Louis. Her Excellency Mrs Christine Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles; WHO Representative, Dr Laurent Musango; Dr S. Appadoo, Coordinator, National Drug Secretariat and other personalities attended the official ceremony. The World Health Organization and the UNRC office collaborated with the national authorities in addressing the lack of evidence-based information on drug use at the national level through the recruitment of an international expert to conduct the survey as well as several Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Surveys among drug users, from December 2020 to May 2021. The Prime Minister said that the Government alone cannot fight the drug war and the magnitude of the drug problem requires all stakeholders to engage in collaborative platforms to ensure that policies and strategies are implemented based on evidence-based information.

African Development Bank and WHO strengthen South Sudan’s emergency response with phase two of public health emergency operations center

Delegates gathers for ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Public Health Emergencey Operations Centre in Juba

Juba, 10 February 2022 – The government of South Sudan today inaugurated its Public Health Emergency Operations Center designed to respond promptly and effectively to public health risks and emergencies of international concern.

The center is part of a $4.2 million African Development Bank grant-financed COVID-19 response project that included procuring an oxygen plant, vehicles, a wide range of essential medicines, lifesaving biomedical equipment and personal protective equipment. The World Health Organization (WHO) implemented the project.

Tailoring COVID-19 messages to unique community groups

Hand hygiene demonstration by a Maasai woman

8 – 10 February 2022, Morogoro: Risk communicators must customize messaging to meet the needs and values of specific target audiences. This is because message design can influence the effectiveness of a message and ultimately behavior change.

Africa on track to control COVID-19 pandemic in 2022

Africa on track to control COVID-19 pandemic in 2022
Almost two years after Africa identified its first case of COVID-19 (14 February 2020), the World Health Organization (WHO) finds that, if current trends continue, the continent can control the pandemic in 2022. However, WHO warned that continued vigilance is key.

Opening of New Covid-19 Testing Centre in Black River, Mauritius

Opening of New Covid-19 Testing Centre in Black River, Mauritius
A new COVID-19 Testing Centre is operational at Dr Yves Cantin Community Hospital in Black River since last year to enable the people living in the West part of the island to benefit from appropriate screening for COVID-19. The newly launched COVID-19  Testing Centre has a well-equipped isolation ward to accommodate positive COVID-19 patients with symptoms while waiting for the transfer to Regional Hospitals. The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Hon K. K. Jagatpul participated in the soft opening of the Centre in the presence of the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Hon. A. Ganoo; the World Health Organization Representative in Mauritius, Dr Laurent Musango and other personalities on 18 December  2021.

Survivors affirm that regular testing for early diagnosis is panacea to curbing cancer.

Stage of Breast Cancer

Abuja February 04, 2022 - “In 2014, I noticed a small swelling in my left breast and didn’t pay attention as it was initially painless and I thought it will resolve by itself” says Grace David, a 68-year-old woman living in FCT, Abuja that survived breast cancer.

“When the swelling became bigger, I noticed a dimple, with slight pain and nipple discharge, I confided in my neighbor who advised me to visit the hospital immediately for a proper check by a doctor. I immediately went to the hospital and had to undergo series of examinations and tests.

Africa needs to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination six-fold 

Africa needs to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination six-fold 
Although COVID-19 vaccine supplies to Africa have risen significantly, the continent is struggling to expand rollout, with only 11% of the population fully vaccinated. The vaccination rate needs to increase six times if the continent is to meet the 70% target set for the middle of this year. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and partners are launching a new initiative aimed at resolving bottlenecks.

South Sudan: With support from WHO over 200 000 people receive cholera vaccine in flooded hotspot areas to mitigate the risk of cholera outbreaks

WHO’s Dr Abraham Abenego administering oral cholera vaccine

Kai Koang, at the crack of dawn on a Tuesday morning, armed with his loud megaphone tightly held to his mouth and moving from house-to-house stormed site D of the highly populated Bentiu internally displaced persons (IDP) camp passing on good news – on the commencement of the oral cholera vaccination campaign. Kai is a well-known social mobilizer in the camp.

A few minutes later the vaccination site was awash with people ready to receive the vaccine.

World Neglected Tropical Disease Day: Achieving health equity to end the neglect of poverty-related diseases

The Minister of State for Health Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora

Abuja, 31 January, 2022 - “The first time I noticed a sore on my left hand, I did not take it seriously because I thought I had injured myself unknowingly. However, when the wound failed to heal, and sores came out, on the other hand, I decided to go to the hospital”, says Mr. Bako Ibrahim, a 25 years old taxi driver resident in Gima village, Konduga Local Government Area (LGA), Borno State.

Mr. Bako was diagnosed with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs).

Government partners decry stigmatization of people living with leprosy

HMH addressing media personnel during the 2022 World Leprosy Day Press briefing

Abuja, 1 February, 2022 - In commemoration of the 2022 World Leprosy Day, the Government of Nigeria and Partners have decried the continuous stigmatization of people living with the disease.

The Honorable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, speaking at a ministerial press briefing to mark the day in Abuja on 31st of January 2022, said stigmatization continues to have negative impact to the successful elimination of the disease and re-integration of those cured back into their communities.