Reducing preventable maternal and child deaths in Lakes State of South Sudan

Rebecca with baby boy

On a cold Tuesday night, at about 12:00 am, in Malek village, Ms Rebecca Akeer, 26 years old gave birth to a bouncing baby boy in her house in the absence of a skilled birth attendant in February 2020. Malek is located about 41 km north from Rumbek, the state capital in Lakes State.

It happened hours after a nearby Malek Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) was closed following inter-communal fight which left medical supplies destroyed and health workers were forced to leave their homes due to ensuing conflict.

I beat COVID-19, you too can-says WHO staff 

Dr Haruna Ismaila Adamu a WHO staff after exiting isolation following recovery from COVID-19.jpg (

Bauchi 15 May, 2020 - On 19 April 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria confirmed the first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as one staff member in the field tested positive. The Organization immediately swung into action, by deploying the needed support to ensure that the staff member received appropriate medical care.  The staff, Dr Haruna Ismaila Adamu who tested positive to covid-19 has finally been discharged from the case management center after spending three weeks of treatment at the isolation and case management center in Bauchi.

Nigeria drives routine immunization amid COVID-19

Eligible child being vaccinated at Gwarinpa General Hospital, FCT. Photo-WHO Nigeira-Eromosele Ogbeide.jpg

Kano, 13 May 2020 – At the Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital in downtown Kano, the commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria, Aisha Iliasu sits patiently among other women and children on a concrete bench in the waiting room. Two large posters providing tips for COVID-19 prevention are taped to the wall beside her. 

Despite the lockdown in place in the city, Ms Iliasu has come to the hospital for a routine measles vaccination for her nine-month old son. 

COVID-19 could deepen food insecurity, malnutrition in Africa

COVID-19 could deepen food insecurity, malnutrition in Africa
The World Health Organization (WHO) today expressed concern at the potential impact of COVID-19 on food security, which is likely to exacerbate the already considerable burden of malnutrition in Africa. The impact of the disease is expected to be greater among those grappling with food scarcity and malnutrition, while widespread food insecurity will likely increase due to movement restrictions. 

New WHO estimates: Up to 190 000 people could die of COVID-19 in Africa if not controlled

New WHO estimates: Up to 190 000 people could die of COVID-19 in Africa if not controlled
Eighty-three thousand to 190 000 people in Africa could die of COVID-19 and 29 million to 44 million could get infected in the first year of the pandemic if containment measures fail, a new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa finds. The research, which is based on prediction modelling, looks at 47 countries in the WHO African Region with a total population of one billion.

African countries start easing COVID-19 confinement measures

African countries start easing COVID-19 confinement measures
When COVID-19 emerged as a global health threat, African countries were quick to enact public health measures to slow the spread of the virus. Now as some countries begin to ease lockdowns, it is important to maintain strong surveillance, case finding and testing among other control measures to halt the pandemic.

Update COVID-19 26 April 2020

COVID_19 Update Rwanda

26 April 2020 — Eight (8) new CoVID_19 cases were identified out of 1025 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to a hundred and ninety-one (191). To date, ninety-two (92) patients have recovered and been discharged, including four (4) in the past 24 hrs. The number of active cases is ninety-nine (99).


This increase of new confirmed cases reflects a rise in cases of cross-border truck drivers and their assistants. All active cases are in isolation in stable condition.  

WHO Representative, Dr Olushayo Olu, paid a courtesy call on Honorable Minister of Health, South Sudan

Representative of WHO Dr Olushayo Olu and Honorable Elizabeth Acuei Yol, Minister of Health

Juba, 27 April 2020 – Dr Olushayo Olu, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative for South Sudan paid a courtesy call on Honorable Elizabeth Acuei Yol, Minister of Health.

During the call, Dr Olu congratulated the Honorable Minister on her appointment and conveyed the Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti greetings.

Dr Olu and the Honorable Minister of Health, both renewed their commitment to support the health sector in South Sudan.