Zambia hosts major global conference on water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities

Seniour officials at the official opening of the meeting

More than 90 international delegates representing 22 countries are gathering in Livingstone, Zambia, this week for a three-day global meeting to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in hospitals and health centres.

Globally, an estimated 896 million people use health care facilities lacking water services and 1.5 billion use facilities with no sanitation services. More than 1 million deaths each year are associated with births in unsanitary conditions and infections account for 26 per cent of neonatal deaths and 11 per cent of maternal mortality.

Use Data and Information for Public Health Action – Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam

Regional Antimicrobial Resistance Structured Operational Research Training IniTiative

One of the public health challenges in low-medium income countries is lack of capacity to process data into information to support evidence-based decision making. This was pointed out by Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam the World Health Organization Country Representative in Uganda while opening the on-going two weeks training on antimicrobial resistance. 

WHO and partners to help the Government boost health facility defences against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

WHO and partners to help the Government boost health facility defences against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
To strengthen health practitioners’ proficiency in preventing the spread of Ebola virus disease in health facilities, the Commission for Prevention and Biosecurity of the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) launched on 5 September a guideline and training package on infection prevention and control that targets at least 3 000 nurses, doctors and other health care workers.

Ebola simulation drills in Tanzania trade worry for calm at border entry points

Ebola simulation drills in Tanzania trade worry for calm at border entry points

A wooden boat sways idyllically in a marsh of the Malagarasi River where it begins from an eastern mouth of the great Lake Tanganyika, Africa’s deepest lake and the world’s longest lake. Along the river, muscled men pull loaded bicycles under the scorching sun. This port in Ilagala village in Kigoma Region idles in daytime and bustles with activity at night.

Searching for polio in unusual places in Tanzania

Searching for polio in unusual places in Tanzania

“I have been a sewerage operator for more than 20 years now,” says Fundi Mzee, smiling as he leaves his office at the Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority premises for his weekly hunting expedition for polio.

Eritrea success story in the areas of HIV, TB and Malaria programs

Group photo of the participants

Government of the state of Eritrea has made a profound progress on the three programs of communicable diseases control program namely HIV, TB and Malaria, which emphasizes the value they place on ensuring health for all populations. The HIV, TB and Malaria programs are among the successful programs in the Ministry of Health, Eritrea which have shown marked reduction trends in morbidity and mortality throughout the past years.