WHO scales up response as Borno declares another outbreak of cholera

WHO personnel raising awareness on proper hygiene and prevention against cholera

Maiduguri, 6 September 2018 - The World Health Organization (WHO) is deploying personnel, treatment kits, laboratory equipment as well as infection prevention and control supplies to prevent further fatalities due to another wave of cholera outbreak in Borno state. With the laboratory confirmation of samples of suspected cholera cases sent to the National Reference Laboratory Abuja, the Borno Ministry of Health on 06 September 2018 officially declared an outbreak of cholera in the state. 

Uganda targets over 1,600,000 persons for Cholera vaccination campaign

Minister of Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng vaccinates a member of the community at the launch

Nebbi, 5 September 2018:- The Government of Uganda launched the national Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) preventative campaign targeting over 1,600,000 persons aged above one year in the 11 cholera hot-spot districts.

The campaign is aimed at preventing and controlling Cholera in the hot-spot districts including Arua, Buliisa, Busia, Hoima, Kasese, Moyo, Namayingo, Nebbi, Ntoroko, Pakwach and Zombo. It will be conducted in a phased manner as part of the National Cholera Control Plan (2017-2022).

The invisible boys and girls: Understanding barriers to accessing healthcare among disadvantaged Nigerian youth

Adolescent focus group participants in Biogbolo, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abuja, 4 September, 2018 - Ground-breaking new research is assessing the factors that prevent young people from accessing health services in Nigeria. Funded by WHO through UK Aid from the UK Government, the research will aim to strengthen efforts to reach some of the most disadvantaged youth with healthcare, and inform an ambitious new Adolescent Health Policy and implementation plan in Nigeria. 

Botswana takes bold steps towards achieving SDG targets and outcomes of the UN SG’s Global Strategy on Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health

Ms Segotso (UNFPA Assistant Representative – top left) and Dr Ovberedjo (WHO Representative – top right in blue jacket) hosting the combined consultants’ courtesy call

Gaborone, Botswana - 24 August 2018: Botswana conducted an integrated review of the Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) in 2015.  The review was conducted when a number of policy and strategic plans documents for most the RMNCAH-N progress were coming to an end including that of adolescent health.  The results of the review and other program specific evaluations revealed a number of gaps, for example, insufficient number of health workers competent on ASRH programs; limited operating hours with facilities closing

UN and Seychelles signs Strategic Partnership Framework for better coordination in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals

Seychelles Strategic Partnership Framework

Victoria, Seychelles, 3 September 2018 - The United Nations and the Seychelles Government has signed a Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF) which consolidate their commitment to support the country’s effort to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the year 2030. It was the visiting UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP resident representative for Mauritius and Seychelles Mrs.

Namibia addresses non-communicable diseases

Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Representative delivering his remarks

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, Dr Saara Kuungongelwa-Amadhila, launched the National Strategy on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases recently  in Windhoek.  The Strategy aims to reduce the preventable and avoidable burden of morbidity, mortality and disability due to non-communicable diseases in the country.  

Strategizing Health Policy and Sector Strategy Plan Development in Mauritius through Participatory Approach

Dr. Ann-Lise Guisse from WHO-Headquarters Geneva facilitating the Societal Dialogue Workshop in Mauritius
Synchronizing the different plans in view of linking them with the Mauritius Vision 2030 on Health and Quality of Life, WHO Global Programme of Work (GPW13) and WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) is a priority action to achieve national and global health outcomes, one of which is the reduction in the prevalence of Non-communicable Diseases and their risk factors. As a matter of fact, the prevalence of NCDs mainly diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases has increased over the past four decades. NCDs account for 85% of disease burden and 81% of mortality in 2015 in the country.  In this context, the World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life Mauritius to elaborate two keys policy documents, namely the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) 2019-2023 and the integrated strategy for prevention and control of NCDs disease 2019-2023.  As part of the initiative, the process for establishing “societal dialogue for health” and developing a roadmap was initiated to finalise the action plan for NCDs and Health Sector Strategy.   Dr. Ann-Lise Guisset and Ms. Kira Johanna Koch from WHO-Headquarters Geneva facilitated activities from 20th to 28th August in Mauritius.  Seeking the engagement of all stakeholders, namely patients, families and the community at large was crucial at this stage so that they are placed at the heart of the Health Sector Strategy. The participatory approach for diagnosing HSS challenges to addressing the NCD epidemic opened a window of opportunity to engage in more large scale population participation in developing the new Health Sector Strategy and the integrated NCD Action Plan.  It will ensure inclusiveness and participatory approaches for all stakeholders including Government, Population, Civil society, UN agencies, media, academia, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral agencies involved in health.