Rising cases of sickle cell disease prompts calls for urgent action

Dr Moeti speaking at the opening ceremony of the Congress of the African Society of Hematology

Brazzaville, 12 July 2018 - The WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti has called for more investment, stronger collaboration and partnerships to stem the tide of the rising cases of sickle cell disease in Africa. Dr Moeti was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Congress of the African Society of Hematology which opened today in Brazzaville, Congo.
“Our States alone, without the precious support of partners, will not be able to cope with information, communication, education, screening, case management and also basic research in this field.  

Borno targets more than 1 million children with anti-malaria therapy. 

 Eligible child being administered with  anti-malaria drug during 2017 SMC campaign in Borno state. Photo credit: WHO/CE.Onuekwe

Maiduguri, 13 July 2018 - With the support of World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, Borno State Ministry of Health plans to reach more than 1.1 million children aged three to 59 months with anti-malaria therapy in 13 local government areas (LGAs), including security compromised Mobbar, Ngala, and Monguno. From 14 – 17 July 2018, anti-malaria drug administrators will be visiting households to administer the first dose of the 4-cycle campaign, which aims to mitigate against increased cases and deaths during the 2018 peak transmission period in the state. 

After Ebola: a recent survivor starts to rebuild

Survivor Didier Ipete
Since he was a teenager, Didier Ipete wanted to run his own store. He would have liked to have studied at university but he didn’t have that opportunity. Nevertheless, he was happy to build up his business until it was one of the most popular shops at the market in Itipo, a small community in Equateur province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Rwanda in the pilot seat in the development of its National Action Plan for Human Security

Dr Jose Nyamusore, Division Manager Epidemic Surveillance and Response within the Rwanda Biomedical Center/Ministry of Health
Under the leadership of Rwanda’s Biomedical Center of the Ministry of Health and WHO Country Office, following the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) for International Health Regulation (IHR) held in May 2018, a workshop for the development of National Action Plan for Human Security in Rwanda commenced at the Golden Tulip Nyamata, Rwanda on 9th July 2018.

Ethiopia launches the 1st round synchronized mOPV2 campaign

WHO Colleague vaccinating a child during the launching of mOPV2 vaccination
Addis Ababa July 09th, 2018: The launching ceremony of the first round of synchronized Polio (mOPV2) campaign was conducted yesterday on 9th July 2018 in Gode, one of the five selected zones of Somali Region. The launching was attended by representatives from Federal Ministry of Health, the Shabele zonal Administration Head, Mayor of Gode City administration, representatives from religious leaders, Gode town communities, mothers with children and partners including USAID, CDC, WHO, UNICEF, Core Group and other immunization partners.

Adamawa conducts first vaccination campaign in response to cholera outbreak

A child receiving  while other  people queue up for OCV

Yola, 10 July 2018 – Today, the first round of the 2-phase oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaign kicks-off in high-risk wards of Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha local government areas (LGAs) of Adamawa. The vaccination campaign, to be implemented from 10 to 14 July 2018, is also the first ever cholera vaccination exercise in the state, following the release of 750,000 doses of OCV by International Coordinating Group (ICG).