HIV experts take stock of progress and challenges in tackling HIV among children and young adults, ahead of ICASA 

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As thousands of international delegates converge in Abidjan, Côte d’ Ivoire for the bi-annual Conference on International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) from December 4 to 9, the scene has been set, with some of the key issues that will be deliberated and discussed. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) today convened a special forum on accelerating efforts to scale-up timely diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents living with HIV.

The biggest AIDS Conference in Africa, opens in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

ICASA 2017

04 December 2017 - The 19th ICASA International Conference for Africa opens today in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire on the theme “Africa: Ending AIDS-delivering differently”. The conference will be opened by his Excellency Mr  Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
 

Dr Moeti calls for greater commitment to access, diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS

Dr Moeti calls for greater commitment to access, diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS
At the margins of the ICASA 2017, the WHO Regional office for Africa in collaboration with the WHO headquarters and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) as well as other members of the AIDS FREE working group (UNICEF, PEPFAR, CIFF, ELMA) gathered in Abidjan. With the participation of delegations from the 21 priorities countries, they assessed progress, identified remaining gaps and shared good practices for accelerating efforts to scale up timely diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents living with HIV. “Indeed, we have made remarkable progress. This progress is a result of meaningful community engagement, increased knowledge of HIV status of our population and strong leadership, ownership and commitment from governments and partners. However, considerable gaps remain. We have to invest more in HIV services that will reach populations and locations in greatest need. In order to achieve the targets we set ourselves to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Agenda, , we have to address the big challenges head-on’, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa.

WHO deploys mobile laboratory to support Marburg outbreak response

The Minister of Health Dr Aceng (Purple outfit) and the WHO representative Dr Jack Abdoulie (black outfit) listen to Dr Thomas Strecker from WHO during the commissioning of the mobile laboratory at Kapchorwa District Hospital

Kapchorwa 2 December 2017:- The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the European Union and the US Center for Disease Control deployed the EU mobile laboratory bringing together experts from Marburg University and Berharndt Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine at Kapchorwa District hospital to improve sample testing and enable real-time reporting of results during the Marburg outbreak.

Message of the Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, on World AIDS Day 2017

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As we mark World AIDS Day on 1 December, whose theme this year is “Right to Health”, I would like to share the story of Alex, a 14 year old high school student who lives with his grandmother in Douala, Cameroon. He was diagnosed with HIV in 2016, a year after his mother died of tuberculosis. “My family gave me support, love and care and the doctors gave me medicines. The medicine will make me live a normal life and strengthen my body. I love going to school and studying and I hope to become a doctor one day so that I can look after other HIV positive people.”

Kenya’s chance for Guinea Worm FREE status

Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Cleopa Mailu (centre) launches the International Certification mission to certify Kenya Guinea Worm free. He is accompanied by WR Kenya Dr Rudi Eggers, 4th left, chairman of the team Dr Joel Breman, 5th left, and part of the rest of the team

December 1, 2017                                                              
Kenya may be certified Guinea Worm free if the country meets the requirements set by the International Commission for the Certification of Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm) Eradication (ICCDE).

Canada and WHO strides to improve maternal and child health in South Sudan

The delegates opening the maternity complex in Yambio.

Juba, 29 November 2017: “I believe I gave birth successfully because I came to the hospital and followed all the advice given to me,” said Nyangouk Dot a thirty-four-year-old mother who came to the Kuajok maternity complex in early labour.

Fully aware of her previous losses at birth, the midwives at the maternity complex immediately admitted and managed her condition.  The seven months’ pregnant mother gave birth to a healthy baby boy and smiled to the doctors and midwives who have been attending to her regularly during her admission at the hospital.

Government of Sweden and four UN agencies announce new Joint Programme to boost efforts to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and to end AIDS

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This World AIDS Day, December 1, the Government of Sweden, together with the regional offices of UNFPA, UNAIDS, UNICEF and WHO, announces the start of a USD45 million Joint United Nations (UN) four-year Regional Programme to reduce unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), new HIV infections, maternal mortality and sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) across East and Southern Africa.

The World Health Organization supports the Ministry of Health to strengthen efforts to eliminate Viral Hepatitis in South Sudan

Cross section of participants in groups validating the draft practice guidelines. Photo: WHO

Juba 23 November: The fight against viral hepatitis is gaining momentum in South Sudan. The government with technical support from WHO, has embarked on a long and treacherous journey to eliminate viral hepatitis in the country. WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and experts from Universities, medical specialists, public health professionals from MoH, and partners validated the draft practice guidelines for health professionals as well as the draft National plan to combat viral hepatitis.