Brazzaville /N’Djamena, 22 April 2017 – UN agencies, high level government officials, immunization partners and community leaders, with the support of the Organization of African First Ladies against AIDS (OAFLA) are launching today the African Vaccination Week (AVW), urging all people to protect their health by getting vaccinated.

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the WHO Country Office held a workshop on Adverse Event Following Immunization Surveillance and Causality Assessment from 21 to 22 February 2017 at Embasoira Hotel in Asmara-Eritrea. The workshop was modelled on the standard of WHO causality assessment course to strengthen monitoring of adverse events following immunization (AEFI), but modified to suit the country requirements.

Geneva, April 21, 2017 – With a drastic reduction in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) during the past five years, the World Health Organization (WHO), donors, non-governmental organizations and government representatives of endemic countries are meeting in Geneva, Switzerland to build on the gains that have been made and reaffirm their commitment to the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

Addis Ababa, 19 April 2017 – Ethiopia joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Health Day, on 7 April 2017, at Yeka Kotebe General Hospital, a newly inaugurated hospital with mental health services. This year’s commemoration was under the theme “Depression; Let’s Talk” with a special focus on three groups of the population, namely adolescents and youth, women and elderly.

Lusaka, 13 April 2017 - The government of the Republic of Zambia has called for increased investment in mental health and the integration of services at primary health care facilities in response to the need for people with depression to seek and get help. Speaking at the official launch of the World Health Day 2017 which was commemorated under the theme “Depression, Let’s talk”, the District Commissioner for Ndola District, Mr.

Brazzaville, 14 April 2017 - After over a decade of persistent efforts, Togo has eliminated lymphatic filariasis—also known as elephantiasis—as a public health problem. The announcement follows a formal validation by the World Health Organization (WHO) which congratulated the Togolese government for this historic achievement. 

Monrovia 10th April, 2017:  Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability affecting over 300 million people, representing 4% of the global population. The Ministry of Health of Liberia estimates that over 1.5 million Liberians live with depression, but most are not aware, and therefore do not seek appropriate care.

Lusaka, 12 April 2017 - The World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health conducted a joint meeting for orientation of senior officials from the Ministry of Health, central hospitals, University Teaching Hospitals, statutory bodies and National Professional Officers from WHO on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).