Nairobi, March 7, 2017 - The African Health Agenda International Conference, AHAIC, in Nairobi set off to an enthused start with calls for realistic and holistic solutions that are informed by research and evidence, strengthening of health systems, commitment of governments through financing of health and engagement  of youth and other actors to address the disease burden in the continent.

06 March 2017, Juba, South Sudan – The Government of Japan and the World Health Organization (WHO) delivered three all-terrain vehicles for the three regional Blood Transfusion Centres in Juba, Wau and Malakal, at the end of their USD 2 million project for boosting blood donation.  The three vehicles are a shot in the arm for the Regional Blood Transfusion Centres to collect more contributions through mobile blood donation drives.

Members of the Parliamentary forum on Malaria and those from the Health Committee of the Parliament agreed to support the ongoing Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net (LLIN) campaign through increased advocacy and sensitization of the masses.  In addition, they agreed to follow up discussions on tax waivers on medical devices such as  malaria rapid diagnostic tests, lobbying for increased financial resources for health and enforcing accountability in parliament.

Maiduguri, 03 March 2017 - Borno state in northeast Nigeria has recorded its first Lassa fever outbreak in almost five decades. The last confirmed outbreak of the deadly disease was in 1969. WHO is supporting the government to contain the outbreak in an area of the country which is already coping with a humanitarian crisis resulting from years of conflict.

Addis Ababa, 15 February 2017 – The World Health Organization Country Office in Ethiopia in collaboration with the Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration and Control Authority of Ethiopia (FMHACA), organized a two-day policy dialogue on Intersectoral Action for strengthening Tobacco Control.

03 March 2017, Juba, South Sudan – Despite multiple humanitarian crises, including famine, the first round of the National Immunization Days of 2017 is underway throughout South Sudan aiming to reach over three million children under 5 with two drops of polio vaccine.

Disease outbreaks have hit many countries, world over, with millions of lives lost and a lot of women and children left suffering. Outbreaks are very unpredictable and what begins as a rumor or isolated confirmed case can multiply leading to many cases and deaths.

An intergovernmental immunization forum ended in Machakos, Kenya last week with a great promise for collaboration between the national health ministry and counties and with the support from partners.

The two-day meeting brought together about 200 health personnel from all 47 counties, the national office  and partners who included WHO, UNICEF, Clinton Foundation, Maternal and  Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), Health NGO’s Network  (Hennet), Population Services Kenya, Kenya Aids NGOs Consortium, (KANCO) and others.

Kano, 01 March, 2017 - Kano State Governor, His Excellency Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has expressed commitment   to deploy significant resources towards sustaining gains of polio eradication and supporting other child survival interventions during discussions with the World Health Organization Country Representative (WR), Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu on 28 February 2017.

Abuja, 27 February 2017 - The newly appointed Executive Director (ED) of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, has informed the World Health Organization Country Representative (WR), Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, that the agency will implement a 4-point priority agenda towards reversing Nigeria’s poor health indicators and achieving positive outcomes. He noted that as Nigeria’s most important partner in the health sector, WHO’s contributions will be invaluable.