Guest speakers focus on gender-based violence and newborn health
20 May 2014 -- Dr Christine Kaseba-Sata, First Lady of Zambia and Melinda Gates, co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation addressed delegates at the World Health Assembly this afternoon. Dr Kaseba-Sata deplored the prevalence of violence against women and girls and the extent to which cases of violence remain hidden and unrecognized.
Ghana uses instant smartphone messaging to accelerate dracunculiasis surveillance
The Ghana Guinea-Worm Eradication Programme (GGWEP) has turned to instant messaging service to increase awareness of the cash reward scheme for reporting cases of the disease.1
From 1 May 2014, GGWEP has launched a ‘fireball’ campaign to accelerate exchange of messages on WhatsApp – a popular smartphone application – through which users can send text or audio messages and images. Developers of the project plan to reach about 1000 per week. The service may also be extended to FaceBook and the broader social media platform.
Involving everyone: social mobilization is key in an Ebola outbreak response
“Our country has been hit by Ebola, a dangerous viral disease. The virus is dangerous, but you will not get infected if you follow our recommendations. Here is what you can do to protect yourself and your family.” The voice of a man in a Red Cross loudspeaker car drowns out the cries of market vendors and the noise of heavy traffic and a crowd of people starts to gather around the vehicle. It is Saturday and the busy marketplace of Matoto in the Guinean capital, Conakry, is full of vendors and shoppers.
The United Republic of Tanzania launches the sharpened one plan and the RMNCH Score Card to prevent Maternal, Newborn and Child Mortality
“Prioritise! Invest! Deliver Faster!” was the call made to all present during the presidential launch of the Tanzania Sharpened One Plan and the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) Score Card on 15th May 2014. His Excellency, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania was the guest of honor in the well-attended event held in Dar es Salaam.
WHO/AFRO Issues Guidance on Preparing for & Responding to Public Health Events
Brazzaville, 13 May - 2014 What is a public health event (PHE)? How can Member States more effectively and efficiently prepare for, and respond to, PHEs which now occur fairly frequently in the WHO African Region?
UK supports Uganda to increase capacity for safe blood collection and provision
Kampala, 12th May 2014 - The United Nations Country Team in Uganda working through the World Health Organization is collaborating with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) to increase blood collection capacity and availability especially in Northern Uganda.
Teenage pregnancy: WHO Nigeria supports awareness creation in Ebonyi State
The Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and values, Dr Mrs Sarah Jibril commended WHO in Nigeria for supporting the awareness campaign on preventing and managing teenage pregnancies held on the 9th May 2014 at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki the capital of Ebonyi state. The campaign was implemented by Bell and Bridge Crystal Foundation and supported by the World Health Organization, Nigeria.
The Ministry of Health to declare Cholera Outbreak in Juba, South Sudan
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization has declared an outbreak of cholera in Juba, South Sudan. This declaration follows reports of 18 suspected cholera cases including one death and one laboratory confirmed case on 6th May 2014 of an IDP who got sick in Gudele and was brought to UN House IDP camp following tests conducted by the AMREF laboratory in Nairobi.