23 March 2014 - The Ministry of Health (MoH) of Guinea has notified WHO of a rapidly evolving outbreak of Ebola virus disease in forested areas south eastern Guinea. As of 22 March 2014, a total of 49 cases including 29 deaths (case fatality ratio: 59%) had been reported. The cases have been reported in Guekedou, Macenta, Nzerekore and Kissidougou districts. In addition, three suspect cases including two deaths in Conakry are under investigation. Four health care workers are among the victims.

Today, 24th of March 2014, the African Region joins the global community to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day under the theme - “Reach the three million; Find, Treat, Cure TB”. The theme highlights the suffering that Tuberculosis (TB) continues to exert on people, despite the fact that effective control measures are available.

A four day workshop to develop the South Sudan National Malaria Strategic Plan for the period 2014-2020 has opened in the Country’s State capital, Juba. The development of the strategic plan is a multi-sectoral activity that requires the participation of all partners with vested interests in malaria control in South Sudan. On its part, the World Health Organization (WHO) is providing Technical Assistance in the development of the Malaria strategy and facilitating the consultative process towards an all inclusive National Malaria Strategic Plan.

High-level political commitment bolsters eradication campaign in endemic region of Gambella
Addis Ababa. 19 March 2014 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the lowest-ever number of reported cases of guinea-worm disease since the eradication campaign began in the mid- 1980s. After more than 30 years of continuous struggle, only 148 cases were reported globally in 2013.

Brazzaville, 17 March 2014 --  Nigeria and Niger  -- two of the five African countries certified by WHO in December 2013 as being free from guinea-worm disease -- have been presented with certificates indicating their new guinea-worm free status.

Kampala, 14th March 2014 -- The World Health Organization Representative for Uganda, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu visited the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe and commended the staff on their excellent work. UVRI is a national centre of excellence for viral diagnostics, surveillance, and research.

On Tuesday 11th March 2014, Maternal and Child Health Week Rwanda was launched in Gisagara district. Rwanda is a high performing country on track to reach MDG 4 and 5. This progress made can be attributed to a combination of strategies employed to strengthen the Rwandan health system and make quality of services accessible to a wide population.

Malaria, Pneumonia and Diarrhea are still responsible for more than 50 percent of death among children under 5 years old in Nigeria. It is on record that majority of these children, particularly those living in hard to reach areas, die at home.

His Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has declared at the opening of the Presidential Summit on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Abuja on Monday, 10th March, 2014 that for the Universal Health Coverage to be a reality in Nigeria, health Insurance must be a compulsory policy.