Kampala, 1 August 2012 -- The First International Scientific Meeting on Nodding Syndrome (NS) concluded its third day of proceedings by finalizing a standard case definition and identifying critical next steps in a research agenda that will guide future scientific studies.

ierra Leone launched commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week 2012 on 1 August 2012 on the theme “Understanding the past - planning the future”. Every year World Breastfeeding Week is commemorated to promote and support early initiation (immediately after delivery) and exclusive breastfeeding of children 0-6 months as well as continued breast feeding until two years and beyond. The event was launched by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Alhassan Seisay.

On 31 July 2012 the World Health Organization handed over diagnostic equipment and drugs worth, 1.2 million Malawi kwacha to Kasungu District Hospital. This support is for the implementation of the WHO package for essential noncommunicable diseases (WHO PEN) for primary health care in low resource settings.

Kampala, 30th July 2012:‐ The First International Scientific Meeting on Nodding Syndrome (NS) opened this morning in Kampala, Uganda. Experts from around the world have converged to discuss and find a way forward on a number of issues including a standardized way to define cases of Nodding Syndrome (NS); whether NS is syndrome or a diseases and the association that seems to exist between Onchocerciasis and NS.

An outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Uganda’s Kibaale district, about 220 km west of the capital Kampala, in July/August 2012 has affected the lives of many.

Harare, 20 July 2012. This was said by the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera in a joint press conference he held with the WHO Representative for Zimbabwe, Dr Custodia Mandlhate, the UNICEF Representative Dr Peter Salama and the local and international media. This follows some media reports in the days following the National Immunization Days (NIDs) that some children were falling sick after immunization.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) conducted policy dialogue on the first National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy and Strategic Plan (2012-2016) at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown on 17 July 2012.
The event was opened by the Hon. Minister of health and Sanitation, Mrs Zainab Bangura. The participants included representatives of health partners, officials of line ministries and top civil servants.

Addis Ababa, 16 July 2012 – African Heads of State and Government, have endorsed the establishment of the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF), introduced to the 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) by H.E. Sheikh Professor Alhaji, Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of Gambia in the Ethiopian capital yesterday.

Addis Ababa, 15 July 2012 – In a high level meeting chaired by H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia and Chair of African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), delegates including Heads of State and Government, the President of the African Union Commission, the Representative of the UN Secretary General and other high ranking officials, were updated on unprecedented success in scaling up malaria control interventions which resulted in one third reduction of malaria deaths during the last decade in Africa.

Addis Ababa, 14 July 2012 --The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, has commended the commitment and actions being taken by Heads of State and Government Action Committee to revitalize and expand AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) for stronger leadership and resource mobilization. The statement was made in a meeting officially opened by H.E. Dr. Boni Yayi, President of Benin, Chairperson of AU and Chairperson of AIDS Watch Africa.