Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, Pays Five-Day Offical Visit to Ghana

Accra, 17 June 2006 -- The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, arrived in Accra last Wednesday to begin a five day official duty tour to Ghana. Dr Sambo, whose visit is at the invitation of the Government of Ghana, will also attend the High Level Ministerial Meeting on Health Research for Developing Countries which takes place in Accra from 14 – 17 June 2006. 

Burkina Faso reaches major milestone in protecting its people against tropical parasites

Harare, 15 June 2006 -- With the recent completion of the latest rounds of treatment targeting the entire country, Burkina Faso has become the first in the WHO African Region to achieve nationwide coverage with anthelminthic drugs against three major neglected tropical diseases: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (intestinal parasites).

The World and Africa will remember Dr LEE Jong-Wook

Brazzaville, 26 May 2006 -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo has paid tribute to Dr Jong-wook Lee who died on Monday, 22 May 2006 after a short illness, just before the opening of the 59th Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA).

“The death of Dr Lee shortly after his hospitalization and hours before the opening of the 59th World Health Assembly is a tragic event for the World Health Organization and its Member States”, said Dr Sambo who is currently attending the World Health Assembly.

Africa leaders announce new resolve to combat HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria

Abuja, 4 May 2006 -- A special summit of the 53-nation African Union ended Thursday in Abuja with the adoption of far-reaching decisions to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria (ATM) three diseases which kill an estimated four million Africans every year.

WHO calls for special approach to address needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria

Abuja, 3 May 2006 -- As The burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria remains “unacceptably high” in sub-Saharan Africa and a “special approach” is now needed to address the specific needs and challenges of children affected by the three diseases.

This view was expressed by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, in a statement at the opening on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria, of a ministerial meeting on HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.

Emergency Measles and Polio Campaign Launched

Nairobi, 29 April 2006 -- The Minister for Health today launched the Emergency Measles and Polio Campaign. The national launch took place in Pumwani District of Nairobi Province. Hon. Dr. Wilfred Machage, Assistant Minister for Medical Services represented the Minister for Health, Hon. Charity Ngilu.

Kenya Commemorates World No-Tobacco Day

Ministry of Health And Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development Issue a Joint Press Statement on Rift Valley Fever Outbreak.

Nairobi, 15 January 2007 -- The Director of Medical Services, Dr. James Nyikal and the Director of Veterinary Services Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Dr. Joseph Musaa addressed a major Press Conference to provide update on the Rift Valley Fever outbreak in the country since it was confirmed on 21 st December 2006.

The Town Hall option - Encouraging community ownership for immunization

Participants in a town hall meeting discuss immunization in their community.

In Kaduna State, Town Hall meetings are opening a new frontier for addressing community compliance in the polio eradication programme and ensuring community ownership of immunization. The meetings, which started in June 2005, have been conducted in the 15 very high risk local government areas (LGA). In Kaduna North LGA, data is showing a consistent drop in the number of non-compliance cases from 5,357 in the August 2005 round, to 1,312 in the March 2006 round.