N’Djamena, 19 November 2015 - The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, has commended ongoing efforts in Chad to improve the health and wellbeing of the people. Dr Moeti made the remarks during a courtesy call on the Chadian Prime Minister Kalzeubé Payimi Deubet.

During the meeting, the Regional Director observed that the priority that the Chadian government has placed on health is making a difference despite the prevailing challenges. Since 2012 Chad has drastically reduced the occurrences of meningitis and cholera outbreaks. Polio transmission has been stopped as well. Furthermore maternal deaths have been reduced from 1084 per 100 000 births in 2009 to 860 per 100 000 births in 2014. During the same period the country has reduced child deaths from 161 per 1000 births to 133 per 1000 births.

Contributing to these successes is strong political commitment as demonstrated by monthly multi-sectoral ministerial meeting on health chaired by His Excellency the President Idriss Deby Itno and attended by health development partners. The outcomes of these meetings are strictly implemented and monitored to improve health in the country. 

“This is unique and an inspiration to all. I commend the leadership for putting such a mechanism in place”, said Dr Moeti.

She reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to support the country’s health development efforts, particularly in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s. She also expressed gratitude to the government for the preparations towards the forthcoming 65th session of WHO Regional Committee – the annual meeting of health ministers from the WHO African Region. The meeting, which begins from 23-27 November 2015, will bring together ministers of health, bilateral and multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, representatives of agencies of the United Nations system and high ranking decision makers from ministries of health.

Dr Moeti also met with heads of United Nations Agencies (UN Country Team) in Chad. This was a great opportunity for her to highlight the key health priorities in the African region to be addressed through the WHO/AFRO Transformation agenda. The discussions also focused on WCO country office specific support along with the support by the sister UN agencies to the Chadian government’s development efforts. She was accompanied by Dr Jean-Marie Yameogo WHO Representative in Chad and Dr Joseph Cabore Director of Programme Management.

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For more information, please contact:

Dr Jean-Marie Yameogo WHO Representative – Chad, Tel +235 62 002262 Email: yameogoj [at] who.int (yameogoj[at]who[dot]int)

Naissem Jonas, Communications Officer, Tel + 235 66 29 47 20 Email: naissemj [at] who.int (naissemj[at]who[dot]int)

C. Boakye-Agyemang, Regional Communications Officer, Tel: + 242065206565 Email: boakyeagyemangc [at] who.int (boakyeagyemangc[at]who[dot]int)