Poliovirus surveillance is one of the key pillars of the global poliovirus eradication effort. The primary system to detect poliovirus transmission is surveillance for polio cases among individuals with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), supplemented by environmental surveillance (ES).

In October 2008, Namibia was certified polio free and continued to maintain its polio free status since then. However, the country remains at high risk of importations of vaccine derived polio viruses (VDPVs) and other vaccine preventable diseases due to sub-optimal immunization coverage.

Juba, 5 July 2024 – Dr Humphrey Karamagi, the newly appointed World Health Organization (WHO) Representative for South Sudan, presented his letter of credentials to Hon. Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah Goc, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Gombe, 4 July, 2024 -- In a strategic move to address the growing concerns of drug abuse and its associated health risks, Gombe State has launched a comprehensive harm reduction program for people who inject drugs (PWID). 

This initiative, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and several key partners, aims to provide critical support and services to mitigate the health risks associated with drug use by reducing the spread of infectious diseases, like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), viral hepatitis and other blood-borne infections.

Harare – In response to the alarming rates of maternal mortality caused by Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH), Zimbabwe is adopting the World Health Organization (WHO) E-MOTIVE approach, a pioneering strategy proven to save lives in low-resource settings. Postpartum hemorrhage remains a leading cause of maternal death globally, responsible for a quarter of all such deaths annually.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated five motorbikes to support Guinea worm disease surveillance and elimination activities in Ethiopia's Gambella region. These motorbikes will be used to intensify efforts in the endemic districts of Gog and Abobo woredas.

The handover ceremony, held on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, at the regional Health Bureau, highlighted WHO Ethiopia's ongoing commitment to eliminating Guinea worm and other neglected tropical diseases.

Renewed Collaboration to Achieve Eradication

Sierra Leone's youths have emerged as pivotal ambassadors in the fight against tobacco use, with enhanced awareness and advocacy skills aimed at resisting the influence of the tobacco industry. Their growing involvement is key in protecting their health, wellbeing, and making informed decisions about tobacco consumption.

Damaturu, 1 July, 2024 - The first time Amina Tijani (name changed) 17 years old, visited the Women and Children Health Facility in Damaturu, Yobe State, she looked around anxiously and was unsure whether she could share her experience or not. Reassured by the friendliness of the health worker who promised her complete privacy, Amina was able to share her story about her abuse. 

“I was asleep when I felt the inappropriate touch. I began struggling and crying, begging him to stop. But he was much stronger and raped me, she says in a shaky voice. 

Two rounds of polio vaccination campaigns were conducted using novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) in Tigray region of Ethiopia to prevent transmission and circulation of variant polio viruses. Round one campaign was conducted from 23 - 28 April 2024 in 79 accessible woredas, while second round was from 10 - 15 June 2024 followed by a mop-up vaccination for two days.