The World Health Organization (WHO) raises concerns about Ethiopia's escalating public health needs. According to the Humanitarian Response Plan 2023, 17.4 million people across the country are affected by a prolonged El Niño-induced drought, floods, and conflicts, with the Somali, Afar, Oromia, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, and Southwest areas experiencing the most significant impact. The dire circumstances have triggered a surge in disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, measles, and dengue fever, along with alarming levels of acute malnutrition.
 

In a landmark event, the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a ‘historical’ workshop on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) for selected member states in the African region.

Held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from December 12th to 14th, 2023, with the theme ‘Health Technology Assessment for Priority Setting to Achieve Universal Health Coverage,’ the workshop aimed at tackling critical issues related to the systematic evaluation of healthcare technology and its role in decision-making processes.

Maternal Mortality remains a key issue affecting women of reproductive age across the African Region. The current Maternal Mortality Ratio for Lesotho is 566/100,000 live births. This is categorized as very high and is above the regional average of 545/100,000 live births  

The African region celebrates the 3 years of the global movement to eliminate cervical cancer:
Benin hosts the event under the sign of disease prevention and control to save lives

Addis Ababa: The World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia’s Country Office hosted the Inter country, capacity building workshop for the National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) of the host Ethiopia, Lesotho, Namibia, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Somalia from the WHO EMRO Region. The NITAG’s capacity building workshop was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 11 to 15 December 2023.

Bishoftu - The World Health Organization (WHO) proudly launched the Health Transformation Leaders training program on December 18, 2023. High-level representation from national and regional levels, including state ministers of health, heads of regional health bureaus, director generals, and deputies of agencies, was in attendance, making this event a resounding success. 

_{^{By Vivian Mugarisi}}

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - For many Zimbabweans, access to affordable surgical care remains a distant dream. Simple surgical procedures like hernia repair, tonsillectomy and benign tumor excision can become insurmountable obstacles due to exorbitant costs and limited access to specialized surgeons.

^{By Vivian Mugarisi}

Mutare, Zimbabwe – The World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded and expanded the cholera treatment centers (CTCs) at Chiadzwa and Zvipiripiri Rural Health Centres to strengthen the country's response to the ongoing cholera outbreak. The rural health centres are both located in Mutare District, Manicaland Province. This move aims to improve access to critical care and prevent further deaths and spread of the disease in vulnerable communities.