Nigeria to vaccinate 7.7 million girls against leading cause of cervical cancer
Abuja, 24 October 2023 – Nigeria today introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization system, aiming to reach 7.7 million girls – the largest number in a single round of HPV vaccination in the African region – in a vaccination drive against the virus that causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
Girls aged 9–14 years will receive a single dose of the vaccine, which is highly efficacious in preventing infection with HPV types 16 and 18 that are known to cause at least 70% of cervical cancers.
Parliamentarians from Around the World Witness the Progress and Challenges of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Angola
Luanda, Angola – 23 October 2023. The members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Advisory Group on Health made a field visit to the Hospital Materno Infantil Dr Manuel Pedro Azancot de Menezes in Luanda. The hospital was inaugurated on 1 June 2022, as a specialized facility to support maternal and child health services. The field visit was convened by the Angolan Ministry of Health, and coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO reiterates commitment to support CSOs to advance public health outcomes
Dodoma - The World Health Organization, Tanzania, has reiterated its commitment to support Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) which includes non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based associations (CBAs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs) to advance public health outcomes especially among the under-served and vulnerable populations.
Stakeholders commit to scaling up the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis
Accra, Ghana - Stakeholders from 25 member states in the African region convened from 16th to 18th October 2023 in Accra, Ghana to engage in a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation review workshop and develop country action plans to enhance and expand the region's PrEP programming.
Supporting the improvement of the health information system in Angola
On 19th October 2023, Luanda: WHO Angola marked another step in its continuous effort to strengthen health systems in Angola with the delivery of technological material to the Studies, Planning and Statistics Office (GEPE) at the Ministry of Health with support from the European Union (EU).
Towards sustainable genomics: training on the use of a genomics costing tool in Namibia
Ever wondered how much will it cost a laboratory to implement routine genomics activities annually? Or how a laboratory can get the best value for money for its genomics activities? Or how a laboratory can budget for a scale-up of its genomics activities?
WHO Kicks Off Donate Blood, Save Lives Campaign
To commemorate World Blood Donor Day, the World Health Organisation(WHO) in partnership with the Lesotho Blood Transfusion Service launched a campaign aimed at encouraging voluntary blood donation to save lives.
WHO recognizes the critical importance of adequate and safe blood supply to support healthcare systems.
Angola invests in strengthening pharmacovigilance
Benguela, 16 October 2023: To guarantee access to quality medicines and improve drug assistance to the population, Angola has been carrying out a series of initiatives that include the creation and approval of policies that guide pharmacovigilance, strengthening the supervision of the sale and consumption of medicines, as well as the implementation of the system of single and reliable purchases of medicines, with the support of strategic partners, including t
Responding to a Suspected Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak in Remote Dajo: Lessons and Triumphs
In the wake of a concerning development, authorities in Longochuk County, Upper Nile State, reported a series of fatalities on 15 May 2023, believed to be linked to a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak in the secluded villages of Dajo and Pacime. Patients displayed concerning symptoms, including fever, headache, and diarrhea, with many cases reported among children.
Putting communities at the center of the mental health agenda in Ghana
Dambai, Ghana - When Kwabena Asare*, 32 from Bodada in Ghana’s Oti region developed a mental health condition in 2018, he sought help from the health centre and received medication and support, which is helping him to recover.
However, he is concerned that the lack of support from family and friends is undermining his recovery efforts.