The Government of the Republic of Zambia has renewed its commitment to end Obstetric Fistula as a public health problem in the country by the year 2030. On May 23, 2023, Zambia commemorated the International Day for Elimination of Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF) under the theme, “20 Years on - Progress but not enough! Act Now to End Fistula by 2030.” It was at the same event that the Ministry of Health officially launched the National Obstetric Fistula Strategic Plan for the period 2022 to 2026. 

Dar es Salaam - Active participation of the local communities is key to promoting community ownership and commitment towards addressing negative practices that favour the spread of diseases. World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health are working together to empower key community groups living in affected regions by the recent cholera outbreak in Tanzania with appropriate sanitation and hygienic skills and advocacy messages to prevent and respond to the outbreak.

The World Health Organization (WHO) donated an assortment of emergency and essential medicines and medical supplies totaling 19.5 metric tons (MT) to the Afar Region of Ethiopia. 

The medicines and medical supplies, estimated to be worth over USD 135,000, will benefit more than 400,000 individuals in various woredas impacted by disease outbreaks and ongoing humanitarian situations. 

The medicines and medical supplies include 222 modules of Trauma and Emergency Kit (TESK), Interagency Emergency Health Kit (IEHK), and Malaria and Measles supplies.

Mary Ukuach Deng, 34 years old and her three little children on a Tuesday morning awoke to a rattling sound of gunshots at her residence of Hai Mayo in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. It began a long rough journey to safety for Deng with her family. Deng, among others, was forced to flee to her country of origin, South Sudan, by the intense fighting in Khartoum.

Abuja, 22 May, 2023 - At least 64% of children ages 12 to 23 months in Nigeria failed to receive all recommended vaccines by the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in the last five years, from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS). 
The development is increasing the risk of outbreaks and child mortality due to vaccine-preventable diseases.

Osun, 22 May, 2023 - Summoning the courage to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, 49 years old Mrs Olatunji Kafayat, residing in Osogbo, Osun state, southwest Nigeria, closes her eyes as the syringe pierce her arm. 

Smiling after the vaccination, Mrs Olatunji says it was her first COVID-19 dose. 

“I took the COVID-19 vaccine because the sensitization team that came to my community to raise awareness was able to convince me about the importance of receiving it.

Zamfara, 19 May, 2023 -  Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, residing in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria was 12 when he contracted the poliovirus. 

As a direct consequence, he developed a disability that paralyzed his left leg, affecting his mobility. He now uses crutches to aid his movement. 

Ibrahim could not recount the reasons why he did not receive the recommended routine immunization, especially the vaccines against polio, that would have prevented the disease he suffers now.