Abuja, 4 March, 2022 – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has underscored the Organization’s commitment to support Nigeria’s efforts in reinforcing its health system for better access to adequate and quality health services. Dr Moeti made the pledge during a visit to Africa’s most population country from 20 to 25 February 2022.

Akol Kuol Magiir is one of the community champion informants in Kuac South Payam, Gogrial West County of Warrap State. Mr Magiir since his involvement as a community informant for Auto-Visual AFP Detection and Reporting (AVADAR) has sent in a countless number of alerts of suspected Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases out of which four AFP cases were found to be true AFP cases. When asked, what motivated him to work so enthusiastically, his answer was “I am doing it for the love of my community, and I don’t want to see any child left behind in the fight against polio”.  

The Ministry of Health recently launched an Ultra-Cold Chain Vaccines that will be used to store Coronavirus vaccines in the fight against Covid-19 in the country.

In an official ceremony, Dr Ahmed Lamin Samateh, Hon. Minister of Health noted that the provision of the Ultra Cold Chain Vaccines is meant to ensure that “we are able to restore vaccines in our collective endeavor against COVID-19.”

The Ministry of Health Eritrea requested the technical support of WHO to assess the capacities needed to upgrade the microbiology laboratory which is part of the National Health Laboratory (NHL) and to develop the roadmap for the upgrading of the laboratory. In order to undertake this support WHO engaged a consultant for a period of 3 weeks (22 November to 10 December 2021). The consultant was supported by the WHO laboratory expert from WHO/AFRO who was in country from 7-18 December 2021 as well as WHO Country Office staff.

“The majority of our population in the cities and rural areas depend on untreated water points with potentially contaminated water. This puts them at risk of waterborne disease outbreaks like cholera”, said Dr John Rumunu, the Director-General of Preventive Health Services, Ministry of Health.

Oxygen is the most critical medicine for people with severe COVID-19, yet its supplies are unstable in many countries. Without a significant investment in oxygen infrastructure, those whose illness is severe and who cannot access oxygen will die.

There is a need for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to adopt healthy lifestyles to address the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) that Botswana and all the countries in the region face. 

Like in many countries in the continent, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed significant gaps in the health care system - one of them being lack of a Public Health Laboratory (PHL) in Unguja, Zanzibar.