WHO and Nigerian Government move to curb cardiovascular diseases

Ms. Oninye Iromba receiving an award at the NMSAP launch

Abuja, October 7, 2019 - “My life has not been the same. Had it been I knew how awful it is to have a stroke, I would have been more cautious and protective of my health. I have lost my job and have not been able to secure another one all because I don’t walk and look like I used to. I also get rejected everywhere I show up for an interview”, says Ms. Oninye Iromba, a 34-year-old from Abia state who had stroke at the age of 30. 

Over 51 million children reached in National Immunization campaigns

A child receiving fIPV in Talatan Mafara LGA of Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abuja, 4 October, 2019 - In a bid to bolster immunity of eligible children, the Federal Government of Nigeria supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners immunized over 51 million children during the annual national immunization campaigns. 

The intervention conducted in phases, from 30 July-30 August 2019, reached 51,151,924 eligible children across 36 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

1000 Ebola survivors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kasereka Miyisa Jophet is an Ebola survivor from Butembo. Credit: UNEERO/Martine Perret
United Nations agencies working to stop the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo commend the Government's strong leadership and the tireless efforts of thousands of health workers and partners that have led to 1000 people surviving the disease. 

Malawi receives medicines from the Russian Federation

Malawi receives medicines from the Russian Federation
Lilongwe: On 3 October Mr Illiya Madiev, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Malawi handed over medicines to the Malawi government at a ceremony that took place at the Community Health Sciences Unit in Lilongwe. The Guest of Honor was the Minister of Health and Population, Honorable Jappie Mhango, MP and the distinguished guests were the WHO Representative, Dr Nonhlanhla Rosemary Dlamini and the Secretary for Health, Dr Dan Namarika.

United against rabies in the Kingdom of Eswatini

Children holding messages on rabies

The World Health Organization (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Swaziland Animal Welfare Society collaborated with the Government of Eswatini in commemorating the World Rabies Day 2019. The Ministry of Agriculture through the Veterinary Department together with the Ministry of Health, Eswatini Royal Police, other government sectors and the Malindza community in the Lubombo region held a community event to mark the World Rabies Day. The event included a march in the community, speeches and edutainment.

WHO Representative co-hosts an EVD community mobilization exercise

His Excellency Mr Takayuki Miyashita, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda

Since 1 August 2018, when the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo notified the World Health Organization of a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in North Kivu Province, in the eastern part of the country, the Ebola virus, as of 30 September 2019 claimed the lives of 2133 people in the DRC. Rwanda is a country bordering the DRC with some Districts being near to the Ebola affected areas. The Government of Rwanda initiated preparedness mechanisms to minimize the risk of importation and cross border transmission of EVD as well as to ensure an effective response.

Awarding the Best Anti-Tobacco ‘Fresque Murale’

The winners of the National Anti-Tobacco ‘Fresque Murale’ Inter-College Competition 2019
The Awarding Ceremony for the National Anti-Tobacco ‘Fresque Murale’ Inter-College Competition took place on 30 September 2019 at the R. Gandhi Science Centre, Bell Village in the presence of the high officials from the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, Ministry of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research and WHO Representative in Mauritius, Dr Laurent Musango. Dr Bhoshun Ori, Director Health Services during his welcome address recalled that the National Anti-Tobacco Mural Painting Inter-Collage Competition was organized in June 2019 in the context of the World No-Tobacco Day 2019.  The aim of the competition was to deter the very first puff among young school youth.  A total of twenty-two private and public secondary schools registered for the competition.  Students in group of 5 to 8, led by their respective teachers, conceptualized mural painting at their respective schools according to the technical guidelines set.  A panel of juries comprising technical officers from the ministries of Health and Education, chaired by Dr Ori, Director Health Services, reviewed and assessed the entries based on well-defined criteria which include creativity, relevance and presentation among others. Dr Laurent Musango, WHO Representative in Mauritius, during his speech, congratulated all the students who participated in the competition.  ‘You are winners in this competition’, he told the students present.  During the competition, you have sensitized your peers and everyone at schools on the harmful effects of smoking.  ‘Young people underestimate the likelihood of becoming addicted to nicotine when they first tried to smoke’, emphasized Dr Musango. 

Cabo Verde awarded for its engagement in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases through its Healthy Cities initiative

Award received by the National Association of Cabo Verdean Municipalities
In recognition of its health promotion commitment through the Healthy Cities initiative, the National Association of Cabo Verdean Municipalities was awarded a distinction for Outstanding Non-State Actors – a category including Non-Governmental Organizations, Universities and Philanthropy – from the United Nations Interagency Working Group for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.