The Ministry of Health with WHO support organized from 12 to 16 March 2018, a multisectoral workshop on the initial self-evaluation of IHR using the Joint External Evaluation(JEE) tool.

The workshop was opened by Dr Innocent Turate, Head of Department of IHDPC/RBC, who reminded participants that this workshop is a key step for the strategy to achieve the SDG n° 3.d focusing on international public health threats prevention and control.

Maureen (not real name), an HIV+ mother of two, is a Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) survivor. Her story is similar to many other TB patients who have contracted TB unknowingly. Maureen contracted Tuberculosis (TB) in 2013 while on a bus from Arua to Kampala. “A man seated behind me, in the bus coughed so hard, and the smell of his breath was so bad,” she narrates.

Abuja, 28 March 2018 - The 35th Expert Review Committee for Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization (ERC) has expressed optimism that the Nigerian programme is on course to achieving polio eradication with ‘impressive progress’ recorded. The ERC meets periodically to evaluate progress towards the attainment of a polio-free Nigeria. The monitoring body provides guidance to the government and partners.

Maiduguri, 28 March 2018 -  “When I heard the voice of my favourite singer, Fati Niger, on radio this morning, she simply made my day,” says Mallam Usman, a 39 year old year old internally displaced person in Dalori camp, Maiduguri, Borno state. 

“My spirit was elated, and instantly I felt relieved of my worries. But more importantly, I learned how to protect myself and my household from cholera, meningitis and Lassa fever. I was keen to listen more, but the music was cut short. I wish it played on and on and on,” said Usman.  

Dar es Salaam, 20 March 2018: The introduction of pediatric fixed-dose combination (FDC) treatment for Tuberculosis (TB) offers the opportunity to improve treatment outcome and child survival in Tanzania. The FDC does not contain new drugs but rather improved formulation of currently used medicines recommended by WHO for first line TB treatment.

On 22 March 2018, Ghana joined the rest of the world in commemorating 2018 World TB Day whose theme was "Wanted, Leaders for a TB-Free Ghana.‟ The national launch took place at Mantse Agbona, in James Town- Accra in the Greater Accra Region.

March 2018

In 1996, poliovirus paralysed more than 75,000 children across the continent, in every single country. That year, Nelson Mandela launched ‘Kick Polio Out of Africa’, marking the launch of a unique, cross-sectoral and cross-continental movement to protect all children from paralysis.