13 December 2017, Addis Ababa - Ethiopia commemorated the World Antibiotics awareness week recently from 23rd - 29th of November 2017.  The theme for this year was “Seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before taking antibiotics”. The awareness week commenced by a panel discussion which was held at Ethiopian Public Health Institute in Addis Ababa on 23rd November 2017 and various activities were held throughout the week including press conference, short spot message through ETV and Radio.

Maiduguri,11 December 2017 - Following the successful implementation of the first oral cholera vaccination campaign (OCV) in Nigeria, more than 3500 team members, 80 independent monitors and 50 ward focal persons are currently administering a second dose of OCV in six high risk local government areas (LGAs) of Borno state. The exercise aims to ensure that the ongoing cholera outbreak, which has affected more than 5000 persons including 61 deaths, is swiftly brought under control. 

Dr Felix Anyah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-bu teaching hospital has won the Health Award at Impact Africa Summit held on 30 November, 2017 at the Tang Palace Hotel in Accra, Ghana, under the theme ”Sustainable Development Goals-Building Partnerships”.

Zambia declared a cholera outbreak on 6th October, 2017 after two laboratory confirmed cases were recorded from Mazyopa area in Chipata sub-district in Lusaka district. The outbreak has since spread to other sub-districts within Lusaka and to Chongwe and Shibuyunji districts in Lusaka province including the Copperbelt and Central provinces. The outbreak is affecting people of different age groups including children under the age of five with more than 650 cases and 20 deaths recorded.

WHO has reaffirmed its support for initiatives and networks for harmonization and convergence of regulatory practices including establishment of the African Medicines Agency; as well as provide training through the WHO Global Learning Opportunities, WHO Collaborating Centres and Regional Centres of Regulatory Excellence.

“Reporting Health for behavioural change”

Dr. Nathan Nsubuga Bakyaita presented his letters of credence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Harry Kalaba at a brief ceremony which was held in Lusaka on 7 December 2017. This follows his recent appointment as the WHO Representative to Zambia. The Minister welcomed Dr. Bakyaita to Zambia and congratulated him on being appointed to his new position as he accepted his letters of credence. He assured Dr. Bakyaita of the Government’s commitment to continued collaboration with the World Health Organization in improving the health of Zambians.

Kampala, 8th December 2017:- After completing two incubation cycles (42 days) without registering any new Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) case, the recent outbreak in Uganda has been officially declared controlled.

7 December 2017, Johannesburg, South Africa – This week, immunization experts from across the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region and beyond convened in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the biannual Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (RITAG) meeting. The RITAG serves as the principal advisory group to the WHO Regional Office for Africa, offering strategic guidance on regional immunization policies and programs.

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - Reproductive health and family planning experts have agreed to scale up access to quality family planning and improved reproductive health services for young people.