Lusaka, 8 March 2017 - Blood transfusion is a potentially life-saving medical intervention. Blood products such as clotting factors and immunoglobulins are designated by WHO as essential medicines. The World Health Assembly (WHA) 63.12 resolution of 2010 highlighted concerns about the unequal access to blood products, especially plasma-derived products, which may result in needy patients, including those with severe congenital and acquired disorders, failing to have access to quality and safe transfusion services.

Tackling maternal mortality is among the most critical priorities for Sierra Leone. Today, much is being done to improve the quality of healthcare before, during and after women give birth.

Taking data from 2015, it is estimated that every day, the equivalent of eight women lose their lives during pregnancy and childbirth. This is an immense tragedy for families, for communities, and for the nation as a whole.

Abuja, 08 March 2017 - Over the years, the Polio Eradication Initiative has been a vehicle for the empowerment of Nigerian women economically and socially. In recent times, this positive development has gained more impact with the timely and direct disbursement of funds for payment of vaccination personnel allowances down to grassroots level.

Nairobi, March 7, 2017 - The African Health Agenda International Conference, AHAIC, in Nairobi set off to an enthused start with calls for realistic and holistic solutions that are informed by research and evidence, strengthening of health systems, commitment of governments through financing of health and engagement  of youth and other actors to address the disease burden in the continent.

06 March 2017, Juba, South Sudan – The Government of Japan and the World Health Organization (WHO) delivered three all-terrain vehicles for the three regional Blood Transfusion Centres in Juba, Wau and Malakal, at the end of their USD 2 million project for boosting blood donation.  The three vehicles are a shot in the arm for the Regional Blood Transfusion Centres to collect more contributions through mobile blood donation drives.

Members of the Parliamentary forum on Malaria and those from the Health Committee of the Parliament agreed to support the ongoing Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net (LLIN) campaign through increased advocacy and sensitization of the masses.  In addition, they agreed to follow up discussions on tax waivers on medical devices such as  malaria rapid diagnostic tests, lobbying for increased financial resources for health and enforcing accountability in parliament.

Maiduguri, 03 March 2017 - Borno state in northeast Nigeria has recorded its first Lassa fever outbreak in almost five decades. The last confirmed outbreak of the deadly disease was in 1969. WHO is supporting the government to contain the outbreak in an area of the country which is already coping with a humanitarian crisis resulting from years of conflict.

Addis Ababa, 15 February 2017 – The World Health Organization Country Office in Ethiopia in collaboration with the Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration and Control Authority of Ethiopia (FMHACA), organized a two-day policy dialogue on Intersectoral Action for strengthening Tobacco Control.

03 March 2017, Juba, South Sudan – Despite multiple humanitarian crises, including famine, the first round of the National Immunization Days of 2017 is underway throughout South Sudan aiming to reach over three million children under 5 with two drops of polio vaccine.

Disease outbreaks have hit many countries, world over, with millions of lives lost and a lot of women and children left suffering. Outbreaks are very unpredictable and what begins as a rumor or isolated confirmed case can multiply leading to many cases and deaths.