Kaduna, 31 May 2016 - Kaduna State is working with partners, notably the World Health Organization (WHO), to put in place a plan that ensures investments in polio eradication do not dissipate into oblivion but rather contribute towards achievement of other public health interventions such as strengthening routine immunization (RI) and laying the groundwork for pursuing the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Brazzaville, 31 May 2016 - The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, is calling on countries in the Region to prioritize the adoption of stronger warnings on tobacco products including plain packaging.

Dr Moeti's message comes as the global community commemorates World No Tobacco Day, under the theme: “Get Ready for Plain packaging.”

Lusaka, 30 May 2016 - The commemoration of the World Malaria Day (WMD) 2016 in Zambia was held on 25th April, 2016 in Katete District, Eastern Province at Vulamukoko Rural Health Centre. The theme for the commemoration was “End Malaria for Good”. The theme is reflective of the vision of a world free from malaria as provided in the Global Malaria Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030.

Lilongwe, 17 - 19 May 2016 - The Disaster Risk profiling workshop, which was organized by the World Health Organization started on 17 May at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe for participants from Ministry of Health and its partners ended on 19 May 2016. The workshop was facilitated by a team of experts from WHO Geneva and the African Region Office (AFRO). The facilitators were Mark Shapiro and Adrienne Rashford both from Preparedness Support Team, WHO, Geneva and Dr Joyce Hightower, Consultant, Preparedness, Service Delivery and Safety also from WHO Geneva.

Abuja, 28 May 2016 - The United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Tuberculosis, Dr Eric Goosby has completed a working visit to Nigeria, and delivered a keynote address to stimulate private sector partnership during a 2-day National Tuberculosis Conference organised by the Nigeria Stop TB partnership with the theme, ‘Hidden Face of Tuberculosis’ from 16-19 May, 2016.  The wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Oshibajo and the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole graced the occasion.

Kaduna, 29 May 2016 - Traditional leaders in northern Nigeria have once more taken up the task to optimize resources at their disposal to fast-track the delivery of primary health care (PHC) services under-one-roof model as well as reinforce community trust and create demand for immunization through the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on PHC (NTLC). The position of the Royal Fathers was articulated in the speech of Alhaji Kyari Ibn Umar El-Kanemi, Chairman of NTLC and Emir of Bama, during the first quarter review meeting held in Kaduna on 24 May, 2016.

On 28 May 2016, the Ministry of Health of Kenya notified WHO of an outbreak of Chikungunya in Mandera East sub-county.

The first reports of an increase in cases with febrile illness and joint pains occurred in May 2016. Samples were collected and shipped to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Arboviral Laboratory in Nairobi. On 16 May, KEMRI laboratory confirmed 7 of the 10 samples tested positive for Chikungunya virus. All samples tested negative for other arboviruses including: dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses.

25 MAY 2016 | GENEVA - WHO Member States today agreed to one of the most profound transformations in the Organization’s history, establishing a new Health Emergencies Programme. The programme adds operational capabilities for outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies to complement its traditional technical and normative roles.

Monrovia, 24 May 2016 - The 2ndAnnual Celebration of Medical Laboratory Professionals’ week was successfully celebrated in Monrovia, Liberia 27- 28th April, 2016 under the theme “Think locally – link globally”. Events marking the celebration included panel discussions; concurrent workshops examining different thematic areas and exhibitions. This conference brought together local and international scientists to learn, network and discuss solutions that create basic building blocks in Liberia Laboratory system.

Maiduguri, 24 May 2015 - The abduction of the Chibok school girls of Borno State in April 2014 brought the erstwhile quiet community into international limelight while at the same time creating a major health deficit in the lives of the people. The attack left the community ransacked, with all of the 18 health facilities in the Local Government Area (LGA) devastated and incapable of providing the most basic healthcare services. Health workers abandoned their posts for fear of attacks, lack of access into and out of the community and the absence of any dependable security network.