Abuja, 09 May 2016 - The African Vaccination Week (AVW) ended in Nigeria with World Health Organization (WHO) calling on the Federal and State Governments to improve immunization and surveillance activities in conflict affected areas of the North East and at international borders. This call was made by the WHO Country Representative (WR) Dr Rui Gama Vaz at the official launch of the AVW in Abuja.

Johannesburg, 06 May 2016 – The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti has called for a change in approach from treating single diseases to promoting health, and to investing in strong national health systems in order to be able to deliver on people’s demands and expectations.

Mityana 5th May 2016 - On April 29th, Uganda commemorated World Health Day a few weeks after the designated 7th April of every year. The function was held at Banda Sub-county Headquarters in Mityana district under the theme “Beat Diabetes: Scale up prevention, Strengthen Care and Enhance Surveillance “.

In Uganda, taking a bath before surgery, closing the door to the operating theatre and ensuring surgeons clean their hands properly can be the difference between life and death. A study involving more than 650 surgical patients, showed the rate of infections halved after new measures were introduced.

Niamey, 4 May 2016 - Today, WHO launched a manual that demonstrates how States in the African Region can improve oral health, especially in primary healthcare centres, schools and communities. The publication entitled Promoting oral health in Africa: Prevention and management of oral diseases and noma as essential interventions against n

Monrovia, 4 May - Jamese a fourth grade student aged 10 from Ganta United Methodist School who was the first girl to receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine said “I feel fine”. This was during the launch of the regional African Vaccination Week held jointly with the World Malaria Day commemoration in Ganta, Nimba County on 25th April, 2016. HPV vaccine has been introduced in Liberia to help to protect more than 14,000 girls at risk, against a virus that causes cervical cancer.

Kampala, 3rd May 2016 - World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) launched the sixth African Vaccination Week (AVW), to raise awareness on the importance of vaccination in reducing child mortality and renew efforts around universal vaccination coverage. Vaccination can save children’s lives, and keep adults, communities and nations, healthy. One in five African children still lacks access to all the necessary and basic vaccinations.

Kenya celebrated African Vaccination Week with launches, radio messages, community meetings and various mother-to-child-related activities around the country. The country delayed the celebrations in order to merge it with Malezi Bora (Good Upbringing) celebrations which are set aside annually to focus on increased uptake of immunization and other health services through sustained communication, advocacy and social mobilization. The celebrations were held on May 2-14, 2016.