On 17th of February, 2014, the United Republic of Tanzania officially launched the review of the fourth (4th) National Tuberculosis Strategic Plan (2009-15) in Dar es Salaam.

On the 12th February 2014, the WHO Country Office hosted a briefing session on health financing and universal health coverage. The meeting held in Dar es Salaam and officiated by the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Hon. Dr. Kebwe Steven Kebwe, gathered senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), development partners, representatives from NGOs and CSOs and other health stakeholders.

On 11th February 2014, the Catholic Church in Tanzania launched the Test and Treat Project which will be implemented in Bugisi District in Shinyanga Region. The occasion which was a Catholic Holy Mass, was held at premises of the Catholic Church Headquarters in Tanzania and led by the Archbishop of Mwanza, Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi.

11 February 2014, Nairobi -- Kenya’s first National Health Promotion Strategy and Guiding frameworks were officially launched today. The Launch, which marked a major milestone in the country was held in a well- attended and colourful ceremony in Nairobi and was graced by the Cabinet Secretary (CS) of Health, Mr James Macharia.

On 6th February 2014, Dr. Thomas Sukwa, the new WHO Country Representative for Lesotho, presented his cre-dentials to the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs & Interna-tional Relations, Mr. Mohlabi Tsekoa, and paid a courtesy call on the Right Hon. Prime Minister of Lesotho, Dr. Thomas Motsoahae Thabane.

Kampala, 07th February 2014 -- Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA) has changed its drugs testing strategy from mandatory testing of selected drugs to a risk-based approach. In this approach, only drugs from manufacturers that are not prequalified by the World Health Organization are subjected to mandatory testing.

7 February 2014 -- New mortality estimates from WHO show that annual measles deaths have reached historic lows, dropping 78% from more than 562 000 in 2000 to 122 000 in 2012. During this time period, an estimated 13.8 million deaths have been prevented by measles vaccination.

04 February 2014, Nairobi – Kenya joined the rest of the world in commemorating this year’s World Cancer Day. The national event, commemorated in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, under the global theme “Debunking the Myths”, was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Mr. James Macharia.

The Chief Guest noted that the day provided a special opportunity to raise awareness and improve general knowledge and dispel myths and misconceptions about cancer.

Addis Ababa, 4 February -- World Health Organization Country Office for Ethiopia welcomed closer collaboration with UNOPS, the operational arm of the United Nations, after a meeting with Garry Conille, UNOPS Regional Director for Africa, and Bamidele Ilebani, UNOPS Country Coordinator for Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan.

The cordial meeting gave an opportunity for WHO to highlight areas of collaboration between UNOPS and WHO to intensify their joint efforts to Deliver as One in Ethiopia, particularly to improve procurement and operations capacity during emergencies.

Brazzaville, 3 February 2014 – The 2nd All Africa Workshop on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease was held from 1 to 2 February in Victoria Falls, Zambia.