The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) validated its central and districts level 2013 annual operational plans in Freetown from 8-9 November 2012. The plans were validated in a 2 day workshop held for the health sector partners including the MoHS national level officials, District Health Management Teams, the local councils authorities and development partners including the UN, donor and Non-Governmental Organizations to contribute in the finalization of the plans that will guide operations of the sector.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation launched three documents on Reproductive and Child Health programme on 7 November 2012. The documents included Reproductive, Newborn and Child Health (RNCH) Policy 2011-2015, RNCH Strategy 2011-2015 and a Strategic Plan for Adolescent and Young People’s Health & Development 2011-2015. The Acting Minister of Health and Sanitation Hon. Borbor Sawyerr launched the documents. State functionaries, UN agencies and other development partners, and health implementing partners attended the ceremony.

Monrovia’s Star of the Sea Health Centre is the first health facility in Liberia to offer women psychosocial and legal support alongside health services.

The Ministries of Health of Sierra Leone and Guinea conducted a 3 day cross border meeting on cholera and other priority diseases prevention and control, in Makeni Sierra Leone from 31 October to 2 November 2012.

31 October 2012, South Sudan – The construction of the new maternity wing in Bor hospital being undertaken by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of South Sudan, with funding from the Canadian Interagency Development Agency (CIDA) is near completion, says Dr Abdi Aden Mohamed, WHO Representative, South Sudan Office.

On 29 October 2012, Malawi officially launched the Rotavirus vaccine children under one year of age. The launch took place in Ntchisi district, central Malawi and the guest of honor was the Vice President of the Republic of Malawi and Minister of Health, Right Honorable Khumbo Kachali. Malawi is the fourth GAVI-eligible country in Africa to roll out rotavirus vaccine in the national immunization schedule, following the footsteps of Sudan, Ghana and Rwanda.

Brazzaville, 25 October 2012 -- As the Sahel food crisis persists, compounded by recent flooding in the region, the World Health Organization (WHO) has appealed to health and development partners to support affected countries prioritize de-worming activities as part of urgent relief efforts.

Addis Ababa, 20 October 2012 -- In a magnificent event organized at the Gefersa Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center, Ethiopia observed the World Mental Health Day under the theme, “Depression: A Global Crisis” with a series of activities aimed at raising public awareness about mental health, launching the Mental Health Strategy and awarding Her Excellency, Parliamentarian and Patron for Mental Health, W/ro Azeb Mesfin, in recognition of her extra ordinary contribution to improve mental health services in the country.

22 October 2012, Nairobi -- The 8th International Conference on Mother and Child Health (MCH) Handbook co-hosted by the Government of Kenya and the International Committee on MCH Handbook was officially opened by the Hon. Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, Hon. Beth Mugo. The 4 day International Conference was held in Nairobi at the Multimedia University College of Kenya under the theme “Use of the MCH Handbook to Accelerate the Achievement of MDGs 4 and 5”.

My speech will be very short, not statement oriented, but good will’s wishing oriented. 

On behalf of the Cluster on Human and Social Development and the World Health Organization that I have the privilege to represent in Ethiopia and also to AUC and UNECA, I would like to welcome you and to convey our warm greetings to all the participants to this meeting in Addis Ababa, the politic capital of Africa.