World AIDS Day was nationally commemorated in Eritrea on December 1, 2010 under the theme, “Universal Access and Human Rights,” in the capital city.

In Asmara, the event was marked at the Bahti Meskerem Square in the presence of Zoba Maekel officials, UN heads of agencies, community representatives, students and other invited guests.

On the occasion to mark the World AIDS Day (December 1, 2010), the Deputy President Mr Kgalema Motlanthe and Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in their address to the nation in Mpumalanga Province commended South Africans who have heeded the “Presidential Call for Action” to stop the transmission of new infections by taking the simple step of taking a blood test to check for the presence of HIV infection in their bodies.

Luanda, 3 December 2010 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo, visited the northern Angolan province of Cabinda and held discussions with the director of health services, Dr. Carlos Zeca, to support and encourage the local authorities who are organizing a second round of polio vaccination from 4 to 6th December, targeting 600,000 children and adults.

Brazzaville, 1 December 2010 -- “I urge countries to protect the basic human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS, including their rights to employment, access to financial ser-vices, and other basic conditions required for them to fulfill their social and economic needs.”

This plea was made by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, in his message to mark World AIDS Day, observed across the globe on 1 December since 1998. World AIDS Day 2010 is being observed under the theme Universal Access and Human Rights.

Luanda, 26 November 2010 -- Health and Environment Ministers from Africa on Thursday began a two-day meeting in Luanda, Angola, to identify new ways to consolidate a joint continental response to the heavy burden of disease attributable to environmental factors.

Luanda, 26 November 2010 -- African Health and Environment Ministers on Friday ended a two-day meeting in Luanda, Angola, with the adoption of the Luanda Commitment which outlines the continent’s health and environment priorities and commits countries to take actions to address them, and accelerate the implementation of the Libreville Declaration.

Harare, 22 Nov. 2010 GSM training for generalists kicked off in Harare this morning with facilitators from the Regional Office and participants from 10 countries in the sub-region. The 5 days training workshop was officially opened by WR Zimbabwe, Dr Custodia Mandlhate.

In her opening statement, Dr Mandlhate said she hopes that the training will allay the fears, myths and misconceptions about GSM. “GSM is a just a management tool that will make our jobs easier,” said Dr Mandlhate.

Luanda, 23 November 2010 -- The preparatory meeting of experts for the Second Inter-Ministerial Conference on Health and Environment in Africa opened on Tuesday in Luanda, Angola, with government experts and ministerial advisers from across Africa in attendance.

The technical meeting, from 23 to 24 November, brings together over 300 participants, including senior government officials, experts on health and environment, academics, representatives of NGOs, IGOs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, among others.

Windhoek: 16 November 2010: The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) will commemorate World Diabetes Day through week-long activities, titled: ”Diabetes Education and Prevention with the slogan:"Let's take control of diabetes. Now."

In keeping with the theme of World Diabetes Day, events lined up target both health workers and the general public, noting that action is required at all levels in order to take control of this largely avoidable disease. 

Nairobi, Kenya 16 November 2010 -- Sixteen universities, medical and nursing schools from nine East and Southern African countries have agreed to introduce the Community-Directed Intervention (CDI) strategy in their curricula, as a way of expanding the use of the innovative and cost-effective strategy which encourages community ownership of health care delivery.