Monrovia, Liberia:

On behalf of Dr. Margaret Chan (Director-General of the World Health Organization) and Dr. Luis G. Sambo (WHO Regional Director for Africa), the WHO Country Office for Liberia is delighted to donate 66 boxes of Onchocerciasis Drugs to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The donation is valued at over US$150,000.00 (One Hundred Fifty Thousand United States Dollars).

Monrovia, Liberia:

Brazzaville, 4 February 2010 -- Africans have been advised to adopt healthy behaviours and lifestyles that reduce the risk of getting cancers, and to undergo early screening and treat-ment for cancer and precancerous lesions.

This advice was given today by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis G. Sambo, in his message to mark World Cancer Day, observed worldwide on 4 February.

Harare, 27 January 2010 -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), handed over to WHO, 50 000 personal protective equipment (PPEs) kits for influenza preparedness for use by health workers in Zimbabwe and throughout Southern Africa. The kits were handed over at a colourful ceremony which was attended by the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr H. Madzorera, the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe ,Charles Ray, WHO IST/ESA Coordinator, Dr O. Walker, and USAID Director, Karen Freeman, among others. 

(A) BACKGROUND

A multi-sectoral taskforce was set up to plan this year’s World Health Day activities under the theme “Save Lives. Make Hospitals Safe in Emergencies.’’ The committee was chaired by the Programme Manager Health Education and Promotion. The taskforce held several meetings to plan for this event.

(B) COMMEMORATIVE ACTIVITIES

Brazzaville/Geneva, 19 January 2010 -- Dr Luis Gomes Sambo of Angola was today re-appointed as the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa at the 126th Session of the Executive Board in Geneva, Switzerland.

He was unanimously nominated for re-appointment by Member States at the WHO Regional Committee (RC) meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda in August 2009. The Committee requested the Director-General to propose to the WHO Executive Board to re-appoint him as Regional Director with effect from 1 February 2010.

Brazzaville/Geneva, 18 January 2010 -- The 126th Session of the World Health Organization's Executive Board began its deliberations today - Monday 18 January 2010.

The Executive Board is composed of 34 individuals technically qualified in the field of health, each one designated by a Member State elected to do so by the World Health Assembly.

Issues to be discussed are:

Brazzaville/Geneva, 14 January 2010 -- The 126th Session of the World Health Organization's Executive Board will begin its deliberations from 18 to 23 January 2010.

The Executive Board is composed of 34 individuals technically qualified in the field of health, each one designated by a Member State elected to do so by the World Health Assembly.

Issues to be discussed are:

Brazzaville, 14 January 2010 -- The World Health Organization (WHO)’s African Regional Director-elect Dr Luis Gomes Sambo of Angola will be sworn in to serve a second term of office at the 126th Session of the Executive Board meeting due to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 18 - 23 January 2010.

Dr Sambo was unanimously re-nominated by Member States of the WHO Regional Committee on 31 August during the opening session of the annual Regional Committee meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda in August 2009.