In November 2008, the Government of Côte d'Ivoire conducted a nationwide measles immunization campaign targeting children from nine months to five years.

Côte d'Ivoire has suffered from significant periods of crisis, beginning with a coup in 1999 and then the conflict in 2002. With a peace agreement signed, general elections are expected to take place in 2009. According to the WHO-UNICEF immunization coverage estimates, in 2007, only 67% of children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services.

Harare, 19 December 2008--The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, has visited Zimbabwe to support the cholera epidemic response efforts.

During the three-day visit from 16-19 December 08, Dr Sambo held discussions with national authorities and partners on ways and means of bringing an end to the spread of the cholera epidemic.

Maseru, 12 December 2008 -- In yet another milestone effort to reduce childhood sicknesses and deaths from preventable diseases, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), Dr. Mphu Ramatlapeng, officially launched the Pentavalent vaccine, for the first time in the history of Lesotho.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the MOHSW, WHO, UNICEF, the GAVI Alliance and other partners, this life-saving vaccine was introduced to provide more protection to children in the country.

12 December 2008 -- A widespread cholera outbreak and inadequate access to safe drinking water and hygiene are threatening the wellbeing of thousands of Zimbabweans. Shortages of medicines, equipment and staff at health facilities throughout the country are compounding the health challenges.

The outbreak could surpass 60 000 cases, according to estimates by the Zimbabwe Health Cluster, which is a group coordinated by WHO and comprising health providers, NGOs and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare

10 December 2008, Harare -- A widespread cholera outbreak, under-resourced and under-staffed health system, and inadequate access to safe drinking water and hygiene are threatening the wellbeing of thousands of Zimbabweans. As of 9 December, 16 141 suspected cases of cholera and 775 resultant deaths (case fatality rate of 4.8%) had been recorded since August in two-thirds of the country's 62 districts.

8 December 2008 -- The World Health Organisation(WHO) is currently coordinating the Health Sector response to the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe in support of the countrys Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. From August to 5 December, 13 960 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded, including 589 deaths. WHO has deployed extra epidemiologists, a water and sanitation expert and a logistician to support ongoing cholera control efforts.

2 December 2008 -- Massive displacement of population, weak health services and a lack of safe water and proper sanitation facilities have put the health of hundreds of thousands of people at risk in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

24th November 2008. The Minister of State for Health Dr Emmanuel Otaala has called for strong cross-border surveillance for Guinea Worm disease saying it is one of the sure ways to eradicate the diseases. Speaking at the opening ceremony for the Inter-regional meeting for Guinea Warm eradication programmes held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, Dr Otaala said that “we cannot achieve eradication working as individual countries – we need to work as a group.”

24th November 2008. The First Lady of Uganda Hon Janet Museveni launched Uganda’s Roadmap to accelerate reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity calling on all partners and stakeholders to play their role in its implementation. The launch took place during the commemoration of the Safe Motherhood Day for 2008 held in Buwama, Mpigi district.

Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Malaria Day on the 30th of May in Kanyemba, in Mashonaland Central Province.  WHO, UNICEF, PSI and Syngenta were some of the RBM partners that supported and participated during the commemoration of the first ever World Malaria Day.  Other Local partners from the province participated during the launch.