16 October 2008 | Addis Ababa - In the context of ongoing response to a polio outbreak in Gambella region, the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with its partners is planning to conduct a polio vaccination campaign targeting about 2.1 million children under age 5 in the zones of Gambella and Benishangul/Gumuz Regions, 6 zones of Oromia Region and 4 zones of Southern Nation Nationalities People Region (SNNPR). The dates of these campaigns are October 17-20, and November 14-17, 2008.

16 October 2008 | Addis Ababa - In the context of ongoing response to a polio outbreak in Gambella region, the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with its partners is planning to conduct a polio vaccination campaign targeting about 2.1 million children under age 5 in the zones of Gambella and Benishangul/Gumuz Regions, 6 zones of Oromia Region and 4 zones of Southern Nation Nationalities People Region (SNNPR). The dates of these campaigns are October 17-20, and November 14-17, 2008.

14 October 2008 | Almaty, Kazakhstan -- The World Health Report 2008, launched today, critically assesses the way that health care is organized, financed, and delivered in rich and poor countries around the world. The WHO report documents a number of failures and shortcomings that have left the health status of different populations, both within and between countries, dangerously out of balance.

Brazzaville, 13 October 2008 -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis G. Sambo, has said in Luanda that the human resource crisis in the health sector is a gigantic challenge. He therefore urged policy makers and all stakeholders to devote special attention to addressing the problem.

Luanda, 11 October 2008 -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, received an award in Luanda on Friday from the Angolan Medical Association for his work for the health and the well-being of the people of the African Continent.

Brazzaville, 10 October 2008 -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, has concluded an official visit to the Republic of South Africa at the invitation of the South African Government.

The visit took place from Monday 6th - 8th October 08

Luanda, 8 October 2008 -- Luanda will host a regional consultation on management of hemorrhages during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum from 13-14 October 2008 as part of efforts to improve maternal and new-born health care in the African region.

The meeting is also part of efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals related to maternal health, which target a reduction of maternal mortality by 75 per cent between 1990 and 2015, as well as the improvement of the proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel.

With dramatic increases in funding and intense momentum towards reducing the malaria burden in recent years, we have a greater need for reliable information and analysis," said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan.
"This report begins to answer that need. Progress in malaria control has accelerated dramatically since 2006, especially in the wake of the UN Secretary-General’s call for universal malaria control coverage by the end of 2010. We expect these expanded efforts to be reflected in future reports."

Campaign to be completed thanks to first-ever instance of south-south vaccine supply

Brazzaville/Bamako, 11 April 2008 -- A week-long campaign to vaccinate 5.7 million people across the southern half of Mali begins Saturday in the country and, for the first time ever, a mass vaccination campaign will be undertaken thanks to "south-south" vaccine supply: South America's only manufacturer of Yellow Fever vaccine, Bio Manguinhos of Brazil, will be supplying half of the vaccine necessary.

Gambia, 9 September 2008 -- The WHO Representative, Dr Thomas Sukwa, today paid a courtesy call on Her Excellency, the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E Dr. Madam Isatou Njie Saidy at State House. Dr Sukwa was accompanied to the Vice President’s Office by the Honorable Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Malick Njie and some staff members of the WHO Country Office