The WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr. Joaquim Saweka has emphasized that Traditional leaders, especially Chiefs and their Elders have a major responsibility as partners in the dissemination of health information in their communities. Dr. Saweka said the position of chiefs in the traditional set up in Ghana, as he has observed, makes Chiefs potential instruments for effective dissemination of important health information among the rural folks majority of whom do not have access to health information through modern technology.

Dar Es Salaam, 29 February 2008 -- The Eastern and Southern African Annual Expanded Programs on Immunization (EPI) Managers Meeting which took place in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania from 27th – 29th February 2008 has ended with the adoption of 16 resolutions aimed at child survival.

In his closing remarks on 29th February, Dr. Mohammed Belhocine, WHO Representative to Tanzania called on the EPI managers to implement the 16 recommendations adopted by the three day meeting. The recommendations focused on integrated child survival in general and EPI in particular.

Abuja, 27 February 2008 -- WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan on Saturday ended her first official visit to Nigeria expressing optimism that polio can be kicked out of the country this year with the government and partners keeping up their hard work and commitment. She praised the commitment of Nigeria’s traditional and religious leaders to polio eradication, and pledged WHO’s support to make it happen in 2008

Victoria, Mahe, 25 February 2008 -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo said the World Health organization is fully committed to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He pointed out that the WHO 11th Global Programme of Work is harmonized with the MDGs and at country level the Country Cooperation Strategies will be fully aligned to national health plans.

25 February 2008 | Abuja - WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan on Saturday ended her first official visit to Nigeria expressing optimism that polio can be kicked out of the country this year with the government and partners keeping up their hard work and commitment. She praised the commitment of Nigeria’s traditional and religious leaders to polio eradication, and pledged WHO’s support to make it happen.

Abuja, 21 February 2008 -- WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, on Thursday in Abuja joined the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Turai Yar’Adua and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Saad Abubakar, in flagging off the second round of national Immunization Plus Days (IPDs) in Nigeria.

In response to the escalating public health problems related to the harmful use of alcohol and other psychoactive substance, the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO) has begun a project using the WHO tool called ASSIST-Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test- for detection and early intervention for psychoactive substance users.

WHO Director-General leaves a message of hope "More investment in the national health system will bring more improvements in health"

19 February 2008 | Abuja - The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Margaret Chan, will pay her first official visit to Nigeria from 20 to 23 February at the invitation of the Nigerian government, Nigeria’s Health Minister, Prof. Adenike Grange announced at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday.

Accompanied by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo, the visit will provide Dr Chan an opportunity to discuss the main challenges and needs in the health sector in the country, and to strengthen technical cooperation between WHO and Nigeria.