Kenya, WHO launch bold initiative to transform Africa’s health emergency response

Kenya, WHO launch bold initiative to transform Africa’s health emergency response

Brazzaville/Nairobi – The Government of Kenya and the World Health Organization (WHO) held a ground-breaking ceremony today in Nairobi for a WHO Health Emergency Hub, which will include a Centre of Excellence for the Health Emergency Workforce, laying the cornerstone for a wider initiative that aims to change the way the continent handles emergencies.

 “I am a threat to tobacco”-Advocate 

Mrs Margaret Kwaada Julius receiving the tobacco control

Abuja, 8 July, 2022 - In 2009, Mrs. Margaret Kwaada Julius, a 47-year-old grandmother became a tobacco advocate by chance. Stumbling on the information that, “tobacco kills half its users’’ further reinforced her resolve to dedicate quality time to sensitizing people on the harmful effects of the deadly substance on health and the environment. 

Presently she says, “I am a threat to tobacco.”  

Ondo bolsters vaccination coverage with targeted intervention

Ondo bolsters vaccination coverage with targeted intervention

Ondo, 8 July, 2022 - In a bid to shore up vaccination coverage and give eligible children second chance to be fully vaccinated, WHO is working with Ondo State to implement targeted interventions with the aim of reducing missed opportunities for vaccination (MOV).

 ‘I was given this coupon after I delivered my baby in a private facility, my baby has now received vaccines preventing tuberculosis, hepatitis B and polio”, says  Mrs. Elizabeth Adeniran

Tanzania welcomes Ted Chaiban

Ted Chaiban with the Minister for Health and WHO Country Representative at the Trade Fair in Dar es Salaam
The Global Lead Coordinator for COVID19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership (CoVDP), UN Assistant Secretary-General Mr. Ted Chaiban, arrived in Tanzania on 4th July 2022 for a four-day official visit. Accompanied by the Acting WHO Country Representative, Dr. Zabulon Yoti and UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Shalini Bahughuna; Mr. Chaiban participated in joint high-level advocacy meetings with key government officials including the Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ambassador Liberata Mulamula; Heads of UN Agencies and Development Partners in Dar es Salaam.

Southern Africa in fresh vaccination drive to halt wild polio

Southern Africa in fresh vaccination drive to halt wild polio
Mozambique today kicked off the third round of vaccination against wild poliovirus type 1 as southern Africa countries launch a further drive to protect all under 5 children and halt the debilitating virus from spreading. Neighbouring Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia will also embark on the third phase of mass vaccination campaigns in the coming weeks.

Ghana reports first-ever suspected cases of Marburg virus disease

Ghana reports first-ever suspected cases of Marburg virus disease
Ghana has announced the preliminary finding of two cases of Marburg virus disease and if confirmed these would the first such infections recorded in the country. Marburg is a highly infectious viral haemorrhagic fever in the same family as the more well-known Ebola virus disease. 

70 trained specialists in Botswana ready to be deployed and intervene in health emergencies

Group session during SURGE training in Botswana

A group of 70 representatives from different governmental agencies and institutions in Botswana were trained between 20 and 29 June 2022 to strengthen their skills and capacities to effectively coordinate emergencies with public health impact using a functional public health emergency operations center (PHEOC) to enable an all-hazards and multisectoral approach.