Africa faces steepest COVID-19 surge yet

Africa faces steepest COVID-19 surge yet
Africa is facing a fast-surging third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, with cases spreading more rapidly and projected to soon overtake the peak of the second wave the continent witnessed at the start of 2021.

Ghana launches 2021 World Food Safety Day

Presentation by WHO Ghana Country Representative, Dr Francis Kasolo at the function

On 7 June 2021, Ghana joined the rest of the world in commemorating 2021 World Food Safety Day which aims to draw attention to food borne risks and encourage the practice of food safety standards to help prevent, detect and manage food borne diseases. The day was celebrated in Accra under the theme: ‘Safe Food Now for a Healthy Tomorrow’. 

WHO Supports the cholera vaccination campaign in Zambia’s hot spot districts as the country accelerates its efforts to eliminate the deadly disease

OCV vaccination

Although Cholera is a preventable disease, it remains a significant public health problem globally. Each year, there are 1.3 to 4.0 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide. Zambia has experienced cholera outbreaks since 1977 and the country’s last major outbreak lasted from October 2017 to June 2018 with a total of 5,935 reported cases and 114 deaths. The risk factors mainly include inadequate access to clean and safe water, poor sanitation facilities, poor solid waste management and consumption of contaminated food.

Signing Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme Bill into law-WHO Representative commends Governor for honouring pledge

Governor Wike _right welcoming the WR, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo to Rivers State Government House. Photo credit_ WHO_Ogbeidee

Abuja, 22nd June, 2021 - The World Health Organization Country Representative (WR) Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo has commended His Excellency, Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on signing the Contributory Health Protection Programme Bill into law.

A statement issued by Special Assistant to the Governor on Media Kelvin Ebiri, indicated that, the Governor, who signed the bill into law at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on 21 June 2021, said with the law, residents and people of the state who want health insurance could now participate in the scheme.

Vaccination boosts Sierra Leone’s Ebola prevention

Vaccination boosts Sierra Leone’s Ebola prevention
Freetown – While the 2014–2016 deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa devastated lives and wrecked health services, it also offered pivotal lessons in outbreak control by stoking swift and more effective response as well as driving progress in vaccines and therapeutics.

Ebola outbreak in Guinea declared over

Ebola outbreak in Guinea declared over
The Ebola outbreak that emerged in Guinea in mid-February was declared over today. It was the first time the disease resurfaced in the country since the deadly outbreak in West Africa that ended in 2016.

WHO Demonstrates Commitment in supporting COVID-19 Response and Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness in Liberia

Donation of IPC and laboratory supplies by WHO to the Ministry of Health in Monrovia
The World Health Organization (WHO) on 16th June 2021 delivered a huge consignment of Infection Prevention Control (IPC) supplies and laboratory diagnostic kits to the Ministry of Health in Monrovia to strengthen the response to COVID-19 and improve preparedness to EVD. The supplies donated included diagnostic kits for COVID-19 and supplies for IPC in health facilities.

The President of the Republic of Mauritius discussed COVID-19 Vaccination Programme with the WHO Representative in Mauritius

Dr Laurent Musango, WHO Representative in Mauritius discussing WHO support to the country with His Excellency Mr Prithivirajsing Roopun, the President of the Republic of Mauritius
His Excellency Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, the President of the Republic of Mauritius met Dr Laurent Musango, the WHO Representative in Mauritius on 17 June 2021 to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination programme in the country.    It was an opportunity for the WHO to update the President on the country’s latest Situation Report and how WHO is supporting the country to fight the pandemic.  Dr L. Musango informed the President that a total number of 1,105 local cases have been confirmed since the second wave, with a first case registered on 5 March 2021.  The country was COVID-safe for several weeks due the measures taken by the Government of Mauritius to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 said the WHO Representative.

WHO awards Ethiopian official Ms Heran Gerba in honor of her fight for tobacco control

WHO awards Ethiopian Official, Ms Heran Gerba in honor of her fight for tobacco control

Addis Ababa - Ms. Heran Gerba, Director General (DG), Ethiopia Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) has received the 2021 World No Tobacco Day Award today for her efforts in tobacco control through her leadership role at FDA.

In a ceremony organized today, WHO Ethiopia handed over the award to Ms Heran, which includes a medal and certificate of recognition signed by the WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom.

Ms Heran is one of the six awardees selected for this year from the WHO Africa region.