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.

COVID-19 cases surge in Africa, near first wave peak

COVID-19 cases surge in Africa, near first wave peak
COVID-19 cases in Africa are surging by over 20% week-on-week as the continent's third wave gains pace and nears the first wave peak of more than 120 000 weekly cases recorded in July 2020, new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows. 

Nigeria commemorates 2021 World Blood Donor Day, targets voluntary donations 

(L-R) Mr Tayo Hamzat, the female highest Donor Barrister Hajara, Representative of Minister of Health, highest male donor, Nathan Akpan, and officials of FMOH

Abuja, 16 June, 2021 - Nigerians are encouraged to become voluntary non-remunerated blood donors, as data indicate that less than 5% of all blood donation in Nigeria come from voluntary unpaid donors. 

Speaking at a Press briefing to mark 2021 World Blood Donor Day in Abuja, with the theme, “Give blood and keep the world-beating”, Nigeria’s Minister of Health highlighted the essential contribution that voluntary unpaid blood donation makes, to keep the world pulsating by saving more lives and improving others’ health.

Donation of blood saves lives, but only a few Nigerians are voluntary non-remunerated donors

Blood products collected from donors - photo credit

Abuja, 15 June, 2021 - "I am a regular blood donor. I usually donate blood at least three times a year. However, in 2020, I donated once - in February - due to the pandemic and lockdown. During the lockdown, I received several reminders from the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) Abuja, where I usually donate, but the fear of covid-19 prevented me from donating. However, I plan to resume donating again”, says Adebowale Adedigba, a voluntary non-remunerated blood donor.