1. WHO Africa

Infographics

Heroes from the Namibian COVID health front-line: An epidemiologist’s narrative

With contemporary times calling them disease detectives, epidemiologists play a central role in investigating patterns and causes of disease in humans. “In the context of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), as epidemiologists our focus lies in reducing the risk and occurrence  of negative health outcomes through research, community education and health policy”, says Hilary Kagume Njenge, a Kenyan epidemiologist employed by the World Health Organisation emergency hub for east and southern Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. 

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Update COVID-19 13 August 2020

13 August 2020 — Eleven (11) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 4756 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to two thousand and two hundred (2200). To date, one thousand, five hundred and fifty-eight (1558) patients have recovered and been discharged, including thirty-four (34) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is six hundred and sixty-four (634) and eight (8) deaths.

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Africa marks six months of COVID-19

Africa marks six months on 14 August since COVID-19 was first detected on the continent. While the virus has raced through many other regions of the world, the pandemic’s evolution on the African continent has been different.
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Update COVID-19 12 August 2020

12 August 2020 — Eighteen (18) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 4886 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to two thousand, one hundred and eighty-nine (2189). To date, one thousand, five hundred and twenty-four (1524) patients have recovered and been discharged, including forty-six (46) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is six hundred and fifty-seven (657) and eight (8) deaths. The new death is a male of 37 years old in Kigali.

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Launching of Mauritius National Health Sector Strategic Plan by Prime Minister

Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth launched the National Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) 2020-2024 on 12 August 2020 at the Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebene, Mauritius in the presence of eminent personalities including Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. S. Obeegadoo, Dr Hon. Kailash Kumar Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Hon A. Husnoo, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Hon. N. Bodha, Minister of Foreign Affairs and other Private Parliament Secretary members. Dr Laurent Musango, WHO Representative in Mauritius, Mrs Christine Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator and representative of European Union also attended the launching ceremony. During his key note address, Hon. P. K. Jugnauth, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius acknowledged the ‘able guidance of WHO’ in developing this first five year national health sector strategic plan which will enable the Government of Mauritius “to turn into reality its vision of a healthy nation”.
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Update COVID-19 11 August 2020

11 August 2020 — Nineteen (19) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 5153 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to two thousand, one hundred and seventy-one (2171). To date, one thousand, four hundred and seventy-eight (1478) patients have recovered and been discharged, including eighty-six (86) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is six hundred and eighty-six (686) and seven (7) deaths.

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Let’s support mothers to breastfeed as long as they want- First Lady of Ghana advoca...

The First lady of the Republic of Ghana, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo has called on all to take key steps to address the practical, economic and socio-cultural barriers that still stand in the way of women breastfeeding and work together to enable mothers to breastfeed for as long as they wish to protect all babies from commercial interests. 
The first lady said this during the virtual launch of this year's World Breastfeeding Week and under the theme “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”.

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Promoting and Protecting Breastfeeding for a better start in Life

Mauritius marked World Breastfeeding Week 2020 by an official ceremony performed by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Hon. Kailash Jagutpal on 06 August 2020 at the Victoria Hospital, Candos. In line with this year’s theme, the country aims at creating awareness among young people on the importance of breast feeding and its positive contribution to a healthier planet. During the opening of the official ceremony, Dr Hon. Kailash Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness, emphasized breastfeeding as key to all of the United Nations SDGs.  “Breastfeeding is directly linked to goal 3 on greater health and wellbeing and can also be aligned with Goal 4 on Education”, stated Dr Hon K. Jagutpal.  He added that mothers should be sensitized on the entire benefits of breastfeeding, including improving the cognitive ability of the child which is conducive to better learning outcomes.  “Breastfed babies are healthier and they are less likely to need excessive medical attention as they grow", said the Health Minister.  “The optimum use of energy and less waste to our landfills has a direct bearing on our commitment to curb down global pollution trends. This is reminiscent of Goal 12 of the SDG as it contributes to the health of our planet”, highlighted the Health Minister. WHO Representative in Mauritius, Dr Laurent Musango during his address, advocated for the setting up of a "National Breastfeeding Promotion and Protection Committee" as recommended in the National Roadmap/Framework to improve Maternal Newborn Child Health published in November 2019.  
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Update COVID-19 10 August 2020

10 August 2020 — Twelve (12) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 5720 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to two thousand, one hundred and fifty-two (2152). To date, one thousand, three hundred and ninety-two (1392) patients have recovered and been discharged, including forty-six (46) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is eight hundred and fifty-three (753) and seven (7) deaths.

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