African Health Ministers urge greater vigilance in COVID-19 fight

African Health Ministers urge greater vigilance in COVID-19 fight
African Health Ministers gathering for the resumed Seventieth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa took stock this week of the region’s efforts in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, with calls to step up vigilance and head off a possible resurgence of infections.

Sierra Leone concludes World Antimicrobial Awareness Week with a scientific seminar

Human, animal and plant health scientists, government officials and partners at the event
“Antimicrobial resistance is not only a global public health concern but also a developmental challenge costing the world $10 trillion dollars, while killing 700,000 people each year and is projected to kill 10 million by 2050 if urgent action is not taken” says Dr. Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara, AMR Operational Research Fellow and member of the WHO IPC Team, at the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week scientific meeting held on 24th November 2020 in Freetown.

South Sudan vaccinates over 690 000 children against measles in 25 counties

South Sudan vaccinates over 690 000 children against measles in 25 counties

Juba, 24 November 2020 – Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the second phase of the measles follow up campaign commenced on 15 November 2020 to vaccinate over 690 000 children aged 6 – 59 months against measles to ensure the continuation of immunization activities.

The campaign is organized and led by the Ministry of Health with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, UNICEF and other partners, are part of the efforts to ensure immunization stays in the forefront of primary health care to protect children and future generations.  

Update COVID-19 23 November 2020

COVID_19 Update Rwanda

23 November 2020 — Sixty-one (61) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 2084 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to five thousand, seven hundred, and twenty-six (5726). To date, five thousand, one hundred, and ninety-seven (5197) patients have recovered, including thirty-three (33) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is four hundred and eighty-two (482) and forty-seven (47) deaths. 

Strengthening Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Schools through School Health Clubs

Members and patrons of Public and Private School Health Clubs were sensitized on prevention and control of COVID-19 from 03 to 09 November 2020 in the four educational zones. This activity was organized by the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the World Health Organization with the support of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. Evidence-based information and facts about COVID-19 were shared to the trainees to help reducing the students’ fears and anxieties around the disease and support their ability to cope with any secondary impacts in their lives.   It was also an opportunity to build the capacity of the school health clubs members and patrons to strengthen their knowledge and skills on basic microbiology, COVID-19, Infection Prevention and Control , standard precautions regarding hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene, the concept of social distancing and the importance of wearing Personal Protection Equipment including face mask, face shield, gloves and goggles. 

Knowledge brokering platform launched to support health systems in the African region

Knowledge brokering platform launched to support health systems in the African region

Brazzaville, 23 November 2020 – The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners launched an online platform today to promote the exchange of evidence and experience across countries in the African region. By working to foster evidence-informed decision-making in an endeavor to re-engineer health service delivery, the initiative is expected to drive countries’ health system resilience efforts.

Update COVID-19 22 November 2020

COVID_19 Update Rwanda

22 November 2020 — Forty-five (45) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 2541 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to five thousand, six hundred, and sixty-five (5665). To date, five thousand, one hundred, and sixty-four (5164) patients have recovered, including one (1) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is four hundred and fifty-four (454) and forty-seven (47) deaths. The new death is a man Rwandan of 32 years old in Kigali.

Update COVID-19 21 November 2020

COVID_19 Update Rwanda

21 November 2020 — Thirty-four (34) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 3916 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to five thousand, six hundred, and twenty (5620). To date, five thousand, one hundred, and sixty-three (5163) patients have recovered, including twenty-two (4) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is three hundred and eighty-one (381) and forty-six (46) deaths.