Ethiopia passes landmark smoking excise bill

Man smoking a cigarette
The Ethiopian Parliament has passed landmark legislation with the express aim of curbing smoking in the country.  As a result of the legislation, Ethiopia has now introduced a mixed-excise system on cigarettes in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).  This involves a 30% tax rate of the cost of producing cigarettes, in addition to a specific excise rate of eight Ethiopian Birr (ETB) (USD$ 0.25) on each individual packet.

Empowering Health Workers on Child Growth Assessment

Mr Christopher Raboude, Nutritionist, Rodrigues Island, receiving the Certificate of Participation from Mrs Aryamah Doomun, Chief Nutritionist. In the background, Dr I. Nawoor, Ag Director Health Services, Dr L. Musango, WHO Representative in Mauritius and Dr H. Bekele, Nutrition Advisor, WHO IST/ESA
Nutritionists, Public Health Nursing Officers, Nursing Officers, Chief and Principal Midwives and Health Care Assistants in the Republic of Mauritius have been empowered during a Training of Facilitators on child growth assessment and WHO Child Growth Standard from 10-13 February 2020 at Gold Crest, Quatre Bornes. The main objective of the training was to empower health workers on growth assessment using additional indicators, data analysis and reporting of anthropometric data in the context of strengthening the National Nutrition Surveillance System in Mauritius and Rodrigues.  This important capacity building workshop was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in collaboration with the World Health Organization in response to the need to have a holistic information system that can continuously collect, analyze and interpret data related to nutrition.  Dr Hana Bekele, Nutrition Advisor from the WHO Regional Office for Africa/Intercountry Support Team for East and Southern Africa (IST/ESA), facilitated the training.

New WHO Representative to South Africa, Dr Owen Kaluwa, presents his credentials

Dr Owen Kaluwa, the World Health Organization Representative in South Africa presenting his credentials to the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini.
Dr Owen Kaluwa, the new World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in South Africa presented his credentials to the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, today. Welcoming Dr Kaluwa to South Africa, the Deputy Minister, expressed her appreciation of WHO’s quality of deployments- presenting with vast experience that matches the needs of the Country particularly in advancing ‘Health for All’. According to the Deputy Minister, South Africa has tried its best to comply with WHO recommendations in terms of the Health Infrastructure, Communicable Diseases Control, and Joint Cross Border Health issues among others. She is, therefore, looking forward to Dr Kaluwa’s support in strengthening South Africa’s efforts in addressing these and other emerging health challenges.

Rwanda Cancer Centre inaugurated on the World Cancer Day 2020 by President Paul Kagame

His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda speech in the launching ceremony of the Rwanda Cancer Centre

On World Cancer Day celebration 04/02/2020, Rwanda inaugurated the up to date Cancer Centre equipped with Radiotherapy.  His Excellency President Paul Kagame spoke on the important role the new centre will play in the lives of patients living with cancer, “now, many more Rwandans will be able to get the care they need with their families close by”, he said.

Uganda’s Ministry of Health Receives Equipment Worth Nine Million Dollars

The Prime Minister Rt Honorable Ruhakana Rugunda flanked by Dr Jane Ruth Aceng flags off the cold chain and transport equipment at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala

Kampala, 10 February 2020- The Ministry of Health received cold chain and transport equipment worth nine million dollars procured through United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) with support from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). The equipment included 657 motorcycles, 996 solar fridges, 10 generators, vaccine carriers and cold boxes.