Juba, 6 September 2018 – In the aftermath of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that started in North Kivu province, on 1 August 2018 and the threat of cross-border spread, South Sudan has heightened its preparedness and response activities.

Ethiopia had secured recently the Biosafety mobile laboratory-level three (BSL-3). This laboratory is intended to manipulate highly infectious agents occurred as an outbreak while reducing the risk to laboratory workers and the environment. The Mobile -Biosafety Level -3 Lab is found in Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) compound as permanent base and it would be functional to work on any highly infectious pathogen outbreak detection.

Maiduguri, 6 September 2018 - The World Health Organization (WHO) is deploying personnel, treatment kits, laboratory equipment as well as infection prevention and control supplies to prevent further fatalities due to another wave of cholera outbreak in Borno state. With the laboratory confirmation of samples of suspected cholera cases sent to the National Reference Laboratory Abuja, the Borno Ministry of Health on 06 September 2018 officially declared an outbreak of cholera in the state. 

In July this year, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) in collaboration with the World Health Organization commenced a countrywide strategic leadership and management training for health authorities in all the districts in Sierra Leone. Trained in cohorts, 97 MoHS officials with governance, leadership and managerial responsibilities at the district hospitals and District Health Management Teams (DHMT) have been trained so far.

Nebbi, 5 September 2018:- The Government of Uganda launched the national Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) preventative campaign targeting over 1,600,000 persons aged above one year in the 11 cholera hot-spot districts.

The campaign is aimed at preventing and controlling Cholera in the hot-spot districts including Arua, Buliisa, Busia, Hoima, Kasese, Moyo, Namayingo, Nebbi, Ntoroko, Pakwach and Zombo. It will be conducted in a phased manner as part of the National Cholera Control Plan (2017-2022).

Gaborone, Botswana - 24 August 2018: Botswana conducted an integrated review of the Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) in 2015.  The review was conducted when a number of policy and strategic plans documents for most the RMNCAH-N progress were coming to an end including that of adolescent health.  The results of the review and other program specific evaluations revealed a number of gaps, for example, insufficient number of health workers competent on ASRH programs; limited operating hours with facilities closing

Abuja, 4 September, 2018 - Ground-breaking new research is assessing the factors that prevent young people from accessing health services in Nigeria. Funded by WHO through UK Aid from the UK Government, the research will aim to strengthen efforts to reach some of the most disadvantaged youth with healthcare, and inform an ambitious new Adolescent Health Policy and implementation plan in Nigeria. 

Victoria, Seychelles, 3 September 2018 - The United Nations and the Seychelles Government has signed a Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF) which consolidate their commitment to support the country’s effort to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the year 2030. It was the visiting UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP resident representative for Mauritius and Seychelles Mrs.