Namibia addresses non-communicable diseases

Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Representative delivering his remarks

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, Dr Saara Kuungongelwa-Amadhila, launched the National Strategy on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases recently  in Windhoek.  The Strategy aims to reduce the preventable and avoidable burden of morbidity, mortality and disability due to non-communicable diseases in the country.  

Strategizing Health Policy and Sector Strategy Plan Development in Mauritius through Participatory Approach

Dr. Ann-Lise Guisse from WHO-Headquarters Geneva facilitating the Societal Dialogue Workshop in Mauritius
Synchronizing the different plans in view of linking them with the Mauritius Vision 2030 on Health and Quality of Life, WHO Global Programme of Work (GPW13) and WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) is a priority action to achieve national and global health outcomes, one of which is the reduction in the prevalence of Non-communicable Diseases and their risk factors. As a matter of fact, the prevalence of NCDs mainly diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases has increased over the past four decades. NCDs account for 85% of disease burden and 81% of mortality in 2015 in the country.  In this context, the World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life Mauritius to elaborate two keys policy documents, namely the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) 2019-2023 and the integrated strategy for prevention and control of NCDs disease 2019-2023.  As part of the initiative, the process for establishing “societal dialogue for health” and developing a roadmap was initiated to finalise the action plan for NCDs and Health Sector Strategy.   Dr. Ann-Lise Guisset and Ms. Kira Johanna Koch from WHO-Headquarters Geneva facilitated activities from 20th to 28th August in Mauritius.  Seeking the engagement of all stakeholders, namely patients, families and the community at large was crucial at this stage so that they are placed at the heart of the Health Sector Strategy. The participatory approach for diagnosing HSS challenges to addressing the NCD epidemic opened a window of opportunity to engage in more large scale population participation in developing the new Health Sector Strategy and the integrated NCD Action Plan.  It will ensure inclusiveness and participatory approaches for all stakeholders including Government, Population, Civil society, UN agencies, media, academia, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral agencies involved in health.

Nigeria’s Polio laboratories pass another round of accreditation exercise 

The National Polio Lab in Maiduguri

Abuja, 30 August 2018 - The national Polio laboratories in Maiduguri and Ibadan have successfully passed World Health Organization (WHO) accreditation quality checks. The accreditation of the   laboratories is for the next twelve months, starting from September 2018. 

During the exercise, the Team lead of the Polio accreditation exercise, Dr Gumede-Moeletsi Nelisiwe described the accreditation procedure as a means of monitoring the accuracy and quality of testing in the laboratories. 

WHO and Mercy Ships sign collaborative agreement to strengthen surgical care in Africa

WHO and Mercy Ships sign collaborative agreement to strengthen surgical care in Africa
Efforts to improve surgery and anesthesia services in Africa is gaining momentum following the signing of a collaborative agreement between the World Health Organization in the African Region and Mercy Ships. The agreement aims to increase access to surgical care, and build capacity of health workers to strengthen surgical care delivery systems.

African Health Ministers Endorse Five-Year Plan to Improve Access to Medicines

Dakar/Brazzaville, 29 August 2018 - Ministers of Health from the WHO African Region have endorsed proposals aimed at addressing the shortage of, and access to, medicines and vaccines. The Roadmap for access 2019-2023 - Comprehensive support for access to medicines and vaccines, sets out critical policies, actions and key deliverables to support countries improve access to health products over the next five years.

South Sudan revises its 2007 Essential Medicines List to improve standards and access to Essential Medicines within the health care system

Participants validating the essential medicines list

Juba 27 August 2018 – The Ministry of Health of South Sudan in collaboration with the Health Sector Partners (HSP) and with technical leadership and support from the World Health Organization has validated its 2007 Essential Medicines List.  

This is part of the efforts to improve access to, availability and proper use of essential medicines within the health care system in public and private facilities. 

Stopping Cervical Cancer and other NonCommunicable Diseases in Africa

Honorable Minister of Health Dr Peter Kumpalume, MP speaking to participants at the opening ceremony of the TOT cervical cancer capacity building workshop
As she felt the cold sting of the needle enter her arm, Alice winced in fear more than pain- understandable as she is only 10. However, a moment of pain could save her from the leading cause of cancer death among women in Africa: cervical cancer. She is receiving a vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV), the main gateway agent in cervical cancer.