Uganda on the right path to achieving Universal Health Coverage

Hon Aceng and Dr Tegegn address the media after the breakfast meeting

6 April 2018, Kampala:- Uganda is slowly but surely moving toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) which is the cornerstone for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 3 on the global development agenda.  This was the consensus from participants at a high-level breakfast meeting hosted by the World Health Organization Country Office in commemoration of World Health Day 2018 which also marks the 70th birthday of the organization. 

University of Botswana's School of Nursing re-designated a WHO Collaborating Centre

The WHO and the UB Teams after the ceremony, with the Vice Chancellor holding a document

Gaborone, Botswana - 29 March 2018: The University of Botswana (UB) School of Nursing, which has been a WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Development (WHOCC) since 1990, has been re-designated with expanded terms of reference for another 4 years. The re-designation occurred after a visit by a WHO AFRO/HQ assessment team visited the centre in conjunction with the WHO country office. The team also held discussions with the Ministry of Health and Wellness in terms of the centre’s potential contribution to health and development in Botswana.

Rwanda conducted initial self­- evaluation on International Health Regulations(IHR)

Opening Ceremony, Dr Innocent Turate, Head of Department IHDPC, RBC

The Ministry of Health with WHO support organized from 12 to 16 March 2018, a multisectoral workshop on the initial self-evaluation of IHR using the Joint External Evaluation(JEE) tool.

The workshop was opened by Dr Innocent Turate, Head of Department of IHDPC/RBC, who reminded participants that this workshop is a key step for the strategy to achieve the SDG n° 3.d focusing on international public health threats prevention and control.

Improving TB treatment and control in West and Central Africa

Group picture of the meeting participants
The search for innovative and effective ways of tackling tuberculosis (TB) in the African Region is gaining momentum. TB experts from West and Central African countries are meeting in Cotonou, Benin to share best practices and lessons learnt in Tuberculosis case finding and treatment. The meeting brings together National Tuberculosis Programme Managers, TB experts, partners and representatives of civil societies to agree on ways to prevent, and control tuberculosis in the sub-regions. The meeting is part of a collaborative initiative between several institutions among whom are The Global Fund to fight Aids, TB and Malaria, WHO, Stop TB partnership, The Union, Damian Foundation, USAID, and the West African Regional Network for Tuberculosis control (WARN-TB). 

Uganda to prioritize awareness creation and treatment of MDR-TB

A TB patient receives treatment drugs from the Minister of Health on Sarah Opendi as other health workers look on

Maureen (not real name), an HIV+ mother of two, is a Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) survivor. Her story is similar to many other TB patients who have contracted TB unknowingly. Maureen contracted Tuberculosis (TB) in 2013 while on a bus from Arua to Kampala. “A man seated behind me, in the bus coughed so hard, and the smell of his breath was so bad,” she narrates.

Experts accede to impressive progress by Nigeria’s Polio Eradication programme.

Prof. Tomori (2nd from the Right) Chairman and members of 35th ERC.

Abuja, 28 March 2018 - The 35th Expert Review Committee for Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization (ERC) has expressed optimism that the Nigerian programme is on course to achieving polio eradication with ‘impressive progress’ recorded. The ERC meets periodically to evaluate progress towards the attainment of a polio-free Nigeria. The monitoring body provides guidance to the government and partners.