WHO/AFRO-UK high-level delegation starts visit to Ethiopia

WHO/AFRO-UK High Level delegates started their visit in Ethiopia
A high level joint WHO/AFRO-UK delegation has been visiting Ethiopia since 20 February 2018. The delegation is led by Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa and Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England. Dr Moeti and Dame Sally Davies are accompanied by senior officials from DFID, the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and senior officials of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO).

WHO and GAVI Alliance Partners along with the Ministry of Health strategizes to vaccinate over 485 000 children under one year of age in 2018

Honorable Dr Riek Gai Kok, Minister of Health addressing the delegates during Joint Appraisal meeting

Despite widespread conflict and insecurity, South Sudan has witnessed a remarkable improvement in routine vaccination coverage in 2017. Since the introduction of the pentavalent – or five-in-one vaccine for infants that combines five antigens, namely: Diphtheria; Pertussis; Tetanus; Hepatitis B (HB) and Haemophilus influenza type b, the country raised pentavalent vaccine coverage from 45% in 2016 to 57% in 2017.

Amid insecurity, WHO scaling up routine immunization coverage in South Sudan

Mr Abdulaziz Gwarzo EPI consultant training vaccinators during the phase II meningitis campaign

Amid widespread conflict where over 1.9 million people displaced due to insecurity, ensuring all children receive life-saving vaccines can be a challenge.

To strengthen and increase routine immunization coverage in conflict affected areas, WHO conducted multiple service delivery activities including accelerated outreach, measles follow-up campaign and phase II of the meningitis campaign in the conflict affected states of Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile to reduce the risk of vaccine preventable diseases including measles and meningitis outbreaks.

WHO leads and conducts “Health in All Policies” workshop in Gauteng Province Research and Innovation Summit

WHO Country Representative in South Africa, Dr Rufaro Chatora, presenting on “Sustainable development goals: where are we?”
As part of ongoing initiatives and programmes to provide integrated people centred health services, South Africa’s Gauteng Department of Health held an inaugural provincial Summit titled Research and Innovation Summit at Birchwood, Johannesburg. Themed “Evidence and innovation for long and healthy lives: confronting risks and unlocking the potentials”, the summit: 1. Created a learning opportunity that brought together the WHO, academia, administrators, students, community representatives, oversight bodies, lawmakers, health service providers, exhibitors and leaders from across the province and international participants. 2. Promoted and strengthened the state of translational research and health system strengthening as well as patient safety in the Province. 3. Encouraged researchers, practitioners and managers to use research outcomes for evidence based planning and sharing strategies and innovations to improve health systems performance.

Rwanda Immunization success story

HPV Vaccination

Context and Issue

• Rwanda suffered a catastrophic genocide against the Tutsis in 1994
• This disaster and the ensuing war resulted in total disruption of the country’s health system including immunization service delivery.
• Following this incident, the national immunization coverage was very low (less than 30% in 1995) and incidence of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) was high (e.g 28,000 measles cases in 1995);
• Only 6 traditional vaccines were provided in routine immunization programme in 1994.

WHO contribution

WHO and the health cluster support the response to the suspected food poisoning in Bor South County in South Sudan

IMS team meeting reviewing the response

Juba, 19 February 2018 –  Following an alert of suspected food poisoning on 18 February 2018, where one community death and an influx of over 400 patients were admitted at Bor State Hospital, and several others in private facilities within Bor town, WHO and the health cluster quickly mounted a response to support the Ministry of Health to treat those who were admitted.

WHO supports Borno state to reach 13 500 households with health messages that save lives

Community Health Champion educating household members on the common household diseases and preventive measures. Photo WHO NOA, Borno state.

Maiduguri, 16 February 2018 - With multiple disease outbreaks looming in north-east Nigeria, World Health Organization (WHO) recently partnered with the Borno State Ministry of Health and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to reach 13 500 households and shared key messages on health to save lives.

The goal of the house-to-house outreach effort was to share practical health messages on ensuring children receive routine vaccinations, along with guidance on preventing the spread of certain diseases endemic to the area and best practices for hygiene.