WHO supports Government of Uganda to develop a National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS)

Participants in a group discussion

The Ministry of Health with support from World Health Organization (WHO) convened a five-day meeting to develop a National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) for Uganda.  The development of the NAPHS comes after a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of Uganda’s readiness to readiness to respond to public health emergencies, which was done in May 2017 by WHO and other partners.

One year into emergency response, WHO evaluates operations in Northeastern Nigeria.

Dr Alemu during field visit to access humanitarian response in Borno state

One year after the internal declaration of Grade 3 emergency on the northeastern Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) is conducting a comprehensive review of its humanitarian response to address health needs of nearly six million people. WHO declared the Grade 3 humanitarian crisis in Northeastern Nigeria in August 2016 in accordance with standard Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) criteria to reduce avoidable mortality and morbidity through provision of life saving essential health services in the affected region. 

Zimbabwe successfully hosts RC 67

WCO Group photo with DG
Zimbabwe played host to the 67th Regional Committee Meeting (RC67) of the WHO African Region from 25th Aug.—1st September. The meeting, which was held at Elephant Hills Hotel in the resort town of Victoria Falls, was de-scribed by many participants as “one of the best RCs,” and “highly successful.” Victoria Falls town is home to the “Victoria Falls” also known as "Mosi oa-Tunya" ("the smoke that thunders") which is positioned almost exactly half way along the mighty Zambezi River's 2700 km journey from it's source to the sea. Here the river plunges headlong into a 100m vertical chasm spanning the full one-and-a-half kilometre width of the river creating the biggest curtain of falling water in the world and also one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Par-ticipants to the meeting enjoyed visits to the falls and the rainforest.

Integrated Measles and EOS campaign protects 2.6 million children in Ethiopia’s Somali Region

A child after geting Measles vaccination at Aroreys woreda of Ethiopia Somali regio
Measles is a highly infectious vaccine-preventable disease. While children that are not immunized are at risk, those that are also malnourished or are already affected by other diseases are especially susceptible to it. Children in countries and districts where there is an ongoing emergency such as the current drought which has led to water scarcity and food insecurity in the Horn of Africa are therefore more at risk of contracting the virus and developing complications that often lead to disability and even death.

WHO Intensifies Efforts to Contain Cholera Outbreak in Borno State

Mobile health team sensitizing family members on cholera prevention methods. Photocredit: WHO/CE.Onuekwe

Maiduguri, 08 September 2017-With more than 1000 suspected and confirmed cases of cholera including 30 deaths in Borno state as of 07 Sept 2017, World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified its response efforts to contain the outbreak in Muna internally displaced persons (IDPs)camp in Maiduguri, Jere, Monguno and Dikwa local government areas (LGAs).

 

Rapatriement de burundais de la Tanzanie: un accueil chaleureux

L'arrivée des ex-réfugiés à leur arrivée à Ruyigi en début d'après-midi

Plus de 300 burundais, ex-réfugiés en Tanzanie ont décidé de rentrer chez ce jeudi 7 septembre 2017. Ce sont au total 97 familles qui ont donc amorcé le chemin du retour et ont rejoint leur pays accueilli par les autorités venues du niveau national et régional.

South Sudan launches the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN)

Dr Riek Gai Kok, the Honorable Minister of Health is ready to take Ivermectin tablets administered by WHO NTD Program manager at the Freedom Square Ground in Tonj State. Photo WHO.

Juba, 8 September 2017: The Ministry of Health (MOH) with support from the World Health Organization and partners last month launched the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected tropical diseases (ESPEN) and Mass Drugs Administration (MDA) to effectively tackle the NTDs targeted for elimination. NTDs have affected over 6 million people living in South Sudan. 

WHO and the Carter Center supports the cash reward programme for reporting of Guinea Worm Disease in Tonj State, South Sudan

Mr Evans Liyosi, WHO South Sudan Representative a.i. addressing the community on the Cash Reward programme for reporting of Guinea Worm Disease in Tonj State. Photo WHO.

5 September 2017, Tonj State, South Sudan– the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Carter Center has launched the Cash Reward programme for reporting of Guinea Worm Disease in Tonj State on 3 August 2017.   
As one of the neglected tropical diseases, Guinea Worm disease which had been known for centuries will be the first parasitological disease to be eradicated in the world. 

WHO deploys Polio personnel to forestall disease outbreaks in Benue state communities affected by floods.

Submerged houses in Achusa settlement of Makurdi

Makurdi, 07 September 2017 - “Sunday the 27 of August is not a day I will forget in a hurry. It was as if the heavens opened their doors and it did not only rain, it poured. Visibility was bad and with the torrential rains, houses shook, roof tops gave way and before you knew it, we were outside in the rain and no where to go,” says Mrs. Theresa Ityokyaan a resident of Makurdi.