BANJUL, 27 March 2017 : The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of the Government of the Republic of the Gambia has introduced a new three-year tobacco taxation policy, 2017-2019, following discussions with and capacity building from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Juba, 27 March 2017— The third National Health Summit for South Sudan opened today with some 500 participants coming together to consider the challenges and opportunities of delivering health in South Sudan, and to establish a clear vision for health in the years ahead. 

Organized by the Republic of South Sudan’s Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) is a key organizing partner. The five day event’s theme is “Harnessing Strong Partnerships for a Resilient Health System towards attainment of Universal Health Coverage.” 

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with partners including WHO has finalized a fruitful health week with thousands turning up for different health interventions countrywide. The health week was held between 13th-18th March 2017, and it delivered an integrated package of preventive services known to be highly cost-effective for improving maternal and child health, malaria, HIV, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and malnutrition control interventions. The health week was covered by different media countrywide, print, audio visual, online and community outreach.

23 March 2017, Kampala – The three day annual EPI Managers’ Meeting for East and Southern African (ESA) countries came to a close on 22th March, 2017 in Kampala, Uganda with EPI Managers approving recommendations to refine immunization country plans to improve coverage and equity in immunization and partners renewing commitments to supporting the immunization programme.

Last Friday 24th March 2017 - Rwanda joined the World to celebrate World Tuberculosis day focusing on the young population in Kigali City. The Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) with partners support, including WHO, has employed stringent ways that have caused a significant decline in Tuberculosis incidences in Rwanda.

Addis Ababa, 3 April, 2017 - Ethiopia joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Tuberculosis Day 2017, under the theme “Unite to End TB”. The official launch of the commemorative activities took place at Addis Ababa University, on 24 March, 2017.

22 March 2017: WHO has donated 15 ambulances to support reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) in six counties, Migori, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo and Lamu. WHO is among six UN agencies (UN H6) supporting these counties through an initiative of the UN RMNCH Trust Fund. The objective of the initiative is to strengthen health services for reduction the of maternal and child mortality, in line with the SDG3 targets. The other agencies in the partnership are, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, UNAIDS, and World Bank.

Kanye, Botswana - 24th March 2017: The 2017 National World TB Day was commemorated in Kanye in the Southern part of the country under the theme. “Unite to End TB”. This campaign resonates very well with the Post 2015 TB global End TB strategy and seeks to foster strong stakeholder mobilization, high level advocacy and inclusiveness irrespective of nationality, age, gender or profession. The ceremony was attended by community members and dignitaries including members of parliament.

Abuja, 24 March 2017 - In keeping with the 2017 World Tuberculosis (TB) Day slogan of ‘Accelerating TB Case Finding and Treatment’, Nigeria is scaling up availability of GeneXpert machines country-wide in order to start reversing the country’s unflattering position of having highest burden of TB in Africa.

FREETOWN, 24 March 2017 - On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, the Government of Sierra Leone together with the World Health Organization and CISMAT called for united action to end TB in Sierra Leone, which is one of 30 countries globally with a severe burden of the disease.