Brazzaville, 20 January 2015 – The World Health Organization (WHO) now recommends the conjugate meningitis A vaccine MenAfriVac® to be introduced in routine immunization schedules in sub-Saharan Africa. This recommendation ensures that infants are protected against meningitis and population-wide immunity is maintained.

Abuja, Nigeria 23 January 2015 - The 29th Expert Review Committee (ERC) is convinced that Nigeria can get out of  WHO’s list of endemic countries with active wild polio virus (WPV) transmission if no WPV is detected for a period of 12 months with  adequate surveillance, since the last case was reported on 24th July, 2014.

Two successive emergency response campaigns in Sierra Leone to distribute anti-malarial drugs to people living in areas affected by the Ebola virus disease outbreak have successfully reached more than 2.5 million people, and significantly reduced the number of people with fever that might be mistaken for Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Bamako, 18 January 2015 - Malian authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the end of the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Mali since 42 days had elapsed after the last Ebola case tested negative in laboratory tests on the 6 December 2014.

Vic. Falls, 16 Jan. 2015  Zimbabwe, which is the Chairperson for Ministers of Health in the SADC Region played host to the belated regional commemoration of SADC Malaria Day in Victoria Falls. The commemoration which brought together SADC Ministers of Health, Roll Back Malaria (RBM) partners, and the Victoria Falls community, was held under the theme “Strong partnerships sustain gains in malaria prevention and control”  and the slogan, “Combining efforts—key to success”.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - 16th January 2015 - The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) in collaboration with the Prime Ministers’ Office, Department of Disaster Management (PMO-DMD) for the first time held the high level sensitization meeting to discuss Ebola Virus Disease country preparedness. The meeting which took place in Dar es Salaam was officiated by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Donan Mmbando and Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Harrison Chinyuka.

Every year, the month January, is marked as safe motherhood month to advocate and mobilize resources for increasing access to quality maternal health services. This year’s theme “No woman should die while giving life” raises awareness on preventable maternal and infant mortality in Ethiopia and advocates for increased deliveries at health facilities. A number of events are taking place throughout January to draw the attention of all Ethiopians to the importance of healthy pregnancy and motherhood.

In recognition of the efforts of the community and the country to save their lives and to cure from Ebola, survivors say they are now ready to accompany the Ebola outbreak response teams in their community to help overcome the resistance, reluctance and halt the ravages of Ebola virus in their prefecture and in Guinea.

Happy to be declared cured from Ebola

The fourth Ethiopian HIV/AIDS Prevention Summit, held in Jigjiga, capital of the Somali Regional state of Ethiopia, 29-30 December 2014, drew attention to the concerning rise in HIV prevalence in the region. HIV prevalence has increased to 1,1% in 2014 from 0,7% in 2011. The national HIV/AIDS prevention summit called for intensified HIV response efforts in the region and the entire country. 

New technology already has achieved dramatic drop in major cause of deadly epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has opened the door to routine immunization of infants in sub-Saharan Africa by approving for use an innovative and affordable vaccine that has all but rid the meningitis belt of a major cause of deadly epidemics.