The Honourable Minister of Health, Prof C.O.Onyebuchi Chukwu, has through the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), hosted a 4-day Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of Malaria Programme managers from 17th – 20th March, with the theme; Sustaining the Push towards Malaria Elimination in Nigeria.

Background

The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first international health treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO and was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2003. It has since become one of the most widely and rapidly embraced treaties in the history of the United Nations, with 176 Parties to date.

The Republic of Sierra Leone ratified the WHO FCTC on 22 May 2009 as the 165th country to do so. The Convention entered into force for Sierra Leone on 20 August 2009.

Cervical cancer is common in women and is responsible for an estimated 530,000 cases and 275,000 deaths yearly globally. The incidence in Sierra Leone is estimated at 670 cases and 466 deaths annually. A comprehensive approach to cervical cancer control includes, immunization of girls ages 9-13 years, screening for precancerous lesions in women and treatment, as well as palliative care for women diagnosed with full blown cervical cancer disease.

Sierra Leone introduced the implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy in 2004 and since then districts are reporting on a weekly basis. However, data collected does not capture information from hospitals.

Background

Micronutrient deficiencies are a common public health challenge affecting all age groups in developing countries. It may lead to adverse health consequences as well as infant and maternal mortality.

Monday 24th March 2014 was world TB Day. World TB Day was designed to commemorate the discovery of the TB causing bacteria, tuberculosis bacillus by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882. Currently, TB is still endemic in many nations around the world and affects 9 million people each year, and kills 1.3 million annually.

30 March 2014 – As of 28 March, the total number of suspected and confirmed cases in the on-going Ebola virus disease outbreak in Guinea has increased to 112, including 70 deaths (Case Fatality Rate 62.5%). New suspected cases have been reported from Conakry (4 cases), Guékédou (4), Macenta (1) and Dabola (1) prefectures.

Today, 24th of March 2014, the African Region joins the global community to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day under the theme - “Reach the three million; Find, Treat, Cure TB”. The theme highlights the suffering that Tuberculosis (TB) continues to exert on people, despite the fact that effective control measures are available.

23 March 2014 - The Ministry of Health (MoH) of Guinea has notified WHO of a rapidly evolving outbreak of Ebola virus disease in forested areas south eastern Guinea. As of 22 March 2014, a total of 49 cases including 29 deaths (case fatality ratio: 59%) had been reported. The cases have been reported in Guekedou, Macenta, Nzerekore and Kissidougou districts. In addition, three suspect cases including two deaths in Conakry are under investigation. Four health care workers are among the victims.