Abuja, Nigeria 6th March, 2014 -- The synchronization of immunization activity which lasted from 1st to 4th March 2014 along border settlements between Nigeria and Republic of Niger has been concluded. The activity is widely adjudged as very successful. For instance, between Sokoto State in Nigeria and Tahoua Province in Republic of Niger, 15,137 under-five children were vaccinated on Nigeria side and 16,320 on the Republic of Niger side.

Banjul, 6 March 2014 -- The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Hon. Omar Sey on 26 February 2014, received an assortment of medical equipment and supplies from the WHO Representative, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses. The items, meant for Edward FrancisSmall Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), are worth over 2 million Dalasis.

Kampala, 6th March 2014 -- The Minister of Health Dr Ruhakana Rugunda signed the World Health Organization Programme Budget (2014-2015) for Uganda that seeks to support the Ministry of Health fully implement the Health Sector Strategic and Investment Plan (HSSIP II). The signing signifies agreement and consent for both The Government of Uganda and WHO to work and support areas detailed in progamme document over a period of two years.

Masvingo: 16 March 2014. The National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) conducted a third monitoring and support visit of the Chingwizi relocation camp which houses Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam flood victims. The visit was made at the recommendation of the Inter Agency Coordination Committee on Health (IACCH), with financial and technical support from the Zimbabwe WCO .

Harare, 4 Mar 2014 -- The Government Counselor for External Relations of the Principality of Monaco, M. José Badia and his delegation together with WHO and Ministry of Health and Child Care officials, undertook field visits to Mashonaland West province which has some of the malaria high burden districts. During the first leg of the field visit, the team visited Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, where the key finding was a drastic reduction in the malaria case load.

On 3rd March 2014, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with support from the World Health Organization, held the stakeholders’ meeting introduction of HPV vaccine in Kilimanjaro Region in preparation for the launch of the HPV Demonstration Project. The HPV Demonstration Project aims to demonstrate how the HPV vaccine targeting girls aged 9 to 13 years can be delivered in routine settings while looking at implications on coverage, feasibility, acceptability and cost.

“Ear care can avoid hearing loss” “Make Hearing Matter

Addis Ababa. 28 February 2014 – Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between the FMOH and six training institutions, namely, Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, and Universities of Mekelle, Jimma, Hawassa, Bahir Dar and Haramaya on 21 February 2014 at a Mental Health Forum held in Addis Ababa. The MoUs have formalized the role of the training institutions in the scale up process.

28 February 2014 -- WHO estimates that over 5% of the world’s population – 360 million people - has disabling hearing loss. The highest prevalence is found in the Asia Pacific, South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. About half of all cases of hearing loss worldwide are easily prevented or treated.