Lesotho recently completed a training session on the development of a National business continuity plan for the country, which was followed by the development of a draft plan. Present at the training were the International Health Regulations Manager Mr Khotso Mahomo, Chief Executive Disaster Management Authority „Mé Mojaki, StratMan Consultants, Government Officials and Representatives from non-governmental organizations. Dr. Mufunda, WHO Representative, opened the training session, which took place over 3 days.

The Director of programs PEPFAR (The United States President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief), Madam Marie F. Mc LEOD, and representatives of the United Nations systems, bilateral and multilateral partners involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS held a working session at the WHO Country office on February 5, 2013.

This meeting was part of the activities to be performed by the PEPFAR Program’s Director in order to oversee the results and impact obtained through their support.

7 February 2013 – Nine months after starting work in Bor State hospital, WHO has handed over a fully-equipped maternity ward to Jonglei State health authorities. The new ward, built by WHO with funds from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is a 40-bed health facility with modern maternity equipment. The ward comprises two operating theatres, a labour suite, procedure room, emergency room, neonatal unit and eight cubicles each with four beds.

In many countries, medicines are required to go through a national process of quality assurance before their use is authorized – a lengthy, expensive procedure. This feature story describes how ten African countries have joined a WHO initiative that aims to speed up access to medicines and develop local expertise in medicines’ regulation.

WHO Regional Director for Africa underscores the need to work to further the aims and objectives of the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

About this issue...

The WHO country office produces a monthly newsletter to share information on what the country office does to support the national health sector agenda, in line with the country cooperation strategy. 

The Kingdom of Lesotho launched its National Cervical Cancer Screening Program on the 30th January 2013 at Sankatana Centre of Excellence in Maseru, with the assistance of the American People, through funding from the United States for International Development (USAID), and in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and EGPAF. The inauguration also celebrated a very important day which is celebrated every year on the 04th February, World Cancer Day, under the theme of “Know the fact about Cancer”.

Sierra Leone launched the first round 2013 polio immunization campaign on 24 January 2013 in Moyamba District. This was integrated with the Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) Campaign The event was launched by Dr Abu Bakarr Fofanah, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation (MoHS). In his address Dr Fofanah stated that scaling up of maternal and child health services is a high priority on the government’s agenda. He urged the full participation of stakeholders for a successful outcome of the campaign.

Sierra Leone will conduct first round 2013 Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) Campaign from 24-28 January 2013. Preparations for the campaign are underway. Trainings/orientations were done for Civil Soci-ety Organizations (CSOs), Independent Monitors (IM), National Super-visors, Zonal and District Teams. The media have also been briefed for awareness raising and social mobilizations activities including street to street announcements are ongoing. Trainings of vaccinators/distributors commenced on 22 and will end 23 January in all the districts.

The Ministry of Health conducted a two day consultative meeting to review three documents that are aimed at revitalizing Primary Health Care from the 05th to 06th December 2012.The documents include the Primary Health Care Strategy, Community Health Worker policy and Ministry of Health supervision policy. The Director General of Health Services, Dr. Moteetee in the Ministry of Health opened the workshop. State functionaries, UN agencies, other development partners, and health implementing partners attended this consultative meeting.