An outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Uganda’s Kibaale district, about 220 km west of the capital Kampala, in July/August 2012 has affected the lives of many.

Harare, 20 July 2012. This was said by the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera in a joint press conference he held with the WHO Representative for Zimbabwe, Dr Custodia Mandlhate, the UNICEF Representative Dr Peter Salama and the local and international media. This follows some media reports in the days following the National Immunization Days (NIDs) that some children were falling sick after immunization.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) conducted policy dialogue on the first National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy and Strategic Plan (2012-2016) at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown on 17 July 2012.
The event was opened by the Hon. Minister of health and Sanitation, Mrs Zainab Bangura. The participants included representatives of health partners, officials of line ministries and top civil servants.

Addis Ababa, 16 July 2012 – African Heads of State and Government, have endorsed the establishment of the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF), introduced to the 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) by H.E. Sheikh Professor Alhaji, Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of Gambia in the Ethiopian capital yesterday.

Addis Ababa, 15 July 2012 – In a high level meeting chaired by H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia and Chair of African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), delegates including Heads of State and Government, the President of the African Union Commission, the Representative of the UN Secretary General and other high ranking officials, were updated on unprecedented success in scaling up malaria control interventions which resulted in one third reduction of malaria deaths during the last decade in Africa.

Addis Ababa, 14 July 2012 --The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, has commended the commitment and actions being taken by Heads of State and Government Action Committee to revitalize and expand AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) for stronger leadership and resource mobilization. The statement was made in a meeting officially opened by H.E. Dr. Boni Yayi, President of Benin, Chairperson of AU and Chairperson of AIDS Watch Africa.

The Representative of the World Health Organisation in Nigeria, Dr. David Okello has urged Rotary International not to relent in its advocacy and fund raising efforts to ensure that polio is eradicated from the world.

Dr. Okello who was the keynote speaker at the installation ceremony of District Governor of Rotary International District 9110 said Rotary’s commitment to the ongoing global polio eradication initiative is not in doubt.

Brazzaville, 9 July 2012 – The 62nd session of the Programme Sub-committee (PSC) of World Health Organization (WHO) in the African region, began today 9 July 2012, in Brazzaville, Congo. The five-day meeting is attended by public health experts from sixteen countries in the African Region and

The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo has today highlighted the critical role that national parliaments can play in the adoption of universal health care policy and legislation, and the allocation of adequate resources for its successful implementation to protect poor people against catastrophic health expenditures.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Margaret Chan has underscored the importance of health as a prerequisite for sustainable development.