Cotonou, 30 March 2009 -- Based on the best available evidence,  the World Health Organization’s  (WHO)  new strategy for Buruli ulcer  (BU) control  will  focus on early case detection and early initiation of antibiotic treatment for patients.

This was announced today by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, in an address to the High-Level Leadership Meeting on BU which took place in Cotonou,   Benin Republic.

26th March 2009. The Ministry of Health will strive to ensure that the fight against TB is intensified and that all leaders, stakeholder, communities, families and individuals are mobilized for this cause. This was stated by the Minister of Information and National Guidance Mrs Kabakumba Masiko during the World TB Day commemoration held in Masindi District under the national theme: I am stopping TB and Controlling HIV.

Nigeria commemorated the 2009 World Stop TB Day on Tuesday 24th March 2009, The slogan ‘I am stopping TB’ was adopted as the national theme for this year’s celebration. At a press conference to mark the occasion, the Honourable Minister of Health Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, said that TB is still a major public health problem in Nigeria, with the country ranking 5th among the 22 high TB burden countries which collectively bear 80% of the global burden of TB.

Brazzaville, 24 March 2009 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the “rigorous implementation of the STOP TB Strategy, including universal coverage with DOTS (the Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course)” in order to significantly improve case detection and treatment outcomes.

Mbabane, 24 March 2009 -- Making an expression of commitment at the highest policy levels in the battle against TB in Kingdom of Swaziland, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Mr Themba Masuku launched the Swaziland Stop TB Partnership framework today. The timing was as apt as it was convenient-done on this very day where the world stops to take stock, reflect and raise awareness of the depredation caused by TB.

20 March 2009 -- Health Ministers from Small Island Developing States in Africa have pledged their commitment to strengthen coordination of their activities to address the common health challenges facing them.

19 March 2009-- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, has called on Small Island Developing States to strengthen the capacity of their health workforce, particularly at the central and local levels, to improve health outcomes.

Lusaka, 27 February 2009 -- The Ministry of Health today launched the second edition of the National Protocol Guidelines for the Integrated Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV and the training package for health care providers and district programme managers. The Deputy Minister of Health Honourable Mendoi Akakandelwa officially launched the guidelines at the ceremony which was held at the Ministry of Health office grounds. At the same function the WHO Representative Dr.

Lusaka -The Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, USAID and other partners in maternal and child health launched the Infant and Urban Clinic on 18th February 2009. The Minister of Health, Honourable Kapambwe Simbao, MP, officially launched the campaign which is specifically targeted at fighting malnutrition among children under the age of five.

ACCRA, GHANA, 09 TO 13 MARCH 2009 -- Ghana is to host an MIM/TDR Task Force Meeting which will be held at the African Regent Hotel, Airport West, Accra from 09 to 13 March 2009. Thirty (30) participants comprising 12 Task Force members, 10 Principal Investigators, 4 Observers and 4 staff members from WHO Headquarters are expected to participate in the meeting.