Disease surveillance as cure - Overcoming concealment in Bauchi State

Auwalu Ibrahim and son Ahmed

24 July 2006 -- The faint mark on the wall showing that no child in the house was eligible for polio vaccination was misleading. Idris Mohammed , motorcycle mechanic and head of this household in Kofar Kudu Quarters of Jama’are, headquarters of the local government area (LGA) of the same name, confessed that his two wives used to drive away vaccinators, based on his instructions.

Signs of the end - Hope for Polio Eradication in Taraba state, North-East Nigeria

Hajia Samira Yusuf Bako

24 July 2006 -- Sardauna Local Government Area (LGA), home of the Mambilla Plateau – famous for its unique settlers, steep inclines, lush vegetation and temperate weather, is one of the five hardest to reach areas in Taraba, a state which despite its geography, appears set to declare victory in the task of eradicating poliomyelitis from Nigeria. Since July 2005, the state has not had a confirmed case of the wild polio virus, in spite of that year’s tally of 133 acute flaccid paralysis cases, and 25 cases as at June 9, 2006.

Emirs as catalysts in immunization drive

Emir of Ringim, Alhaji Sayyadi Abubakar Mahmood

24 July 2006 - Alhaji Sayyadi Abubakar Mahmood, the 75-year old Emir of Ringim, is leading by example in Jigawa State, monitoring immunization activities in over 60 villages and hamlets at personal cost, to ensure that all eligible children are given oral polio drops during each round of polio campaigns.

Once upon a time - Changing story of two Benue LGAs

Andrew Ochohepo

24 July 2006 -- The rough road connecting them speaks of the challenges both local government areas (LGA) have faced in the race to rid Benue State of the wild polio virus (WPV), but Agatu LGA appears to have put the worst behind her, with no reported case since 2003.

Bringing Hope to Angolan Children: Mass Health Campaign Begins to Help 3.5 Million

Washington, 12 July 2006 -- The government of Angola, and its partners in the Measles Initiative, the Global Fund on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative are launching a major health campaign to provide life-saving interventions for Angolan children. The integrated campaign is targeting more than 3.5 million children with measles and polio vaccinations, vitamin A, de-worming medication, and, in seven provinces, long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLIN’s).

Partners Team up in Kenya to Fight Measles and Malaria

Washington, 8 July 2006 -- The government of Kenya has launched a two-phase integrated measles vaccination campaign, targeting more than five million children between nine months and five years of age. In addition to measles vaccinations, the campaign will provide other life-saving health interventions, including polio vaccinations (in select districts), vitamin A and de-worming medicine.

Africa intensifies steps for Avian Influenza Preparedness

Brazzaville, 28 June 2006 -- Fifteen epidemiologists, clinicians and laboratory experts from four Central African countries are participating in a train–the–trainers induction workshop for avian influenza preparedness and response which opened Monday in Brazzaville.

Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, Pays Five-Day Offical Visit to Ghana

Accra, 17 June 2006 -- The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, arrived in Accra last Wednesday to begin a five day official duty tour to Ghana. Dr Sambo, whose visit is at the invitation of the Government of Ghana, will also attend the High Level Ministerial Meeting on Health Research for Developing Countries which takes place in Accra from 14 – 17 June 2006.