Harare, 15 June 2006 -- With the recent completion of the latest rounds of treatment targeting the entire country, Burkina Faso has become the first in the WHO African Region to achieve nationwide coverage with anthelminthic drugs against three major neglected tropical diseases: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (intestinal parasites).

Brazzaville, 26 May 2006 -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo has paid tribute to Dr Jong-wook Lee who died on Monday, 22 May 2006 after a short illness, just before the opening of the 59th Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA).

“The death of Dr Lee shortly after his hospitalization and hours before the opening of the 59th World Health Assembly is a tragic event for the World Health Organization and its Member States”, said Dr Sambo who is currently attending the World Health Assembly.

Geneva, 24 may 2006 -- More than 1000 people packed into the Basilique Notre-Dame today in Geneva to attend the funeral of Dr LEE Jong-Wook, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

Geneva, 22 may 2006 -- Dr LEE Jong-Wook, WHO Director-General.

Dr LEE Jong-Wook, Director-General of the World Health Organization, died this morning after a short illness.

Abuja, 4 May 2006 -- A special summit of the 53-nation African Union ended Thursday in Abuja with the adoption of far-reaching decisions to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria (ATM) three diseases which kill an estimated four million Africans every year.

Abuja, 3 May 2006 -- As The burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria remains “unacceptably high” in sub-Saharan Africa and a “special approach” is now needed to address the specific needs and challenges of children affected by the three diseases.

This view was expressed by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, in a statement at the opening on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria, of a ministerial meeting on HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.

In Kaduna State, Town Hall meetings are opening a new frontier for addressing community compliance in the polio eradication programme and ensuring community ownership of immunization. The meetings, which started in June 2005, have been conducted in the 15 very high risk local government areas (LGA). In Kaduna North LGA, data is showing a consistent drop in the number of non-compliance cases from 5,357 in the August 2005 round, to 1,312 in the March 2006 round.

Nairobi, 29 April 2006 -- The Minister for Health today launched the Emergency Measles and Polio Campaign. The national launch took place in Pumwani District of Nairobi Province. Hon. Dr. Wilfred Machage, Assistant Minister for Medical Services represented the Minister for Health, Hon. Charity Ngilu.

Ministry of Health And Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development Issue a Joint Press Statement on Rift Valley Fever Outbreak.

Nairobi, 15 January 2007 -- The Director of Medical Services, Dr. James Nyikal and the Director of Veterinary Services Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Dr. Joseph Musaa addressed a major Press Conference to provide update on the Rift Valley Fever outbreak in the country since it was confirmed on 21 st December 2006.

Luanda, 19 April 2006 -- As part of periodic consultations with the Angolan Government, the WHO Representative, Dr Fatoumata Diallo, met with the Angolan Prime Minister, Mr. Fernando da Piedade Dias Dos Santos, on Wednesday 19th April 2006 to review intersectoral actions to be taken in order to address some important health issues.