Harare, 18 February 2004 -- Neonatal morbidity and mortality rates in the African Region, currently estimated at 45 deaths per 1,000 live births, are among the highest in the world, and contribute about 50% of the infant mortality rate in the Region, according to a WHO-sponsored study made available at a regional workshop on improving maternal and neonatal health in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Harare, 17 February 2004 -- A greater involvement of men in caring for their spouses during pregnancy, basic education, improved health systems and the use of skilled birth attendants are key to reducing maternal and newborn mortality in Africa.

Harare, 17 February 2004 -- An African expert on reproductive health on Monday in Harare painted a grim picture of maternal and child health in the Region and warned that the situation could worsen in the next decade if no immediate remedial actions were taken by Africa's governments and development partners.

Harare, 17 February 2004 -- African governments should ensure improved access to emergency obstetric care (EOC) as this is key to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in order to reduce the high maternal and neonatal mortality rate in the Region, a Reproductive Health expert said in Harare on Monday.

A meeting to develop a roadmap and common strategy for accelerating and monitoring the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to maternal and newborn health will be held from 16 to 18 February in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Brazzaville, 5 February 2004 -- The World Health Organization has re-iterated its call to Member States in the African Region to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), often referred to as female circumcision."

The practice -- still prevalent in at least 27 African countries - comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injures to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic reasons.

New York, 3 February 2004 -- In observance of Africa Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF)1, Africare2 and Medilinks3, is organizing an exhibition and a panel discussion on 19 February 2004 in New York highlighting health and development issues in Africa. 

Brazzaville, 3 February 2004 -- A technical consultation to review the national profiles on the status of children's environmental health in six African countries is to take place from 4 to 6 February in Cape Town, South Africa, hosted on behalf of the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) by the Medical Research Council of South Africa. 

Brazzaville -- The Swiss foundation "Winds of Hope" is to make US$2 million available to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) over a five year period in support of efforts to combat noma -- a devastating gangrenous disease which starts in the mouth and spreads quickly to disfigure the face. 

LUANDA, 09 December 2003 -- The 11th meeting of the Task Force on Immunization (TFI) in Africa and the 10th meeting of the Africa Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Committee (ARICC) ended on Friday, December 5, 2003 in Luanda, Angola with the adoption of recommendations aimed at strengthening Routine Immunization, interrupting wild polio virus in polio endemic countries and sustaining gains in accelerated disease control initiatives.