News Releases

Tanzanian authorities inform WHO they have no cases of Ebola

On 14 September, the World Health Organization (WHO) received formal notification from the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania that there are no cases of Ebola virus disease in the country. This followed earlier rumours of the death of one person and illness in a few others. The Tanzanian authorities did not indicate what the cause of the illnesses might have been. 

Ghana celebrates 17th African Traditional Medicine Day

The Seventeenth African Traditional Medicine day was observed in Ghana on the 3rdSeptember 2019. The theme for the commemoration day focused on: “Integrating traditional Medicine in Health Sciences curricula in universities in the African Region” as part of mechanisms to integrate African Traditional Medicine in the national health system to achieve Universal Health Coverage. The 20th anniversary of traditional medicine week celebration in Ghana was also launched.

Malaria vaccine launched in Kenya: Kenya joins Ghana and Malawi to roll out landmark...

Homa Bay, Kenya, 13 September 2019 – The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates the Government of Kenya for launching the world’s first malaria vaccine today in Homa Bay County, western Kenya.

The malaria vaccine pilot programme is now fully under way in Africa, as Kenya joins Ghana and Malawi to introduce the landmark vaccine as a tool against a disease that continues to affect millions of children in Africa.

Strengthening regional cooperation for promoting urban health in Africa

With over half of the global population now living in urban settings, cities and their leaders play a critical role in developing, implementing and enforcing policies to create healthy environments for populations. Their engagement is especially critical for tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries, which together kill almost 46 million people globally each year – 80% of all global deaths.

Ethiopia launches investment case for noncommunicable diseases

Addis Ababa. 10 September 2019 – On 5 September 2019, Ethiopia disseminates the results of a case report for Investment in prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs): a cost-benefit analysis including considerations on the impact of khat. The dissemination workshop took place at Jupiter International Hotel, Addis Ababa with the presence H.E Dr. Amir Aman, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, representatives from the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), other relevant stakeholders and the media.

WHO and partners to help the Government boost health facility defences against Ebola...

To strengthen health practitioners’ proficiency in preventing the spread of Ebola virus disease in health facilities, the Commission for Prevention and Biosecurity of the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) launched on 5 September a guideline and training package on infection prevention and control that targets at least 3 000 nurses, doctors and other health care workers.