February 19, 2012, Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa -- The Government of Ethiopia Minister of Health, Dr. Tedros Adhanom, honoured many organizations and individuals in recognition of their contribution to the very successful 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) which took place in Addis Ababa, from 4-8 December 2011. Trophies, Medals and certificates were awarded to organizations and individuals who contributed significantly to the success of ICASA. In addition to the Medal and a special crystal award for the WCO, Dr. Fatoumata Nafo-Traoré, WHO Ethiopia Representative, received a silver medal award. Dr. Innocent Ntaganira, HIV team leader and ATM Cluster Coordinator and Mikeyas Sissay, who served as a Communication manager of the 16th ICASA, seconded by WCO, were also awarded Medal for their role in ICASA. Certificates were also given to Dr. Hassen Mohamed, Dr. Fikir Melesse and Dr. Fahmi Mohamed.

It is confirmed that more than 10 000 participants from 103 countries attended the 16th ICASA of 2011, the first Africa's largest conference on HIV/AIDS. The award ceremony was organized by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, Federal HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office, Ethiopia (FHAPCO) and International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA).

WHO UNECA, March 1, 2012: WHO Ethiopia donated €13,910 worth of Portable silt lamp and Hand held auto refractor machine to Menelik II General Hospital in Addis Ababa. In a brief ceremony held at the CO premise in UNECA Compound, Dr Abebayehu Asseffa, DPC Cluster Coordinator handed over the machines to Dr Kassahun Adem, Medical Director of Menelik Hospital.

Dr Abebayehu said, “We are delighted to be able to donate this medical equipment to the Menelik II Hospital to strengthen their capacity to conduct accurate diagnosis and treatment for patients with eye problems”

The contributions made by WHO is intended to improve the quality of eye care provided by the hospital.

Dr Kassahun Adem, on his part said, “The donation made by WHO will strengthen the capacity of the hospital to better provide quality services and meet the demands of the public at large.

The hand-over ceremony was held at UNECA premise on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

Debre Zeit, 23 March 2012: The second GLP Training which rolled out from March 20-23, 2012 at Babogaya Resort in Debre Zeit concluded successfully. Twenty three, all Program Staff from WHO Country Office attended the training. The GLP, a WHO’s cross-organizational staff learning programme, for all levels and regions of WHO, is designed to enhance staff’s capacity to effectively engage in Policy, Strategy and Planning dialogue with sub-national stakeholders and other partners and prepare the staff to better provide technical assistance in the planning process. This was a follow up to the first Global Learning Program Training for the WHO country office organized in January 2012, in which thirty EPI participated. This second GLP training workshop was officially opened by Dr. Fatoumata NAFO-TRAORÉ, Country Representative to WHO Ethiopia, who warmly welcomed participants, introduced the objectives of the GLP Training Workshop and provided feedback of the lessons gained during first GLP Training. In her opening remarks, Dr. Fatoumata indicated that “WHO staff have good technical knowledge and the required expertise in their areas of technical specialization but lack adequate skills critical in the process of engagement.” And she stressed; “this training will help improve their understanding of important concepts of NHPSP and skills.

The training run for 4 days and adopted a combination of methods of adult learning principles, group works, interactive presentations and reading reference materials which made it very participatory. WHO’s expected roles, identification and clarifications relating to its mandate in the process of supporting the Government of Ethiopia in its Policy, Strategy and Planning process were discussed. Five WCO staff and WR who participated in the AFRO GLP Inception Workshop in Harare and who also facilitated the first GLP Training conducted the training: Dr. Fatoumata NAFO-TRAORÉ, Mr. Abraham W/Giorgis, Dr. Sofonias Getachew, Dr. Abebayehu Asseffa and Dr. Ntaganira Innocent. The training which kicked off on the 21st of March 2012 concluded with reflections by participants on its successful accomplishments of workshop and follow up actions for the way forward.

14 March 2012, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The 4TH Inter – Agency meeting on coordination and harmonization of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria (ATM) strategies which took place at the African Union, from March 12-14, 2012, in Addis Ababa, under the theme “Boosting the HIV, TB and Malaria response through Accountability” concluded successfully. The meeting was attended by representatives of Regional Economic and Health Organizations, African Union, UN Agencies, and other International Organizations, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organizations and organized in two levels; the first of which that run from 12-13 March was a meeting of experts and the second, on 14th of March, a meeting of Regional Directors/Executives for Africa.

The meeting aimed among others, to review progress and challenges encountered in implementing the recommendations and agreed actions of the 3rd Inter-Agency Meeting on Coordination and Harmonization (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 2009) and take stock of implementation of the 15th AU Assembly (Kampala, July 2012); discuss other issues critical to uphold robust ATM interventions and ensure synergy among existing mechanisms. The meeting of experts was organized in five panels discussing on different topics: Panel one discussed on achievements since the 3rd Inter-Agency meeting; Panel two on towards acceleration and elimination; Panel three on elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV; Panel four on sustainable financing and Panel five on accountability mechanisms. Prof Georges Ki,I-zerbo, Dr Emil Odei Asamaoh, Prof Bah Keita , Dr Isseu Toure Diop and Dr Innocent Ntaganira represented the WHO in the experts meeting that took place on 12-13 March 2012. The meeting of Regional directors /Executives in Africa which held on 14 MARCH 2012 following experts meeting was officially opened by Her Excellency Bience Gawanas, the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs. In her remarks, she called upon all the partners in HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa to work in collaboration and encouraged to use the platforms such as the Inter-Agency Meeting and AWA. Presentations and remarks were made by different speakers.

The meeting of Regional directors /Executives in Africa which held on 14 MARCH 2012 following experts meeting was officially opened by Her Excellency Bience Gawanas, the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs. In her remarks, she called upon all the partners in HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa to work in collaboration and encouraged to use the platforms such as the Inter-Agency Meeting and AWA. Presentations and remarks were made by different speakers. Dr. Fatoumata Nafo-Traoré, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, and the AU and ECA, representing the Regional Director, after thanking the AUC for its leadership and creating platforms for better coordination and collaboration, indicated significant developments and high level attention since the last Inter Agency meeting on Coordination and Harmonization on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Strategies in 2009. She highlighted progress made since inception of HHA and pledged full WHO support to the recommendations of the meeting. Dr. Fatoumata Nafo-Traoré, was also a member of the panel on Sourcing African solutions where she highlighted the importance of health systems strengthening of medicines regulatory mechanisms and the need to roll out health insurance schemes to facilitate universal access. Finally, the 4th Inter – Agency meeting came up with clear recommendations on the way forward and it was officially closed by H.E Advocate Bience Gawanas, AUC Commissioner for Social Affairs. HE Gawanas extended her appreciation to r all organizations present for their attendance and partners including who have significantly contributed to the meeting a success.

WHO Ethiopia Receives Award for Role in ICASA Success 

For more informations please contact:

World Health Organization Country Office – ETHIOPIA
Tel: (+251) (11) 553 4777 / 553 1550
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