Ndjamena, 5 May 2009 - The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis G. Sambo has visited Chad to provide support for efforts by Chadian authorities to address the country's health problems. Notable among the health problems are the very high infant and maternal mortality rates and the high prevalence of communicable diseases such as malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis and other noncommunicable diseases linked to health determinants, e.g. diabetes and high blood pressure.

During the three-day visit from 3 to 5 May 2009, Dr Sambo held discussions with the national health authorities and partners on ways and means of arresting the spread of wild poliovirus and improving health indicators regarding especially the health of women and children.

Dr Sambo noted that, apart from poliomyelitis, some specific health problems may also worsen if the main social and economic determinants of health were not urgently improved. He stressed the importance of the multisectoral approach to the prevention and control of malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

The Regional Director also held working sessions with the staff of the WHO Country Office in Chad, the poliomyelitis eradication team in the presence of the Chairperson of the African Regional Polio Certification Committee and the Chairman of the Regional Interagency Committee on Immunization in Africa.

Dr Sambo used the occasion to have a discussion with the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Chad and to commend bilateral and multilateral partners for their efforts, their commitment and their effective support to Chad. He also commended the initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, to participate in the ongoing efforts and expressed the hope that peace-keeping activities in Chad would be strengthened to help bring an end to tensions in the country.

He assured the Government and partners of the firm commitment of the WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, to mobilize additional technical resources to strengthen the current capacity of the Chadian Government to address the major problems of the country.

For further information:

Dr Youssouf GAMATIE, WR/Tchad
Email: gamatiey [at] td.afro.who.int (gamatiey[at]td[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)

Mr NAISSEM Jonas, HIP/Tchad 
Email: naissemj [at] td.afro.who.int (naissemj[at]td[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)