The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, yesterday began a two-day official visit to Libreville, Republic of Gabon. The climax of the visit is an audience he has had this morning with the Head of State, the President of Gabon, Mr Ali Bongo Ondimba.

The two dignitaries discussed four main issues, namely Gabon’s support to WHO, implementation of Gabon’s national health policy, the ongoing health system reform, and the meeting on the « one-health initiative », being held in Libreville from 12 to 14 November 2012. 

President Ali Bongo Ondimba assured Dr Sambo of the Gabonese Government’s support to WHO to facilitate and strengthen its activities especially the work of the Libreville-based Intercountry Support Team for Central Africa.
President Ali Bongo discussed with Dr Sambo the implementation of the new national health policy. He put special emphasis on strengthening the health system’s capacity at provincial level and improving human resources from the public health and health mangement standpoints.

Furthermore, the Head of State and the Regional Director discussed the meeting on the « One-health intiative » whose main objectives are to analyse the experiences of African countries in managing epidemics of zoonotic origin and propose an intersectoral strategy for effective implementation of the « One-health initiative » in the WHO African Region.

The meeting is being organized by WHO in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization ; the World Organisation for Animal Health ; partners, especially USAID ; representatives of health research  institutions ; and experts from countries of the African Region drawn from the health, agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry and environment sectors.

In his opening statement at the meeting, Dr Sambo outlined the real threat of epidemics of zoonotic origin especially Rift Valley fever, Lassa fever, Ebola fever and Marburg fever.

He said « these epidemics that are rife in some African countries, especially countries in forest areas, are a serious threat to social and economic development and pose a danger to international public health due to the high risk of  their spread across borders  as transport, trade and exchanges among countries worldwide have become so rapid and intense.

Several factors contribute to the risk of these epidemics. They include deforestation, hydrocarbon and mineral exploration and exploitation, and rapid urbanization. Other factors include population growth and demographic pressures, closer and closer contact between humans and animals, and some cultural and behavioural practices conducive to the  transfer of dangerous pathogens from animals to humans.

Le Dr Sambo appealed for strengthening countries’ capacities to assess the risks of the animal-human-ecosystem interface and for taking preventive measures through uniting the efforts of various sectors at the national, regional and international levels. Against this background, the « one-health initiative » is intended to raise awareness of zoonotic diseases of epidemic potential.

Each year, countries of the African Region report to the World Health Organization an estimated average of 80-100 public health events, 80% of which are casued by infections. Of the 80% of events  caused by infections, 24% are of zoonotic origin.

The Regional Director also had a discussion with the Minister of Health of Gabon on technical matters related to WHO contribution to implementing Gabon’s national health policy as part of the WHO/Gabon Country Cooperation Strategy.

Before ending his visit Dr Sambo plans to have talks with the Prime Minister of Gabon.