Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates Benin and Mali for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem

Both Benin and Mali implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of WHO and partners

WHO has validated Benin and Mali as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making them the fifth and sixth countries in WHO’s African Region to achieve this significant milestone.  Countries that previously received WHO validation for trachoma elimination are Ghana (June 2018), Gambia (April 2021), Togo (May 2022)…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

mRNA Technology Transfer Programme moves to the next phase of its development

The meeting participants include biomanufacturing partners from 15 countries in the Programme, leading experts, industry, civil society representatives, and funders

Inauguration of the mRNA technology Hub facility at Afrigen, South Africa; partners gather in Cape Town to discuss the next phase of the mRNA vaccine development and knowledge sharing. Over 200 international participants working with the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme met in Cape Town this week for their first face-to-face…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

‘Dakar Declaration’ to strengthen data on road crash deaths in Africa

The ‘Dakar Declaration,’ includes actions to enhance data capture, analysis, sharing and coordination to shape better road safety policies

Nearly half of all countries in the WHO African Region have committed to strengthening reporting on road crash fatalities, with an eye on meeting the global target of halving road crash deaths by 2030 as set out in the Global Plan for the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety,…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Beyond the numbers: the real-world impact of the malaria vaccine in Kenya

Caregivers, health leaders and community health volunteers reflect on malaria vaccine implementation and how the new tool is reaching children at risk with life-saving malaria prevention

Africa’s Lake Victoria is the world’s second largest freshwater lake and its largest tropical lake. This awe-inspiring ecosystem supports a stunning variety of bird, aquatic and animal species. Unfortunately, the same ecosystem is also an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry malaria. Malaria experts refer to the areas around…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

World Health Organization (WHO) convenes the Fifth Global Forum on Human Resources for Health

Health systems are dependent on health worker availability, accessibility and quality

WHO is organizing the Fifth Global Forum on Human Resources for Health from 3 to 5 April 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Forum, the largest gathering of the health workforce professionals, health policymakers and multisectoral partners is focusing on the theme of Protecting, safeguarding, and investing in the health and care workforce. As…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Marburg Virus Disease - United Republic of Tanzania

As response measures, Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to investigate and implement interventions in the affected areas

Situation at a glance On 21 March 2023, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the United Republic of Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the country. As of 22 March, a total of eight cases, including five deaths (case fatality ratio [CFR]: 62.5%) have been reported…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Disease Outbreak News: Marburg virus disease - Equatorial Guinea

WHO assesses the risk posed by the outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level

Situation at a glance Since the first Disease Outbreak News on this event was published on 25 February 2023, eight additional laboratory-confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease (MVD) have been reported in Equatorial Guinea. This brings the total to nine laboratory-confirmed cases and 20 probable cases since the declaration of the outbreak in…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Our lifetime opportunity to enable water, sanitation and hygiene for all

Millions of children and families do not have adequate WASH services, including soap to wash their hands

As the historic United Nations Water Conference commences today – the first in nearly 50 years – the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) call on all nations to radically accelerate action to make water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) a reality for all. The numbers…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Countries Begin Negotiations on Global Agreement to Protect World from Future Pandemic Emergencies

WHO Member States will continue negotiations of the zero draft of the pandemic accord at the INB’s next meeting, to be held over 3-6 April, with a view to collecting all inputs necessary to develop the first draft

Countries of the World Health Organization have begun negotiations on a global accord on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, using the “zero draft” as a basis for negotiating an agreement to protect nations and communities from future pandemic emergencies. Ending Friday, discussions on the draft pandemic accord took place during…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Disease Outbreak News: Marburg virus disease - Equatorial Guinea

WHO assesses the risk posed by the outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level

Situation at a glance  On 7 February 2023, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea reported the deaths of a number of individuals with suspected hemorrhagic fever. On 12 February 2023, one sample was confirmed positive for Marburg virus by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), at the…