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World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Sahel, Lake Chad Basin countries coordinate joint polio eradication plan

The endorsement of this plan marks a renewed commitment to safeguard current and future generations from the life-long effects of polio

In a significant move to combat the ongoing challenge of variant poliovirus transmission in Central and West Africa, Ministers of Health from the Lake Chad Basin countries and Sahel sub-region have published this week a comprehensive cross-border coordination plan for 2024/2025. This critical initiative aims to bolster joint efforts to…

World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

In world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis

Health workers rollout immunization campaign aiming to reach one million people

In a historic move, Nigeria has become the first country in the world to roll out a new vaccine (called Men5CV) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which protects people against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria. The vaccine and emergency vaccination activities are funded by Gavi, the Vaccine…

World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognizes noma as a neglected tropical disease

Early detection is essential, as therapy is most effective at the early stages of disease when it causes severe swollen gums, known as acute necrotizing gingivitis

In a pivotal move towards addressing one of the world’s most underrecognized health challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the inclusion of noma (cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis) in its official list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This decision, which was recommended by the 17th meeting of the…

World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Global partners cheer progress towards eliminating cervical cancer and underline challenges

The global HPV vaccination coverage of girls that received at least one dose of HPV vaccine has increased to 21% in 2022 – exceeding the pre-pandemic levels for the first time

World leaders, cervical cancer survivors, advocates, partners, and civil society are coming together today to mark the third Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action. The Initiative, which marked the first time Member States adopted a resolution to eliminate a noncommunicable disease, has continued to gain momentum, and this year's commemoration promises…

World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Five billion people unprotected from trans-fat leading to heart disease

Industrially produced trans fat-is commonly found in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils and spreads

Five billion people globally remain unprotected from harmful trans fat, a new status report from World Health Organization (WHO) has found, increasing their risk of heart disease and death. Since WHO first called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans fat in 2018 – with an elimination target set for…

World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Beyond Numbers: Database Brings to Light Quality of Care for Women and their Babies at a National Scale

New paper on database and programme in Nigeria shows enormous potential for helping to improve quality of care for women and babies

Quality, standardized data on the health of women and girls who are pregnant or have recently given birth, and their babies, is crucial to inform the design of interventions to help to safeguard their lives and well-being. Strong health systems, backed by an efficient health information system – informed by…

World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Yellow Fever - West and Central Africa

Since the beginning of 2021 and as of 20 December, there have been 300 probable and 88 laboratory confirmed cases of YF

In 2021, nine countries in the WHO African Region (Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic (CAR), Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, and Republic of Congo,) reported human laboratory confirmed cases of yellow fever (YF) in areas that are at high risk for the disease and…

World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

WHO calls for reinvigorated action to fight malaria

Global malaria gains threatened by access gaps, COVID-19 and funding shortfalls

The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on countries and global health partners to step up the fight against malaria, a preventable and treatable disease that continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year. A better targeting of interventions, new tools and increased funding are needed to change…

World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

World leaders, celebrities to join WHO’s Big Event for Mental Health on 10 October

Close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide

On 10 October, World Mental Health Day, world leaders and internationally-recognized celebrities and mental health advocates will come together for the World Health Organization’s Big Event for Mental Health. WHO’s first-ever online advocacy event for mental health will focus on the urgent need to address the world’s chronic under-investment in mental health  ̶  a problem…

World Health Organization (WHO)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) |

Coronavirus - Africa: WHO and UNICEF warn of a decline in vaccinations during COVID-19

This is due to disruptions in the delivery and uptake of immunization services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

WHO and UNICEF call for immediate efforts to vaccinate all children as new data shows that, before the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine coverage stalled at 85 per cent for nearly a decade, with 14 million unvaccinated infants yearly The World Health Organization and UNICEF warned today of an alarming decline in…