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WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Ghana: Addressing Mental Health Challenges for Akosombo Flood Victims

The World Health Organization (WHO), with funding from UK in Ghana, stepped in to address the urgent need for mental health and psychosocial support services

In October 2023, the spillage of the Akosombo Dam caused catastrophic flooding in some districts of the Eastern, Volta, and Greater Accra regions, displacing thousands of people and leaving a trail of destruction. For many, the flood was more than a physical disaster—it was a profound emotional shock. Families woke…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Cholera vaccination campaign commences in Rubkona as part of efforts to address and control the ongoing outbreak

H.E. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol underscored government efforts in delivering healthcare, clean water provision, and hygiene promotion in all the affected locations to curb the outbreak

A campaign aimed at vaccinating over 300 000 people against cholera has commenced in the hotspot county of Rubkona, Unity State in a vital step to curb the ongoing outbreak, bringing the total number of counties where the vaccination campaign has been conducted nationwide to four. Rubkona County is one…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Celebrating Excellence: Shamila Ajodha Receives the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General’s Excellence Award 2024

Shamila stepped in and handled effectively and efficiently multiple roles to fill the gap when members from operations cluster are on official leave or when the workload warrants same to ensure business continuity

Dedication, commitment, diligence, and an unwavering sense of duty – this is how the team at the World Health Organization country office Mauritius described Shamila Ajodha, for her unflinching support as prgramme assistant.  She is truly the cornerstone of the team. During the past two decades, Shamila has excelled in…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Prioritizing road safety in Botswana

Thus road traffic authorities have placed a strong emphasis on making roads safer for pedestrians, and particularly for children, who account for almost a quarter of road accident casualties

To improve road safety and reduce the risk of road traffic injuries and deaths, Botswana is implementing a range of measures from widespread public education programmes to enforcing stricter traffic laws that have begun paying off. One of the most significant outcomes is the reduction of the legal blood alcohol…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Strengthening Epidemic Preparedness and Response: Building Resilience After Ghana’s 2023 Floods

To mitigate the health risks posed by the floods, the WHO facilitated the training of over 700 community-based surveillance volunteers

In 2023, Ghana faced a major disaster when the spillage of excess water from the Akosombo Dam led to devastating floods in the Eastern, Volta, and Greater Accra Regions. The increased water flow in the Volta River inundated low-lying areas along its course, severely impacting communities such as Mepe, Battor,…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

New step in African region’s efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis and hepatitis B

Over 21.3 million people are now on life-saving antiretroviral treatment, and in Eastern and Southern Africa, 90% of pregnant women receive antiretroviral therapy to protect their babies from HIV

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has launched a Regional Validation Committee for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus, marking a pivotal moment in ensuring a healthier future for every mother and child across Africa. The Regional Validation Committee has a…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Protecting at-risk populations from mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with national health authorities to implement targeted interventions to protect vulnerable populations

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the hardest hit country in the African region by mpox outbreak, accounting for about 80% of laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths reported across the continent this year. While mpox is primarily transmitted through close physical contact, it can affect anyone. Vulnerable populations are at…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Enhanced control measures helping to control mpox outbreak in Africa

To strengthen the response, WHO is working closely with the Ghana Health Service to increase public awareness even further

More than 13 000 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases have been reported in the African region since the start of 2024, as of 17 November. Three countries – Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda - account for approximately 97% of all reported cases so far this year. From reinforcing outbreak…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

African health ministers, delegates adopt declaration on climate change and health

Enhancing policy and decision-making is also crucial by integrating climate change considerations into national health policies and strategies to ensure that health is prioritized in climate action plans

Health ministers and delegates from 20 African countries today adopted a landmark declaration to enhance climate resilience within health systems and address the profound health impacts of climate change on the continent. The Harare Declaration, endorsed during the first Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC), calls for immediate and collaborative…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Enhancing polio detection with advanced sequencing technology

This year alone, 290 poliovirus detections have been reported in 23 African countries

The African region, declared free of indigenous wild poliovirus in August 2020, faces an urgent threat: the intense transmission of type 2 variant poliovirus (cVDPV2). This year alone, 290 poliovirus detections have been reported in 23 African countries. As countries ramp up vaccination efforts to protect children against the virus, one…