Another Nigerian child paralysed from Polo virus

A third case in a recent outbreak of polio has emerged in the country, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

Nigeria receives commendation on handling of Polio outbreak

The Regional Director, WHO/AFRO, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti has commended the government of Nigeria for the initial and prompt respond to the discovery of 2 new cases of polio in Borno State.

Nigeria seeks continued support of WHO for Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers

Nigeria has called for the continued support of WHO and other partners in achieving the prequalification status of more Nigerian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies in order to enable them take part in the global procurement process.

Africa's biggest emergency yellow fever vaccination campaign ever holds in Democratic Republic of the Congo

The biggest emergency yellow fever vaccination campaign ever held in Africa is underway in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Director-General of the World Health Organization is attending Rio Olympics, says Zika risk low

Fears on different levels have been expressed about the risk  of spreading  Zika virus infections at the Olympic Games and the World Health Organization, (WHO) has put great efforts to allay people’s concerns.

World Hepatitis Day - What to know about hepatitis virus #KnowHepatitis

Around the world 400 million people are infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C. A huge 95% of people infected with hepatitis B or C around the world do not know they are infected. 

400 million people have Hepatitis but don't know- WHO

In May of this year, the World Health Assembly - WHO's decision-making body - called for treating eight million people for hepatitis B or C by 2020, to reduce new viral hepatitis infections by 90 percent, and to decrease the number of deaths by 65 per cent in 2030, as compared with 2016.

'We cannot win the fight against AIDS without also tackling TB'- Experts

Gail-Bekker

Although it is one of the world’s oldest diseases, tuberculosis is not currently on the decline. In fact, a recent World Health Organisation report found that the global TB epidemic is even larger than previously thought, revising the estimated global burden of TB upward for the second year in a row.

Pricing is a major barrier to access quality medicines in Africa- WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for greater commitment and higher investment in Africa to build strong pharmaceutical systems and improve access to quality medicines in countries of the continent.

Rio Olympics: Zika Emergency Committee update

There have been calls by health professionals asking the World Health Organisation, WHO to shelve the Rio Olympics because of the risk spreading the epidemic Zika virus. Click here if you missed that bit.

Details of Nigerian Senate Committee on Health public hearing to Amend the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said that individuals convicted of producing and selling counterfeit and fake drugs as well as unwholesome processed foods may be jailed for life.

Syria war: WHO says they risk losing vaccination of 1 million kids

As violence and fighting intensify in Syria, the World Health Organization has expressed concern about losing the opportunity to vaccinate about a million children in the country. 

World Health Organisation calls for plain packaging of tobacco products #WorldNoTobaccoDay

Tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced.

Rio Olympics: Use a condom if you must have sex and pregnant women are warned against travelling to Brazil due to Zika virus

The World Health Organization on Thursday warned women against traveling to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmissions, including Rio de Janeiro, site of the 2016 Olympics.

Is Yellow Fever the next global health emergency?

A major outbreak of yellow fever in Angola, as well as two smaller flare-ups in Congo and Uganda, are now practically under control. But the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to be vigilant in the event the disease erupts elsewhere as a global epidemic.

If we want to keep adolescents healthy, we have to treat them with respect- World Health Organisation

Existing health services often fail the world’s adolescents (10 to 19-year-olds). Many adolescents who suffer from mental health disorders, substance use, poor nutrition, intentional injuries and chronic illness do not have access to critical prevention and care services. Meanwhile, many behaviours that have a lifelong impact on health begin in adolescence.

World Hand Hygiene Day: WHO urges health care providers to clean their hands to reduce infections

On the occasion of World Hand Hygiene Day, celebrated worldwide on 5 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges all health care workers to increase safety through improving hand hygiene and reducing health care-associated infections.

Lassa Fever: WHO calls for early diagnostic tests

Lassa fever has killed more than 160 people in West Africa, most of them in Nigeria, since November 2015. Many of these lives could have been saved if a rapid diagnostic test were available so that people could receive treatment early.

Global Health: Nearly 1 billion people live in slums says WHO

New data on the health of city-dwellers in almost 100 countries show that as the world’s urban population continues to grow, health partiality - especially between the richest and poorest urban populations - are a persistent challenge, according to a report by WHO and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

25% of all health facilities shut down in Yemen after 1 year of conflict- WHO

This week marks one year since the escalation of the conflict in Yemen, where the violence has had a devastating impact on millions of innocent civilians, causing immeasurable suffering. Since March 2015, more than 6200 people have been killed and 30 000 injured. More than 21 million people – 82% of the total population – are in need of humanitarian aid, including almost 2.5 million people who have been internally displaced. More than one third of people in need live in inaccessible or hard-to-reach areas.