WHO/AFRO - Press Releases

WHO/AFRO - Press Releases http://www.afro.who.int/ 2012-02-25T19:59:47+00:00 FeedCreator 1.8.0-dev (info@mypapit.net) who-press-releaseshttp://feedburner.google.com Africa’s largest AIDS Conference calls for intensified efforts to achieve Universal Access by 2015 2011-12-12T13:05:39+00:00 2011-12-12T13:05:39+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3449-africas-largest-aids-conference-calls-for-intensified-efforts-to-achieve-universal-access-by-2015.html <p><strong>Addis Ababa, 8 December 2011 --</strong> Impassioned pleas for intensified efforts by all for African countries to achieve universal access by 2015 marked the end in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 8 December 2011 of Africa's largest conference on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.</p> <p>The calls echoed the spirit of the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS adopted at the United Na-tions High Level Meeting on AIDS adopted in June this year. The Declaration sets out bold new targets and calls on Member States to redouble efforts to achieve universal access by 2015.</p> <p>Ethiopian Minister of Health Dr. Tedros Adhanom, who closed the conference spoke of the need for the international community to support Africa to achieve the target of universal access by 2015.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/dpc/acquired-immune-deficiency-syndrome/features/3457-icasa-photogallery.html"><strong>:: View Photo Gallery of ICASA 2011</strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3449-africas-largest-aids-conference-calls-for-intensified-efforts-to-achieve-universal-access-by-2015.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/EHcFedCrBUY" height="1" width="1"/>

Addis Ababa, 8 December 2011 -- Impassioned pleas for intensified efforts by all for African countries to achieve universal access by 2015 marked the end in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 8 December 2011 of Africa's largest conference on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.

The calls echoed the spirit of the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS adopted at the United Na-tions High Level Meeting on AIDS adopted in June this year. The Declaration sets out bold new targets and calls on Member States to redouble efforts to achieve universal access by 2015.

Ethiopian Minister of Health Dr. Tedros Adhanom, who closed the conference spoke of the need for the international community to support Africa to achieve the target of universal access by 2015.

:: View Photo Gallery of ICASA 2011

Read more...

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3449-africas-largest-aids-conference-calls-for-intensified-efforts-to-achieve-universal-access-by-2015.html Eastern and southern African countries make progress in Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision 2011-12-12T12:36:09+00:00 2011-12-12T12:36:09+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3447-eastern-and-southern-african-countries-make-progress-in-voluntary-male-medical-circumcision.html <p><strong>Addis Ababa, 8 December 2011 --</strong> Fourteen eastern and southern African countries have made steady progress in voluntary male medical circumcision (VMMC) with more than 1. 2 million males having undergone the procedure as at the middle of 2011.</p> <p>This indication was given in a presentation made by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday during a special session at the 16th International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 4 to 8 December 2011.</p> <p>The presentation, made by Dr Emil Asamoah-Odei of the WHO Regional Office for Africa, also indicated that if 80% coverage of 15 to 49 old males is reached by the end of 2015, some 20 million males in the two sub regions will have been circumcised.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3447-eastern-and-southern-african-countries-make-progress-in-voluntary-male-medical-circumcision.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/PT1MC3wy6dY" height="1" width="1"/>

Addis Ababa, 8 December 2011 -- Fourteen eastern and southern African countries have made steady progress in voluntary male medical circumcision (VMMC) with more than 1. 2 million males having undergone the procedure as at the middle of 2011.

This indication was given in a presentation made by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday during a special session at the 16th International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 4 to 8 December 2011.

The presentation, made by Dr Emil Asamoah-Odei of the WHO Regional Office for Africa, also indicated that if 80% coverage of 15 to 49 old males is reached by the end of 2015, some 20 million males in the two sub regions will have been circumcised.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3447-eastern-and-southern-african-countries-make-progress-in-voluntary-male-medical-circumcision.html WHO presents normative guidance on the diagnosis, prevention and management of Cryptococcus disease 2011-12-08T20:25:05+00:00 2011-12-08T20:25:05+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3435-who-presents-normative-guidance-on-the-diagnosis-prevention-and-management-of-cryptococcus-disease.html <p><strong>Addis Ababa, 8 December 2011</strong> -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has presented a new normative guidance document on the prevention, diagnosis and management of cryptococcal disease in HIV-infected adults, adolescents and children, with a focus on settings with limited health systems capacity and resources, and a high burden of the disease.</p> <p>Cryptococcal disease, a little known but one of most important opportunistic infections in humans, is believed to account for between 13 % and 44 % of deaths in HIV-infected cohorts in resource-limited settings.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3435-who-presents-normative-guidance-on-the-diagnosis-prevention-and-management-of-cryptococcus-disease.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/VmJU8LGnpWg" height="1" width="1"/>

Addis Ababa, 8 December 2011 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has presented a new normative guidance document on the prevention, diagnosis and management of cryptococcal disease in HIV-infected adults, adolescents and children, with a focus on settings with limited health systems capacity and resources, and a high burden of the disease.

Cryptococcal disease, a little known but one of most important opportunistic infections in humans, is believed to account for between 13 % and 44 % of deaths in HIV-infected cohorts in resource-limited settings.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3435-who-presents-normative-guidance-on-the-diagnosis-prevention-and-management-of-cryptococcus-disease.html Conference ends with growing calls to improve immunization to save lives 2011-12-07T22:23:42+00:00 2011-12-07T22:23:42+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3432-conference-ends-with-growing-calls-to-improve-immunization-to-save-lives.html <p><strong>Windhoek 7 December 2011 -- </strong>The Third Annual Regional Conference on Immunization has ended in Windhoek, Namibia with growing calls for accelerated actions to improve immunization to save lives. Addressing the closing section of the conference, Dr Luis Sambo, WHO Regional Director for Africa, recognized the progress made and reminded that remaining challenges need to be addressed with increased commitment and collective responsibility.</p> <p>The Regional Director reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to actively engage with all stakeholders to support governments to further strengthen the performance of national immunization programmes. He reiterated gratitude to the Government of Namibia for the hospitality accorded and excellent facilities provided for the event.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3432-conference-ends-with-growing-calls-to-improve-immunization-to-save-lives.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/4l3ebHHjOEE" height="1" width="1"/>

Windhoek 7 December 2011 -- The Third Annual Regional Conference on Immunization has ended in Windhoek, Namibia with growing calls for accelerated actions to improve immunization to save lives. Addressing the closing section of the conference, Dr Luis Sambo, WHO Regional Director for Africa, recognized the progress made and reminded that remaining challenges need to be addressed with increased commitment and collective responsibility.

The Regional Director reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to actively engage with all stakeholders to support governments to further strengthen the performance of national immunization programmes. He reiterated gratitude to the Government of Namibia for the hospitality accorded and excellent facilities provided for the event.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3432-conference-ends-with-growing-calls-to-improve-immunization-to-save-lives.html African leaders urged to renew commitment towards immunization 2011-12-06T06:15:40+00:00 2011-12-06T06:15:40+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3426-african-leaders-urged-to-renew-commitment-towards-immunization.html <p><strong><img style="float: left; margin-right: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; border-width: 1px; border-color: #000000; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.afro.who.int/images/stories/Dr-Sambo-Polio-pr20111205.jpg" alt="Dr-Sambo-Polio-pr20111205" width="179" height="187" />Windhoek, Namibia 5 December 2011</strong> -- African leaders have been urged to accelerate efforts towards making the Region polio-free. The call came from WHO African Regional Director Luis Sambo at the opening session of the 3rd Annual Regional Immunization Conference, which is taking place in Windhoek, Namibia from 5 - 8 December 2011 under the theme: "Towards a polio-free Africa".</p> <p>Speaking on the performance of routine immunization, the Regional Director stated that although the number of countries that reached 90% coverage increased from 10 to 15, the current average DTP3 coverage is 78% compared to 79% last year. He expressed concern that thirty-one out of the forty-six countries in the WHO African Region are not on track towards the 90% coverage of routine immunization as recommended by the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3426-african-leaders-urged-to-renew-commitment-towards-immunization.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/E93KJXEdsGM" height="1" width="1"/>

Windhoek, Namibia 5 December 2011 -- African leaders have been urged to accelerate efforts towards making the Region polio-free. The call came from WHO African Regional Director Luis Sambo at the opening session of the 3rd Annual Regional Immunization Conference, which is taking place in Windhoek, Namibia from 5 - 8 December 2011 under the theme: "Towards a polio-free Africa".

Speaking on the performance of routine immunization, the Regional Director stated that although the number of countries that reached 90% coverage increased from 10 to 15, the current average DTP3 coverage is 78% compared to 79% last year. He expressed concern that thirty-one out of the forty-six countries in the WHO African Region are not on track towards the 90% coverage of routine immunization as recommended by the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3426-african-leaders-urged-to-renew-commitment-towards-immunization.html International Conference on HIV/AIDS kicks off in Addis Ababa 2011-12-05T12:23:51+00:00 2011-12-05T12:23:51+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3424-international-conference-on-hivaids-kicks-off-in-addis-ababa.html <p><strong><img style="float: left; margin-right: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; border-width: 1px; border-color: #000000; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.afro.who.int/images/stories/ICASA2011-Ethiopia-1.jpg" alt="ICASA2011-Ethiopia-1" width="179" height="156" />Addis Ababa, 4 December 2011</strong> -- The 16th International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) got underway in Addis Ababa on Sunday with political and health leaders calling on governments to invest more in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.</p> <p>Speaking at the official opening of the conference, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi urged delegates to participate fully in the five-day conference and share experiences that can contribute to bring an end to the epidemic in Africa.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3424-international-conference-on-hivaids-kicks-off-in-addis-ababa.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/799W2GBsInY" height="1" width="1"/>

Addis Ababa, 4 December 2011 -- The 16th International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) got underway in Addis Ababa on Sunday with political and health leaders calling on governments to invest more in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Speaking at the official opening of the conference, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi urged delegates to participate fully in the five-day conference and share experiences that can contribute to bring an end to the epidemic in Africa.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3424-international-conference-on-hivaids-kicks-off-in-addis-ababa.html Emergencies in Africa: African Public Health Emergency Fund to the rescue 2011-11-24T08:42:57+00:00 2011-11-24T08:42:57+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3402-emergencies-in-africa.html <p><strong>Brazzaville, 24 November 2011</strong> Disease outbreaks, floods, droughts, communal tensions, civil strife Africa faces some of the world’s worst natural and man-made disasters which leave thousands dead, and millions injured, displaced and devastated.</p> <p>And statistics bear this out. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, at least 32 of the 46 countries in the Region reported at least one public health emergency in 2009.</p> <p>Experience in Africa shows that when public health emergencies occur, there is a considerable time gap between the occurrence of these events and the flow of resources – often expected from, or provide by, external sources needed to save lives.</p> <p>But effective response cannot wait for that long. This is because in the first few days after an emergency occurs or a disaster strikes, money is needed to arrange supplies and travel of medical and relief teams; set up and operationalize control rooms with staff and equipment; and provide direct financial support to affected countries for logistics, communications etc.</p> <p>This is where the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF) comes in.</p> <p>In recognition of the inadequate resources available to Member States to respond to public health emergencies, the WHO Regional Committee for <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3402-emergencies-in-africa.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/UKxuuoAGWJQ" height="1" width="1"/>

Brazzaville, 24 November 2011 Disease outbreaks, floods, droughts, communal tensions, civil strife Africa faces some of the world’s worst natural and man-made disasters which leave thousands dead, and millions injured, displaced and devastated.

And statistics bear this out. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, at least 32 of the 46 countries in the Region reported at least one public health emergency in 2009.

Experience in Africa shows that when public health emergencies occur, there is a considerable time gap between the occurrence of these events and the flow of resources – often expected from, or provide by, external sources needed to save lives.

But effective response cannot wait for that long. This is because in the first few days after an emergency occurs or a disaster strikes, money is needed to arrange supplies and travel of medical and relief teams; set up and operationalize control rooms with staff and equipment; and provide direct financial support to affected countries for logistics, communications etc.

This is where the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF) comes in.

In recognition of the inadequate resources available to Member States to respond to public health emergencies, the WHO Regional Committee for

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3402-emergencies-in-africa.html Expert group identifies critical areas for WHO action in responding to research priorities in Africa 2011-11-23T14:05:52+00:00 2011-11-23T14:05:52+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3400-expert-group-identifies-critical-areas-for-who-action-in-responding-to-research-priorities-in-africa.html <p><strong>Brazzaville, 19 November 2011</strong> -- The African Advisory Committee on Health Research and Development (AACHRD) has recommended critical areas for action by the World Health Organization (WHO) in developing a regional response to research priorities in countries in the WHO African Region.</p> <p>The recommendations were made at the end of the 25th session of the African Advisory Committee on Health Research (AACHRD which met from 17-19 November in Brazzaville, Congo.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3400-expert-group-identifies-critical-areas-for-who-action-in-responding-to-research-priorities-in-africa.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/5svHW9d-rPM" height="1" width="1"/>

Brazzaville, 19 November 2011 -- The African Advisory Committee on Health Research and Development (AACHRD) has recommended critical areas for action by the World Health Organization (WHO) in developing a regional response to research priorities in countries in the WHO African Region.

The recommendations were made at the end of the 25th session of the African Advisory Committee on Health Research (AACHRD which met from 17-19 November in Brazzaville, Congo.

Read more...

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3400-expert-group-identifies-critical-areas-for-who-action-in-responding-to-research-priorities-in-africa.html Research is vital for disease prevention and control – Dr Sambo 2011-11-18T16:07:51+00:00 2011-11-18T16:07:51+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3393-research-is-vital-for-disease-prevention-and-control-dr-sambo.html <p><img style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.afro.who.int/images/stories/PRESS/Delegates-African-Advisory-Committee-Health.jpg" alt="Delegates-African-Advisory-Committee-Health" width="350" height="165" /></p> <p><strong>Brazzaville, 17 November 2011 --</strong> The results of research can help countries to formulate policies to address the menace of diseases and other barriers to health including key determinants such as the environment, access to clean water, food safety, nutrition, illiteracy, gender, the global financial crisis and extreme poverty.</p> <p>This was stated by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, in a message to the 25th session of the African Advisory Committee on Health Research and Development (AACHRD) which opened on Thursday in the Congolese capital.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3393-research-is-vital-for-disease-prevention-and-control-dr-sambo.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/QeLi1kybmQo" height="1" width="1"/>

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Brazzaville, 17 November 2011 -- The results of research can help countries to formulate policies to address the menace of diseases and other barriers to health including key determinants such as the environment, access to clean water, food safety, nutrition, illiteracy, gender, the global financial crisis and extreme poverty.

This was stated by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, in a message to the 25th session of the African Advisory Committee on Health Research and Development (AACHRD) which opened on Thursday in the Congolese capital.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3393-research-is-vital-for-disease-prevention-and-control-dr-sambo.html Expert Consultation makes recommendations on strategies for malaria vector control in the African Region 2011-10-31T12:27:14+00:00 2011-10-31T12:27:14+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3378-expert-consultation-makes-recommendations-on-strategies-for-malaria-vector-control-in-the-african-region.html <p><strong>Brazzaville</strong><strong>, 31 October </strong><strong>2011 --</strong> An expert consultation on malaria vector control has ended in Brazzaville, Congo, with key recommendations on principles and decision making criteria upon which vector control methods and products are to be used to accelerate malaria control and eventual elimination in the African Region.</p> <p>Meeting under the auspices of the World Health Organization, the experts recommended that the process of deciding which malaria vector control method is appropriate in a given situation should be guided by five factors<strong>: </strong>an analysis of the level of malaria prevalence, a consideration of the relationship between mosquitoes and the environment, the eco-epidemiological setting, the health management system and ability to sustain a chosen control programme.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3378-expert-consultation-makes-recommendations-on-strategies-for-malaria-vector-control-in-the-african-region.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/ZOkxIqtEmAE" height="1" width="1"/>

Brazzaville, 31 October 2011 -- An expert consultation on malaria vector control has ended in Brazzaville, Congo, with key recommendations on principles and decision making criteria upon which vector control methods and products are to be used to accelerate malaria control and eventual elimination in the African Region.

Meeting under the auspices of the World Health Organization, the experts recommended that the process of deciding which malaria vector control method is appropriate in a given situation should be guided by five factors: an analysis of the level of malaria prevalence, a consideration of the relationship between mosquitoes and the environment, the eco-epidemiological setting, the health management system and ability to sustain a chosen control programme.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3378-expert-consultation-makes-recommendations-on-strategies-for-malaria-vector-control-in-the-african-region.html World Conference on Social Determinants of Health adopts Rio Political Declaration 2011-10-24T12:10:46+00:00 2011-10-24T12:10:46+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3352-world-conference-on-social-determinants-of-health-adopts-the-rio-political-declaration-heads-of-del.html <p><strong><img style="border-width: 1px; border-color: #000000; border-style: solid; margin: 3px; float: left;" src="http://www.afro.who.int/images/stories/PRESS/WHO_Director-General-conference.jpg" alt="WHO_Director-General-conference" width="200" height="198" />Rio de Janeiro, October 24 –</strong> The World Conference on Social Determinants of Health ended on Friday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the adoption of the meeting’s outcome document, the Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health. The conference which took place from 19-21 October at the Brazillian capital of Rio de Janeiro was attended by 125 Member States, 38 from the African region.</p> <p>In his closing remarks, the Minister of Foreign Relations of Brazil, Mr.Antonio Patriota, thanked all participants for making the conference a success and for adopting its outcome document - the Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health. Speaking on behalf of WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, the Assistant Director-General, Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, said that the Rio Political Declaration, which focuses on five action areas, was meant to galvanize Member States, civil society and partners in tackling health inequities and inequalities between and within countries.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3352-world-conference-on-social-determinants-of-health-adopts-the-rio-political-declaration-heads-of-del.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/H8_lrnlhAUQ" height="1" width="1"/>

Rio de Janeiro, October 24 – The World Conference on Social Determinants of Health ended on Friday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the adoption of the meeting’s outcome document, the Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health. The conference which took place from 19-21 October at the Brazillian capital of Rio de Janeiro was attended by 125 Member States, 38 from the African region.

In his closing remarks, the Minister of Foreign Relations of Brazil, Mr.Antonio Patriota, thanked all participants for making the conference a success and for adopting its outcome document - the Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health. Speaking on behalf of WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, the Assistant Director-General, Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, said that the Rio Political Declaration, which focuses on five action areas, was meant to galvanize Member States, civil society and partners in tackling health inequities and inequalities between and within countries.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3352-world-conference-on-social-determinants-of-health-adopts-the-rio-political-declaration-heads-of-del.html WHO welcomes preliminary results of Malaria vaccine trials 2011-10-23T14:33:33+00:00 2011-10-23T14:33:33+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3351-who-welcomes-preliminary-results-of-malaria-vaccine-trials.html <p><strong></strong>The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa has welcomed the announcement that trials of a malaria candidate vaccine shows promising results by providing protection against clinical malaria in children.</p> <p>The results were announced at the Malaria Forum hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, USA.</p> <p>Between May 2009 and January 2011, 15460 children from seven countries in Africa, namely, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania took part in the clinical trials. The trials showed that administration of the malaria candidate vaccine called RTS.S was able to prevent about 50-56% of children from developing clinical malaria. The incidence of severe malaria was reduced by about 35% in vaccinated children. The RTS,S candidate vaccine trial is ongoing and is scheduled for completion in 2014.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3351-who-welcomes-preliminary-results-of-malaria-vaccine-trials.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/tjXBzC7khYo" height="1" width="1"/>

The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa has welcomed the announcement that trials of a malaria candidate vaccine shows promising results by providing protection against clinical malaria in children.

The results were announced at the Malaria Forum hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, USA.

Between May 2009 and January 2011, 15460 children from seven countries in Africa, namely, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania took part in the clinical trials. The trials showed that administration of the malaria candidate vaccine called RTS.S was able to prevent about 50-56% of children from developing clinical malaria. The incidence of severe malaria was reduced by about 35% in vaccinated children. The RTS,S candidate vaccine trial is ongoing and is scheduled for completion in 2014.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3351-who-welcomes-preliminary-results-of-malaria-vaccine-trials.html WHO Director-General calls for awareness, action and accountability on social determinants of health 2011-10-21T12:46:15+00:00 2011-10-21T12:46:15+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3348-who-director-general-calls-for-awareness-action-and-accountability-on-social-determinants-of-health.html <div class="jce_caption" style="width: 317px; margin: 5px; display: inline-block;"><img style="border-width: 2px; border-color: #eaeaea; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.afro.who.int/images/stories/Acting_President_of_Brazil_Mr_Michel_Temer_addressing_delegates_during_the_opening_session._Seated_5th_from_left_is_Dr_Margaret_Chan_WHO_Director-General.jpg" alt="alt" width="317" height="200" /> <div style="clear: both;"><strong>Acting President of Brazil, Mr Michel Temer addressing delegates during the opening session.</strong></div> </div> <p><strong>Rio de Janeiro, 19 October 2011</strong> -- The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Margaret Chan has called for increased awareness, action and accountability (the “3-As”) by all Member States in addressing social determinants of health (SDH).</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3348-who-director-general-calls-for-awareness-action-and-accountability-on-social-determinants-of-health.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/hvQDX1RKuRk" height="1" width="1"/>

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Acting President of Brazil, Mr Michel Temer addressing delegates during the opening session.

Rio de Janeiro, 19 October 2011 -- The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Margaret Chan has called for increased awareness, action and accountability (the “3-As”) by all Member States in addressing social determinants of health (SDH).

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3348-who-director-general-calls-for-awareness-action-and-accountability-on-social-determinants-of-health.html Dr Luis Sambo outlines key interventions to improve universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa 2011-09-30T13:04:41+00:00 2011-09-30T13:04:41+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3307-dr-luis-sambo-outlines-key-interventions-to-improve-universal-access-to-hivaids-prevention-in-africa.html <p><strong><img style="float: left; margin-right: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; border-width: 1px; border-color: #000000; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.afro.who.int/images/stories/PRESS/pr20110930.jpg" alt="pr20110930" width="120" height="153" />Luanda, 30 September 2011</strong> -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, has highlighted the substantial progress in HIV/AIDS control and encouraged countries of the African Region to implement a package of key interventions to improve universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care including the control of HIV/TB co-infection.</p> <p>He made these remarks as Guest of Honour while addressing participants at the second workshop of the SADC Military Subcommittee on HIV/AIDS that took place in Luanda from 27 to 29 September 2011. The opening session of the event, chaired by the Angolan Minister of Defence, was attended by members of the Angolan Government, SADC representatives, diplomats accredited to Angola, nongovernmental organizations and United Nations agencies.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3307-dr-luis-sambo-outlines-key-interventions-to-improve-universal-access-to-hivaids-prevention-in-africa.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/c5hFWWrQU3g" height="1" width="1"/>

Luanda, 30 September 2011 -- The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, has highlighted the substantial progress in HIV/AIDS control and encouraged countries of the African Region to implement a package of key interventions to improve universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care including the control of HIV/TB co-infection.

He made these remarks as Guest of Honour while addressing participants at the second workshop of the SADC Military Subcommittee on HIV/AIDS that took place in Luanda from 27 to 29 September 2011. The opening session of the event, chaired by the Angolan Minister of Defence, was attended by members of the Angolan Government, SADC representatives, diplomats accredited to Angola, nongovernmental organizations and United Nations agencies.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3307-dr-luis-sambo-outlines-key-interventions-to-improve-universal-access-to-hivaids-prevention-in-africa.html UN Summit ends with adoption of measures to curb death toll from noncommunicable diseases 2011-09-21T16:20:33+00:00 2011-09-21T16:20:33+00:00 http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3300-un-summit-ends-with-adoption-of-measures-to-curb-death-toll-from-noncommunicable-diseases.html <p><strong>New York, 20 September 2011</strong> -- The landmark UN high-level conference on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) ended on Tuesday in New York after considering strategies to prevent and control mostly life-style and diet-related diseases that have become major killers in Africa and across the world.<br /><br />Delegates at the two-day meeting hosted by the General Assembly, on Monday adopted a declaration calling for wide ranging actions to stem the rising tide of NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke, chronic respiratory disease and cancer which together kill some 36 million people each year. It is projected that, globally, deaths from NCDs will rise by a further 17% over the next 10 years, but the greatest increase (27%), is expected to be seen in the African region.</p> <p><a href="http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3300-un-summit-ends-with-adoption-of-measures-to-curb-death-toll-from-noncommunicable-diseases.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/who-press-releases/~4/YLhdF78sSew" height="1" width="1"/>

New York, 20 September 2011 -- The landmark UN high-level conference on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) ended on Tuesday in New York after considering strategies to prevent and control mostly life-style and diet-related diseases that have become major killers in Africa and across the world.

Delegates at the two-day meeting hosted by the General Assembly, on Monday adopted a declaration calling for wide ranging actions to stem the rising tide of NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke, chronic respiratory disease and cancer which together kill some 36 million people each year. It is projected that, globally, deaths from NCDs will rise by a further 17% over the next 10 years, but the greatest increase (27%), is expected to be seen in the African region.

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http://www.afro.who.int/en/component/content/article/1318-press-releases/3300-un-summit-ends-with-adoption-of-measures-to-curb-death-toll-from-noncommunicable-diseases.html