World Health Organization (WHO) is stepping up support to the Nigerian authorities to provide emergency health assistance following devastation caused by severe flooding that has so far affected more than 610 000 people, damaged key basic infrastructure and raised the risks of food insecurity and spread of infectious diseases.

The floods have displaced more than 225 000 people, with 201 deaths reported in 15 of the country’s 36 states and about 115 000 hectares of farmland inundated.

In Maiduguri, the capital of the country’s north-eastern Borno state, more than 230 000 people have been affected by floods after a major dam collapsed following intense rainfall. The deluge has hampered access to health facilities, schools and markets. Fourteen health facilities have been flooded. Acute watery diarrhoea, malaria, other water-borne and infectious diseases, as well as malnutrition are some of the major health risks in the wake of the severe floods.

WHO has deployed four mobile health teams comprising 20 medical personnel with essential drugs and medical supplies, to the affected areas in Maiduguri. The teams are providing treatment for minor ailments, routine immunization, antenatal and postnatal services as well as mental health care and coordinating medical referrals to larger hospitals. Another WHO team of 50 frontline volunteers has been deployed to carry out community active case search for water-borne and vaccine preventable diseases in camps for the displaced.

To mitigate the risk of malnutrition and vector-borne diseases, food and non-food items including blankets and long-lasting insecticide treated nets, have been provided by state health authorities and partners, including WHO, at the Asheikh Jarma settlement. A cold store has been established at a local hospital to store and process laboratory samples and for vaccine storage. 

“The flooding in Nigeria poses a severe public health challenge, necessitating a swift, agile and comprehensive response,” says Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria. “Close collaboration between government and partners such as WHO is critical to such efforts.”

The Nigerian federal government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has mounted a multisectoral emergency response in collaboration with local health authorities in affected states, as well as WHO and other partners. The Ministry of Health has also activated emergency response call centres.

In Jigawa, among the worst-hit state, authorities have converted public buildings and schools into shelters for the displaced and distributed food rations, blankets and mosquito nets. Meanwhile, WHO has provided Jigawa with around US$ 45 000 of essential drugs and medical supplies, including rapid diagnostic kits for malaria and anti-malarial medication. The Organization is in the process of dispatching similar donations to two other affected states, Bauchi and Kogi. 

“We are grateful to WHO for this key contribution to our efforts to prevent the outbreak of diseases among flood victims currently living in temporary camps,” says Dr Mohammed Kainuwa, the Commissioner of Health for Jigawa.  “Above all, these supplies will help us to protect displaced pregnant women and children, who are especially vulnerable.”

According to Manzo Ezekiel, spokesperson for NEMA, the flooding, which has so far largely been confined to the north of the country, could worsen in the coming weeks as flood waters flow downwards to central and southern states. 

“WHO will continue to support the government as it strives to mitigate the impact of this ongoing health crisis and save lives,” says Dr Malumbo. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.

The UAE has strongly condemned the stabbing incident targeting His Excellency Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros, which resulted in his injury.

The UAE expressed its sincere sympathy over this tragic incident.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed the UAE’s solidarity with his family, as well as with the government and people of the Union of the Comoros, and offered its heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

Furthermore, the Ministry has reaffirmed that the UAE expresses its categorical condemnation of such criminal and extremist acts, and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), the evidence-based approach to protecting patients and health care workers from avoidable infections, is universally recognized as one of the cornerstones of a safe and effective health care delivery. The thorough and sound implementation of IPC practices not only reduces the risks of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), they also prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is emerging as a global health threat.

Following the successful implementation of its first IPC National Action Plan (NAP), which was developed with the support of WHO, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) recently initiated the development of its second NAP, an ambitious document that aims to scale up the country’s IPC activities over the next five years, during a workshop held in the last week of August 2024.

COVID-19 had the merit of helping to put IPC on the health agenda in Mauritius by raising awareness about its importance among stakeholders and decision-makers. Throughout the pandemic, WHO Mauritius worked with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) to bolster the country’s IPC capabilities, via various trainings on IPC guidelines and standards, regular IPC assessments of the country’s regional hospitals and key health facilities, and by financing the supply of personal protective equipment, washbasins, medical elbow taps and, most recently,  the refurbishing or construction of  isolation wards at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, Dr AG Jeetoo Hospital, Victoria Hospital and Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital.  

As Dr Dooshanveer Nuckchady, infectious disease specialist and IPC focal point, explains, the scope of the second NAP will be broader than the first one. “We succeeded in completing two thirds of the first NAP on IPC which expired at the beginning of 2024. Now we want to continue with the same momentum and push forward. Due to the circumstances, the previous NAP was shorter (two years) and a bit COVID-centric; this time we want to do something more robust and complete.”

A WHO-led assessment was conducted in 2022 and 2023 to monitor the progress of the implementation of the national guidelines on IPC. Three of the five regional hospitals were scored at Intermediate Level of IPC implementation, while strong progress was noted in IPC training. However, refresher and bedside training sessions and innovative training methods need to be considered for enhanced knowledge management and transfer. An assessment of IPC practices conducted in Rodrigues revealed significant improvements in multiple areas of IPC in 2023 compared to the previous year. HAIs represent a major health burden for countries across the world. The estimated global rate of HAIs for low- and middle-income countries is 15%. In Mauritius, the incidence of HAIs and SSIs increased from 4.9 and 8.2 per 100 patients in 1993, respectively, to 18 and 17 per 100 patients in 2018. The mortality rate was almost four times higher in patients with HAIs and SSIs compared to those who did not suffer from these infections.

“We really want to reduce the incidence and prevalence of these types of infections. First, we need to know how many infections are occurring, as well as where and why they’re occurring. Then we can put in place bundles of care and multimodal strategies to train people, purchase the right equipment and set up the necessary infrastructure to reduce these infections,” says Dr Nuckchady.

HAIs also result in longer hospital stays, long-term disabilities, higher AMR rates and additional financial burdens on patients and health systems. To tackle issues effectively, the authorities are opting for an evidence-based approach underpinned by strengthened surveillance and monitoring.

Professor Babacar Ndoye, the WHO consultant who led the workshop, agrees that the IPC practices are well established. “I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen in Mauritius, especially in terms of training and the deployment of resources. Globally, various pandemics and COVID-19, in particular, have contributed to a high level of awareness around IPC.”

As an IPC nurse, Tina Soobhug’s responsibilities at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Rose-Belle involve monitoring the nursing staff to ensure that they are adhering to the WHO’s IPC guidelines. She has observed a gradual shift in attitudes towards IPC since the implementation of the first NAP. “Although there is still some resistance, behaviours are changing, but this requires continuous on-the-job training and awareness raising which is something that the second NAP will focus on,” she notes. “Hospital infrastructure also needs to be adapted to IPC guidelines.”

While this second National Action Plan is being developed, work on IPC continues. In September 2024, for example, WHO Mauritius and the MOHW conducted a weeklong training on sterilization practices and the organization of Central Sterile Services Departments to ensure that the health workforce is increasingly equipped to implement IPC guidelines as well as the forthcoming action plan.  This training followed a thorough assessment of sterilization practices in Mauritius conducted in July by a WHO expert.

As the WR, Dr Anne Ancia, highlighted at the opening of the IPC NAP workshop, IPC is an essential pre-requisite for achieving quality health care. With the development of its second NAP, Mauritius is putting in place the right conditions to prevent and control infections, and to protect the health of patients and health care workers alike.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Mauritius.

In a landmark event underscoring its commitment to bolstering public health infrastructure and technical capacities, Zanzibar with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched its National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS). This comprehensive five-year strategy aims to fortify the island’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies, drawing on insights from the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities.

The NAPHS, with a substantial budget of TZS 50.6 billion, marks a pivotal step in addressing the gaps identified by the JEE and implementing its key recommendations. The plan enhances Zanzibar’s health security through improved coordination among government ministries, relevant departments, and non-governmental organizations.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Country Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, articulated the significance of the plan: The launch of the NAPHS is a significant achievement. WHO is proud to support this crucial step towards a robust health security framework, addressing immediate needs and laying the groundwork for long-term resilience.”

The development of the NAPHS reflects a collaborative approach, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary teams and resource mobilization to tackle health security challenges. The plan includes a detailed operational plan and monitoring tools to ensure effective implementation and regular evaluation through the IHR Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings.

According to the Minister of State- Second Vice-President (Policy, Coordination and House of Representatives) Mr Hamza Hassan Juma “The success of the NAPHS relies on the collective efforts of all stakeholders. By working together, we can create a more integrated and effective health security system, enhancing our ability to manage public health threats and protect our community.”

The launch of the NAPHS symbolizes Zanzibar’s dedication to a stronger and more resilient public health system. With this plan, Zanzibar is poised to enhance its preparedness for health emergencies, ensuring the well-being of its population contributing to global health security and paving the way for a safer and healthier future.

The Director of Preventive Service and Health Promotion on behalf of the principal secretary of the ministry of Health Dr. Slim Salim noted the need for continued support: “We are grateful to WHO for their ongoing collaboration. However, more partners are needed to contribute and support the successful implementation of the NAPHS for a healthier future for Zanzibar.”

The launch event included two key meetings. The first was a high-level session where Principal Secretaries and other senior officials were oriented with the NAPHS. This meeting ensured alignment with the plan’s objectives and facilitated high-level support.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization – United Republic of Tanzania.