The World Bank announced the Central Bank of Cabo Verde (CBCV) as the second beneficiary of a multi-donor trust fund for advancing public asset management worldwide. Representatives from CBCV and the World Bank signed the technical assistance agreement, which delivers technical advisory services under the World Bank’s Reserve Advisory&Management Partnership (RAMP) program.

Announced in October, the trust fund brings the World Bank’s public asset management expertise to lower-income, fragile, or conflict-affected countries that could not otherwise afford it. CBCV becomes the 75th member of the Partnership’s global network of public asset managers and second beneficiary of the trust fund.

“A warm welcome to the Central Bank of Cabo Verde as the newest RAMP member supported by the trust fund,” said Jorge Familiar, World Bank Vice President&Treasurer. “We are grateful for the continuous support and generosity of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) to share our asset management expertise, expanding RAMP’s global impact.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation, Sergei Naryshkin, and his accompanying delegation. The meeting was attended by Director of the General Intelligence Service, Major General Abbas Kamel.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Dr. Ahmed Fahmy, said the meeting focused on the regional situation, primarily ways to achieve stability in the Middle East amid the crisis in the Gaza Strip and the escalating tension in the region. They also touched on a number of African issues, counterterrorism efforts, as well as the latest developments on the international arena, especially in Ukraine and Afghanistan. 

The meeting also reviewed Egypt’s efforts to calm the situation in the region through its engagement with all parties, affirming Egypt’s vision regarding the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unfettered flow of sufficient humanitarian aid and relief, as fundamental steps to defuse regional tension. Egypt’s stance also envisages the crucial need to reach a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, and the establishment of the Palestinian state, along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East.

The two sides emphasized their commitment to continuing consultations and coordination between the two countries on various dossiers, given their outstanding historical relations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

It’s early morning, but Soba Arão Moma, a traditional leader in Benfica neighbourhood in Huambo province, Angola, is already interacting with residents and handing out leaflets. His mission is clear: to ensure everyone is fully informed about the meningitis outbreak affecting Angola’s Huambo province and that no sick children are at home unattended when they should be in hospital.

Moma was part of a critical collaboration by the World Health Organization (WHO), Angola’s Health Ministry, and the European Union to halt an alarming surge in meningitis cases in the province last year, reduce mortality rates, and boost healthcare capacity.

Between January and December 2023, Angola recorded a significant increase in suspected cases of meningitis, with 68,169 cases and 169 deaths. The high case fatality rate of 40% among the 336 cases reported in Huambo province means that it has accounted for almost 80% of deaths countrywide.

In general, Huambo province has been the focus of intervention to control a possible outbreak in the country since between January and December 2023, Angola recorded a significant increase in suspected cases of meningitis, with 68,169 cases and 169 deaths, of which 336 cases were reported in Huambo province, with a fatality rate of over 40%. This mortality rate is relatively high when compared to the average number of deaths recorded in the countries considered part of the meningitis belt in the WHO African region, of which Angola is not part.

Between January and May 2023, the province recorded 103 meningitis cases, resulting in 42 deaths, with a concerning 41% fatality rate. Medication shortages, healthcare personnel, and health facility understaffing exacerbated Huambo province’s meningitis outbreak. To ensure an effective response and safeguard high-risk populations, a 20-day joint response mission to Huambo aimed to enhance the functionality of local health systems, improve infrastructure and medication availability, and bolster human resources.

Critical outcomes of joint efforts included training 37 healthcare technicians in risk communication and community engagement, training 30 journalists in how to communicate for meningitis prevention and response, engaging 595 community leaders, and training 1548 social mobilisers and community leaders like Moma to disseminate critical messages broadly.

“We never tired of walking the streets, passionate about conveying the crucial message to everyone that if they experienced symptoms of meningitis, they should seek immediate assistance at their nearest health facility,” recalls Moma.

The experts supported local meningitis education initiatives, identified high-risk groups, and advocated with local leaders to disseminate critical messages while conducting assessments to rapidly investigate the social factors impacting meningitis prevention.

Provincial health director Lucas Yamba says, “We have been able to count on the support of the Directorate of Public Health in this regard, with the excellent partnership of WHO.”

Through collaborative efforts involving the community, churches and traditional authorities, information about meningitis prevention and treatment was widely disseminated in healthcare facilities and communities.

“We gave talks to churches on Saturdays and Sundays, while here [at the health centre] in each of the service areas, our users also received information about meningitis,” said Martins Canuela, a technician at the Benfica Baixo health facility located in Moma’s neighbourhood.

According to Yamba, because of the push to bring the outbreak under control, mortality rates from meningitis in the last months of 2023 had decreased from 53% to 35%.

While significant strides had been made to address the meningitis crisis in Huambo, including increased awareness and reduced mortality rates, ongoing support was crucial to sustain these achievements, says Dr Yoti Zabulon, WHO Acting Representative in Angola.

“By continuing to work together and leverage partnerships, we can ensure that all communities have access to quality health care services and can effectively manage preventable diseases like meningitis,” he says.

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

Ethiopia has taken a significant step forward in fortifying its emergency response capabilities through the implementation of the One Health Rapid Response Team (OHRRT) training. Organized by key stakeholders including the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the National One Health Steering Committee. 

This initiative demonstrates Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health.

Took place from March 20-22, 2024, in Addis Ababa, the training brought together over 50 participants from national and subnational levels, representing various regions across Ethiopia. These focused capacity-building sessions aim to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively respond to health emergencies.

Dr. Eshetu Wassie, speaking on behalf of WHO Ethiopia EPR Team Lead and WHO Representative OIC, Dr. Patrick ABOK, emphasized the importance of practical skills, adaptability, and a commitment to saving lives in building a prepared workforce.

By integrating One Health principles, which amalgamate human, animal, and environmental data, Ethiopia is enhancing its surveillance systems and preparedness against emerging health threats. This collaborative effort underscores the government’s dedication to strengthening the nation’s public health infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.

The OHRRT training serves as a testament to Ethiopia’s proactive measures in addressing public health challenges. As the nation continues to invest in emergency preparedness and response, it stands poised to effectively mitigate health threats and safeguard the health and well-being of its population.

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