From April 23rd to 25th, 2024, animal health experts from some Africa countries have convened in Naivasha, Kenya, for a key meeting aimed at formulating African positions for the upcoming 91st General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Hosted by AU-IBAR, and funded by USDA, this gathering brings together experts in veterinary medicine and animal health policy to address pressing issues facing the continent’s livestock and aquatic resources.

The formulation of African positions for the 91st General Session of WOAH holds immense significance for several reasons:

•    By formulating African positions, the continent ensures that its unique challenges, priorities, and perspectives are effectively represented and advocated for on the global stage. This allows African countries to voice their concerns and influence decision-making processes regarding international animal health standards and policies.

•    Africa is home to diverse ecosystems and socio-economic conditions, which necessitate tailored approaches to animal health management. Formulating African positions enables countries to address regional priorities and specific challenges, such as endemic diseases, climate change impacts, and limited resources, in a coordinated manner.

•    The formulation of African positions promotes equity and inclusivity in global animal health governance. By actively participating in the development of international standards, African countries contribute to creating a level playing field where the needs and interests of all regions, regardless of their economic status or resources, are considered.

•    Engaging in the formulation of African positions fosters collaboration and capacity building among African countries. Through sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices, nations can strengthen their veterinary services, surveillance systems, and response mechanisms, ultimately enhancing their ability to prevent and control animal diseases.

•    Animal health is intricately linked to human well-being, livelihoods, and food security. By advocating for robust animal health standards and practices, African countries protect the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers and pastoralists who rely on livestock for their sustenance and income. Moreover, ensuring the health and welfare of animals contributes to safe and sustainable food production systems.

The agenda over the course of the three days comprises an overview of past WOAH discussions, group discussions to draft African positions on terrestrial and aquatic animal health standards, deliberation of strategic issues including WOAH leadership and representation, review and refinement of draft positions, continuation of formulation sessions and, formulation of positions for the September 2024 Specialist Commission meetings, and concluding with recommendations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has inaugurated a three-day workshop from April 23rd to 25th, 2024, focusing on the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU). While the workshop primarily aims to validate the WENDU 2023 data and strengthen regional responses to drug abuse challenges, it also provides an opportunity to affirm ECOWAS’s commitment to monitoring and supporting Sierra Leone amidst its declared drug abuse emergency on the use of Kush.

In her opening remarks, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, represented by the Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, highlighted the broader regional context and the specific situation in Sierra Leone. “While our focus today is on strengthening our entire region’s capacity to manage drug-related issues, we are particularly attentive to the acute challenges faced by Sierra Leone. We are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to mobilising targeted support as part of our regional strategy,” Dr Ugbe remarked.

Pharm (Mrs.) Abdulhameed Wosilat, Deputy Director/Head of the Narcotics and Drug Abuse Division at the Federal Ministry of Health/Social Welfare, and WENDU Focal Point for Nigeria, speaking on behalf of Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health&Social Welfare, reinforced the timely nature of this workshop. “Our meeting today not only seeks to advance our capabilities in data analysis and policy formulation but also to reinforce our solidarity with Sierra Leone at this critical time. Our commitment to data-driven solutions and interagency cooperation is key to our collective efforts to mitigate drug abuse throughout West Africa,” stated Prof. Pate.

The workshop aims to foster an environment of enhanced cooperation and improved data quality and access, enabling ECOWAS to develop informed policies that address both the supply and demand aspects of drug-related issues. This approach ensures a healthier and safer West African community and underscores the region’s support for Sierra Leone.

This event marks a significant step in ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse, demonstrating the region’s commitment to public health and safety through collaborative and strategic measures. The discussions and outcomes from this workshop are anticipated to significantly influence future actions and strengthen cooperation among member states, leading to more effective management of drug abuse and its associated challenges across the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to the WHO, 94% of malaria cases and 95% (580,000) of malaria deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, with children under five most severely impacted, accounting for about 80% of malaria deaths in the region.

Malaria is endemic in Cote d’Ivoire which is listed among the top 10 countries with the most cases of the disease. In 2022 the West African nation which has a population of about 28 million accounted for 3% of all malaria cases globally, according to the WHO malaria report.

In a bid to tackle the disease, a team of about 8,300 community health workers equipped with bikes have become key players in reducing malaria mortality among children under five by diagnosing and treating the disease earlier. Early diagnosis also means that children needing more comprehensive care can be referred to public health centres early enough.

Equipped with bikes and medical kits, thousands of community health workers in Cote d’Ivoire are tackling malaria by cycling between remote villages to treat children and educate families, reducing cases by up to 70% in some areas so far this year.

With progress in reducing malaria grinding to a standstill globally in recent years, the World Health Organization is using World Malaria Day 2024 on April 25 to try to again accelerate the fight against the mosquito-borne disease that kills about half a million children every year.

Community health workers like François Kouadio, 46, a father of six himself, are being supported by Save the Children and a group of local partners to make sure families impacted by malaria are reached in a timely way.

He trained as a community health worker in 2015 and runs blood tests on children to test for malaria and, if positive, treats them with paracetamol and malaria tablets. He also provides care for pregnant women in the village to make sure their risk of getting malaria is minimal.

Having a community health worker living in the same village allowed Prisca to seek help from François quickly. The early diagnosis and treatment, accompanied by François’ daily visit to the family, mean one-year-old Charlene* was saved from malaria and can enjoy playing with her brothers again.

François has been able to scale up his work in recent years due to having a bike, visiting up to eight families a day within a five-kilometre radius. He pedals along dirt roads to rural villages where brick houses stand among green forests. He checks if any children are sick, provides appropriate treatment, while raising awareness about malaria and how to prevent it.

François’s hard work and dedication has won him respect within the community, where people even call him ‘doctor’. Every ding from bells on bikes used by François and three other community health workers brings comfort to the people in the villages knowing that healthcare is accessible.

“I was so scared my daughter might die when she was sick,” Prisca said. “(But) my family could see that the medication was working, and we have confident in the treatment. The community health workers are very kind, they give us the tablets for free, and the children recover from their sickness. They do such a great job at bringing comfort to the people in the village.”

 Francois said from January to March this year, he tested 31 children with fevers, of whom 24 tested positive for malaria and received treatment. This was a massive drop from previous years.

“In the past, between 20 and 30 children were registered with malaria in a month alone, but with more awareness on malaria, almost everyone now sleeps under a mosquito net and malaria cases have dropped significantly,” he said.

François said people shy away from visiting health centres due to a lack of money, but he is dedicated to caring for children and raising awareness about how to prevent malaria after seeing too many deaths from the disease. He not only encourages people to get appropriate treatment but to also protect themselves by using mosquito nets, keeping houses clean, and covering up water storage containers.

Local radio stations are also part of Cote d’Ivoire’s drive to combat malaria, broadcasting messages about how to treat and prevent the disease. Overall, the aim in Cote d’Ivoire is to reduce malaria incidence and mortality by at least 75% by 2025 compared to 2015.

Malaria is an illness spread by female mosquitoes infected with parasites. If untreated, it can be deadly. In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million cases of malaria worldwide, with children younger than five being the most vulnerable. The infection can also lead to substantial risks during pregnancy.

Dr Yssouf Ouattara, Save the Children’s Malaria Project Director in Cote D’Ivoire, said:

“Malaria is preventable and curable, but without access to care it can become deadly – especially for young children. Innovative community health projects like the one run by Save the Children in Cote D’Ivoire are important because the community health workers are able to see and treat children at home and in communities, leading to hugely improved results.”

Save the Children has been working in Cote D’Ivoire since 1991, working across education, health and nutrition, child protection and child rights, and to fight against child poverty. The malaria project is implemented in about 53 health districts in the country and in more than 1,270 health areas, in collaboration with six other organisations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.

Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has announced the release of about Shs93 billion to districts, cities and municipalities across the country, being the final payment from the Uganda Road Fund for this financial year.

Broken down, each of the 135 districts, 11 cities and 41 municaplities will receive Shs500 million.

Among tasked MPs with supervising the usage of the funds. “I hope you will go to your constituencies and monitor the funds,” she said in her communication to the House at the start of plenary on Wednesday, 24 April 2024.

The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, confirmed the release, which he said comes on the backdrop of complaints on the state of mainly feeder roads.

MP Francis Mwijukye (FDC, Buhweju County) cautioned against use of the funds to maintain district road equipment, saying that would ‘eat’ into funds meant for badly needed road works.

In her communication, the Speaker also condemned a news report which published unsubstantiated allegations against Parliament and MPs, with specific regard to the ongoing rationalisation process.

“MPs legislate for their constituents, for the people; nobody was bribed…how can you bribe the whole House? What did they want to achieve? Do they want the public to hate Parliament?” she said.

A section of the media carried reports of alleged impropriety on the part of MPs, which Speaker Among said made no specific references, but all the same flashed an alarmist headline which could tarnish the reputation of MPs.

She called for fair and professional reporting on Parliament by the press.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.