Dr Cory Couillard

Brazzaville, 8 April 2015 – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti has called on the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Congo to advocate with their national governments to strengthen health systems to be able to address the health challenges facing the African Region. She briefed the diplomats about the on-going Ebola epidemic in West Africa, current and emerging health threats in the WHO African Region, progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and the strategic priorities for WHO’s work in the Region for 2015-2020. The Regional Director underscored the importance of strong national health systems to be able to withstand epidemics and emergencies while delivering essential health services to people who need them most. Dr Moeti pointed out that the Ebola epidemic has had devastating impacts on families, livelihoods, security, health workforce, service delivery and overall socioeconomic development of the...

Freetown/ Brazzaville, 24 August 2015  – Ongoing efforts to get to zero Ebola cases in Sierra Leone are yielding good results. This follows a massive deployment of experts by the World Health Organization and partners, to track and break each and every transmission chain of Ebola virus disease (EVD) through linking intensive community engagement and social mobilization efforts with surveillance and contact tracing.  The tracking and breaking of transmission chains requires tremendous numbers of qualified staff to work with the communities to identify if a person has been in contact with someone infected with EVD, monitor them for symptoms for up to 21 days, and to quickly isolate and treat them in a treatment centre if symptoms develop.  “Stopping Ebola transmission chains has required rapid mobilization of human and financial resources; this has been my top priority since my appointment,” says Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.  “Over 530 highly-...

An Independent Advisory Group (IAG), comprising renowned public health experts and leaders, has endorsed the Africa Health Transformation Programme 2015–2020: a vision for universal health coverage, proposed by Dr Moeti, the World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa. At its inaugural meeting held in Johannesburg from 4-5 May 2015, the IAG congratulated the Regional Director for convening the IAG and for her vision, calling it a step in the right direction and a testimony to her personal commitment to change the work of WHO in the African Region. In her opening remarks, Dr Moeti observed that addressing the health challenges in the African Region required rethinking of the way the WHO Secretariat approaches the planning and implementation of health programmes and services in support to Member States.  It is expected that the implementation of the Transformation Programme will address the unacceptable inequities and injustices in the Region’s health development. “...

Monrovia, 22 April 2014 - The WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti has underscored the importance of involving the communities in the fight against Ebola. Speaking to residents of Zuma town, Monrovia, one of the communities which were heavily affected by the Ebola virus disease, Dr Moeti commended the high level of involvement by the community and the tremendous efforts to stop Ebola in Liberia. “We admire your courage and ability to adjust to fight the disease because of your efforts we stand here today counting down for Liberia to be declared free of Ebola,” Dr Moeti said. In her remarks, the Mayor of Monrovia Clara Mvogo appreciated the very important role the community played and she called on them to continue their positive behaviour practices for other non- Ebola related issues. Welcoming the Regional Director, Honourable Alice Wear, and Governor of New Kru town expressed her gratitude on behalf of the community to WHO and other partners for the support in re...

Nairobi, 25 February 2015  -- The WHO meeting to commemorate the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) started in Nairobi today with members and participants commending great milestones but cautioning that a lot is still needing to be done to save lives from the tobacco epidemic. The meeting attended by Member States outlines the implementation status for each state and what still remains to be done to protect African citizens from tobacco use and tobacco-related deaths. Forty-three of the 47 member states have ratified the convention, with Eritrea, South Sudan and Malawi yet to ratify. Mozambique is a signatory. The meeting which was addressed by various speakers also commended and welcomed new members, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. WHO Regional Director Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in her speech read on behalf by Kenya’s Country Representative, Dr Custodia Mandlhate, said that tobacco, a leading cause of death, illness and impoverishment, was one of the b...

Nairobi, 25 February 2015  – On 27 February, the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates 10 years of implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in the African Region. Tobacco kills an estimated 6 million people every year but the true impact remains untold due to the lag of several years between when people start using tobacco and when their health suffers. To date, 43 of 47 Member States in the WHO African Region have ratified the WHO FCTC and are implementing national tobacco policies, laws and regulations. However, much remains to be done and urgent actions are required to prevent the effects of this scourge of modern times. Besides premature death, the use of tobacco robs families of incomes, raises health care costs, and hinders economic developments. “WHO is committed to fighting this global tobacco epidemic and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control reaffirms peoples’ right to the highest standard of health.  All stakeh...

Brazzaville, 12 January 2015 –  Every day an estimated 8000 children die in sub-Saharan Africa from easily preventable or treatable illnesses. Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to provide newborns, infants and young children with the nutrients that they need while protecting them against conditions such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, and measles. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding that starts within one hour after birth and lasts until a baby is six months old. Continued breastfeeding and appropriate complementary foods should be made available for up to two years of age and beyond. In mid-2013,WHO issued new guidelines for breastfeeding and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. These recommendations were intended for use in resource-poor settings in low-and middle-income countries. Read the full press release here

Brazzaville, 5 January 2015 –  In the African Region, one in five girls have been sexually abused during childhood, with estimates from some countries placing that proportion closer to one in three. This startling statistic is highlighted in the newly released Global status report on violence prevention 2014. The report – the first of its kind – features data collected from 27 countries in the African Region and around the world. It highlights some of the key strategies for preventing sexual and intimate partner violence by promoting gender equity, creating a climate of non-tolerance for violence, and starting prevention efforts at a young age. According to the report, intimate partner violence is a significant social and public health problem affecting 36.6% of ever-partnered women in the African Region. Read the full press release here

Brazzaville, 22 December 2014 – No region needs to scale up its health systems more than Africa. People get sick and die in many cases because the systems for disease prevention and control are not in place or – if they are – they do not function properly. This is not only the case in Ebola-affected countries in West Africa but also in non-affected countries throughout the African Region. By any measure of health system function – immunization coverage, skilled birth attendance, malnutrition, and maternal and child mortality – the Region is in poor shape, despite recent improvements. In spite of all the obstacles, a unique opportunity exists for governments to produce and implement bold strategies that can have large health and economic benefits. This is especially true for the countries affected by Ebola. Read the full press release

Brazzaville, 17 December 2014 -  According to a new WHO report, one third of all neonatal deaths occur in the African Region. Approximately three quarters of these deaths occur during the first week of life and almost half within the first 24 hours.  The first 28 days of life, called the neonatal period, is a very risky period for babies. For every newborn baby that dies, another 20 will face illness or disability from conditions such as birth injury, infection, the inability to breathe normally after birth, neonatal tetanus, congenital anomalies, and the complications of premature birth. Too many babies are also being born to mothers who have not had adequate nutrition and antenatal care during pregnancy and who were not given skilled care during the birthing process. These mothers are at the greatest risk of dying during or after delivery – leaving newborns at an even greater risk of dying from inadequate care and suboptimal feeding practices. According to statistic...

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net The convergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and infectious diseases (IDs) in low- and middle-income countries presents major challenges to the world’s poorest and most neglected groups of people. NCDs continue to escalate and cause hundreds of billions of dollars of loss annually despite aggressive lifestyle campaigns. A NCD is a medical condition or disease that is non-infectious and non-transmissible amongst people. NCDs may be chronic diseases of long duration and slow progression, or they may result in more rapid death such as some types stroke and heart attacks. Unknowingly to most, NCDs also include autoimmune diseases, many cancers, asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and many more. Most Low- to middle income countries has dual disease burdens of NCDs and IDs including tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and parasitic diseases. Unfortunately, experts, institutions and policies that support prevention and control of these two overa...

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Over the past twenty years, a lot has changed, and the foods that we eat are creating a sicker generation of children. Even small changes will go a long way when significant percentages of the population take part, knowing or unknowingly. As a result, we now have epidemic increases in diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cancer. The commercialization of food has forced food companies to find newer, cheaper mechanisms to increase the shelf life of food, improve color, taste and perceived nutritional value.  The result – a food system that is heavily laced with food preservatives, artificial food colorings and chemicals. Processed foods are one of the greatest dangers to one’s overall health as they provide little actual nutritional value.  These foods are commonly loaded with unhealthy sugars, salts and fats that create inflammation, spike blood sugar and elevate blood pressure. Instant noodles topped with MSG There are many ...

Image courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net Processed meats make global news once again.  A new study published in the journal BMC Medicine concluded that diets that are high in processed meats would increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Researchers said that the salt and chemicals used in preserving sausages, ham, bacon and other processed meats increased the risk of dying young in a study that included over a half of million otherwise healthy people in 10 European countries. The British Journal of Cancer (BJC) recently found processed meats to increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 38 percent as well. The data was gathered from 11 clinical trials and over 6,000 pancreatic cancer patients. Pancreatic cancer is one of the types of cancers that boast the highest mortality rate amongst all cancers. Lifestyle dictates health outcomes In total, one in every 17 people in the study died prematurely.  The statistics show that 5,500 died from heart disease and ...

Image courtesy of www.kidney.org World Kidney Day is turning into a global phenomenon.  On 14 March 2013, medical professionals, government officials, the general public, celebrities and patients will take action in local communities around the world. Past World Kidney Days have seen more than 600 events in well over 90 countries. World Kidney Day is a joint initiative between the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations. They report that fewer than 1 in 10 people are aware that regular kidney checks are a vital health tool in the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. Vast prevention efforts are underway to curb the millions that die prematurely of heart attacks and strokes associated with kidney disease.  Being proactive is the key as 1 in 5 people with kidney failure are only referred to a specialist when their kidneys have already failed and their prognosis is poor. Kidney disease becoming more common It’s...

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Doctors are reporting that a child born with HIV that was put on an unusually aggressive treatment regimen has been functionally cured of the infection. Using the most sensitive HIV testing available, they were able to find only trace amounts of HIV "particles" but no virus capable of replicating, the research team reported. "If there is a trial that shows this can happen again, then this will be very important," said Dr. Karin Nielsen, a pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. "You'll be able to treat people very intensively and reverse the disease." The news provides no answers for adults living with HIV but it can be a landmark victory in the health of future generations. Every year, 300,000 to 400,000 babies are born infected with HIV according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases.   The ...

It’s well known that unnecessary salt intake is associated with high blood pressure in the adult population.  However, there is now evidence that supports excessive salt consumption will influence blood pressure, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, stomach cancer and obesity in children as well. Although the older population and certain ethnic groups are at immediate risk, the youth are at the greatest risk of health-related problems due to salt intake.  Salt intake is similar to other cumulative risk factors such as obesity, tobacco and alcohol use – the longer you abuse it, the greater the risk. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide totaling 17.3 million deaths per year according to the World Health Organization (WHO).  Salt intake is directly linked to the main cause of strokes, heart attacks and heart failures.  It’s also known to produce kidney disease, kidney stones, obesity and exacerbating the symptoms of ast...