Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

.

Vaccination of frontline health workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola virus disease has begun in Bulape health zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province where an outbreak of the disease has been declared.

An initial 400 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine—from the country’s stockpile of 2000 doses prepositioned in the capital Kinshasa—have been delivered to Bulape, one of the current hotspots of the outbreak. Additional doses will be delivered to the affected localities in the coming days.

The vaccine is being administered through ring vaccination strategy, which entails vaccinating individuals at highest risk of infection after having come into contact with a patient confirmed with the virus. It is also recommended for health care and frontline workers responding to the outbreak who may be in contact with Ebola patients. The Ervebo vaccine is safe and protects against the Zaire ebolavirus species, which has been confirmed as the cause of the ongoing outbreak. 

The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has approved around 45 000 additional Ebola vaccine doses to be shipped to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the ongoing outbreak response. WHO supported the health authorities to develop the request for additional doses, and with partners, including UNICEF, also supported the development of a vaccination plan for the rollout of the doses. Vaccination teams are also being trained in data collection and receiving field support.

In addition to the vaccines, treatment courses of the monoclonal antibody therapy (Mab114) drug have also been sent to treatment centres in Bulape for clinical care. 

On the ground, WHO has so far deployed 48 experts in disease surveillance, clinical care, infection prevention and control, logistics and community engagement who, along with partner organizations, are supporting the government to rapidly strengthen outbreak response measures to halt the spread of the virus.

In countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo, WHO is working with national authorities to bolster operational readiness to enable rapid detection of cases and prompt initiation of measures to curb further spread.

WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by the ongoing outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Democratic Republic of Congo.

Source: APO – Report:

.

Nigeria is prioritizing adolescent health, well-being and development through multisectoral collaboration, in line with the National Health Sector Strategic blueprint and National policy on Health and development of Adolescent and young people. This was the central message of the National Policy Dialogue on the Future of the Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Development (AYSRH&D), which convened key diverse stakeholders in Abuja to chart a unified path for adolescent health and well-being in the country. The event underscored the power of multisectoral collaboration and meaningful adolescents and youth engagement in shaping sustainable national programmes.

What Happened and Why It Matters

The two-day dialogue, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, was convened by the Society for Family Health in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and the State Ministries of Health from Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, and Nasarawa.

The event brought together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including representatives from Ward Development Committees across the four states, members of the Nigeria National Assembly, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nigeria Governors Forum, Nigeria Health Watch, youth-led organizations, traditional institutions, and private sector partners. 

The goal was to make adolescent and youth health a central part of Nigeria’s development plans. By working together, ministries and partners aim to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s young population and achieve long-term national growth.

WHO played a key role by sharing two important tools:

• The Framework for Multisectoral Actions on Adolescent Health
• The Meaningful Adolescent and Youth Engagement (MAYE) Framework

These tools helped guide discussions and emphasized the importance of involving young people in decision-making and programme implementation—at both national and local levels.

Purpose and Strategic Importance

The dialogue aimed to:

• Build agreement and commitment to prioritize adolescent and youth health and development (AYHD)
• Identify gaps and share evidence and key sights from the implementation of A360 and discuss opportunities for institutionalizing adolescent and youth-centred design approaches into the national and subnational AYHD Progrommnes 
• Strengthen coordination between ministries and sectors
• Encourage partnerships among government, civil society, youth groups, traditional leaders, and private sector organizations

This initiative is aligned to  WHO’s global guidance, AA-HA! 2.0, and contributes to achieving Universal Health Coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and regional commitments to adolescent health.

WHO’s Contributions

During the event, WHO presented a technical paper outlining its Framework for Multisectoral Collaboration and Accountability, a tool designed to help countries develop and implement effective adolescent health programmes. This framework served as a foundation for discussions on strengthening national approaches to adolescent health.

In addition, drawing from Nigeria’s experience, WHO shared valuable insights gained from the application of the AA-HA! (Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents) guidance since 2020. These included the review of national policy and implementation plans, the development of monitoring and evaluation tools, and support for programme rollout in Edo and Katsina States.

Dr Joy Ufere-Isikima, WHO Technical Officer for Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Primary Health Care, highlighted the importance of integrated programmes and community-level action. WHO’s support helped revitalized State Adolescent Health and Development Technical Working Groups and developed LGA-level workplans in two states.

UNICEF supported to expand the approach to 9 more states, demonstrating the growing momentum and commitment to adolescent health across Nigeria.

Key Outcomes

• Strong commitment from stakeholders to improve adolescent and youth health and development
• Agreement to leverage on multisectoral collaboration and accountability frameworks
• Recognition of the vital role of young people in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating AYHD programmes
• Development of commitment statements to guide future policies and actions

Voices from the Dialogue

“When young people are meaningfully involved in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programmes designed for us, it helps improve our health and well-being.” — Margaret Bolaji, Executive Director, Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative

“This event comes at a very critical time in our nation’s history… under the strong leadership of the Coordinating Hon. Minister of Health and Social Welfare.” — Dr Binyerem Ukaire, Director, Family Health Department

“Healthy young people are better positioned to contribute meaningfully to national development.” — Mr Emmanuel Essien, Representative of the Hon. Minister of Youth Development

Next Steps

The dialogue led to an endorsed commitment statements with a shared vision from all stakeholders to accelerate efforts in the implementation Adolescent and youth Health and development programming focused at the subnational levels.  WHO will continue to provide technical support and help Nigeria strengthen its adolescent health systems. Ensuring that young people’s voices remain central to policy and programme development is a top priority.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.

Source: APO

From September 14 to 15, 2025, Casablanca (Morocco) will host the Investors’ Roundtable of the Central African Republic, under the high patronage of His Excellency President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and with the support of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This major pan-African event marks a strategic milestone in mobilizing technical and financial partners around the Central African Republic’s National Development Plan (PND).

As a true platform for dialogue and cooperation, the Roundtable aims to strengthen public-private partnerships, attract structuring investments, and fast-track the implementation of key economic recovery projects. It is part of a broader effort to build investor confidence and stimulate inclusive growth in the Central African Republic.

Casablanca Roundtable: A Catalyst for Recovery and Cooperation

The stakes of this gathering are significant. The event will showcase the priority projects of the PND across strategic sectors such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, health, governance, and innovation.

It also provides an opportunity to foster regional and international cooperation while positioning the Central African Republic as an active player in Africa’s economic transformation.

Africa24 Exclusive Editorial Coverage

Africa24 Group, the leading pan-African media network, will deploy an unprecedented audiovisual and digital set-up to capture the event:

• Live broadcasts of plenary sessions and official addresses.
   
• Exclusive interviews with financial partners, Heads of State, and private sector leaders.
   
• In-depth reports from Casablanca at the heart of strategic discussions and key announcements.
   
• Analytical insights into the economic outlook of the PND, investor mobilization, and the future of development in the Central African Republic.

Follow the Investors’ Roundtable with Africa24

Full coverage will be available live, in replay, and on demand via:

• AFRICA24 (French, Channel 249) and AFRICA24 English (Channel 254) on Canal+ Afrique
   
• MyAfrica24 App (Google Play)
   
• Website: www.Africa24TV.com with exclusive reports, interviews, and special features

With Africa24 Group, Together, let’s transform Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AFRICA24 Group.

Source: APO

.

The Ministry of Education branch in Senafe sub-zone, in collaboration with the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch, has presented the ‘Soira’ Award to 71 outstanding students who achieved a GPA between 3.0 and 4.0 in the 2024/2025 national school-leaving examination. The awardees are members of the 37th round of the national service.

At the award ceremony held on 12 September, Mr. Omeredin Mohammed, head of the education office in the sub-zone, stated that encouraging outstanding students is a moral responsibility. He also called on the awardees to avoid negative peer influence and to work harder for even greater success in their college education.

Mr. Omeredin, indicating that the award plays a significant role in motivating other students to excel in their academic careers, wished the awardees much success in their future studies.

Noting that the achievement was the result of the students’ strong efforts, as well as support from their parents and teachers, Mr. Berhane Yohannes, head of pedagogy at the education office branch, urged the awardees to become role models in their future academic pursuits.

Mr. Idris Ali Shiker, administrator of the sub-zone, emphasized that the award is part of broader efforts to enhance the quality of education and student performance. He also called for increased participation in addressing challenges within the teaching and learning process.

The awardees, in turn, expressed their appreciation for the encouragement and affirmed their commitment to work hard and remain competitive in their college education.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.