UNICEF, WHO Charge Countries to increase funding for Breastfeeding

…Nigeria not among 23 countries that have achieved exclusive breastfeeding rates 
Rebecca Ejifoma
For countries to achieve many Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3 and 4, the Global Breastfeeding Collective, co-led by the United Nations Children Fund and World Health Organisation, is calling on countries to increase funding to raise breastfeeding rates from birth through two years; fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and relevant World.

This is as the organisations noted that breastfeeding is critical for the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals. It improves nutrition (SDG2), prevents child mortality and decreases the risk of non-communicable diseases (SDG3), and supports cognitive development and education (SDG4). Breastfeeding is also an enabler to ending poverty, promoting economic growth and reducing inequalities.

According to the Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, "Breastfeeding gives babies the best possible start in life. "Breastmilk works like a baby’s first vaccine, protecting infants from potentially deadly diseases and giving them all the nourishment they need to survive and thrive."

Observed every August 1 through seven with the theme for this year, 'Sustain Breastfeeding Together', the DG disclosed that the investment case shows that in five of the world’s largest emerging economies — China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Nigeria — the lack of investment in breastfeeding results in an estimated 236,000 child deaths per year and US$119 billion in economic losses.

"Globally, investment in breastfeeding is far too low. Each year, governments in lower- and middle-income countries spend approximately US$250 million on breastfeeding promotion; and donors provide only an additional US$85 million," Ghebreyesus said.

Therefore, the Global Breastfeeding Collective is calling on countries to: increase funding to raise breastfeeding rates from birth through two years; fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions through strong legal measures that are enforced and independently monitored by organisations free from conflicts of interest.

Others are: Enact paid family leave and workplace breastfeeding policies, building on the International Labour Organisation’s maternity protection guidelines as a minimum requirement, including provisions for the informal sector; implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in maternity facilities, including providing breastmilk for sick and vulnerable newborns; improve access to skilled breastfeeding counselling as part of comprehensive breastfeeding policies and programmes in health facilities.

Adadevoh’s HealthTrust Combats Epidemic Outbreak with Liberia, US

Rebecca Ejifoma 

In celebration of its third year anniversary since the conquer of Ebola in Lagos State in 2014, the Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (DRASA) HealthTrust has set up a team of stakeholders from Liberia and the United States to begin the process of designing a simulation training programme for infectious diseases and prevent epidemic outbreak. 

The team of six stakeholders at the conference in VI Lagos included: the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; Executive Director, Partnerships Public Health and Scientific Affairs, Merck & Co. Inc, Dr Joan Benson; Vice Dean and Director, Centre For Global Health/Prof Of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School Of Medicine, Uni Of Pennsylvania, Dr Glen Gaulton; Director, Hygeia Nig. Ltd.& Director For West Africa Investments, Investment Funds For Health In Africa (IFHA) Mrs. Fola Laoye. 

Others are: Founder and CEO, Merit Healthcare Ltd, Dr Lolu Ojo; Senior Health Specialist, International Finance Corporation (IFC)/World Bank, Dr Olumide Okunola, and Professor of Public Health and Consultant Community Physician, LASUCOM, Visiting Professor, Dept Of Community Medicine, College Of Medicine, University Of Ibadan, Prof Muyiwa Odusanya. 


“Today’s conference in partnership with Quramo Conferences was set up to have discussion to have a very important topic on preparedness because we know there will be another outbreak some time in the future. It doesn’t have to be Ebola, it could be fever, meningitis or Zika. There are so many things out there. So, we want to help ensure that collectively we are prepared for what might come next,” Dr Ama Adadevoh, Deputy Manager of DRASA, said. 

According to her, the idea is to proffer panacea and preventive measures now. “We have come to have a discussion on what their concerns are and the way forward. It’s going to be a collaborative effort. We can’t sit back and wait for government to do everything. The private sector, other entities need to engaged in and support the government and collectively we can sure that we are ready.” 

WHO Charges Countries to Turn Commitment into Action against Hepatitis

…Summit to hold in November in Brazil
Rebecca Ejifoma

New World Health Organisation (WHO) data from 28 countries – representing approximately 70% of the global hepatitis burden – indicate that efforts to eliminate hepatitis are gaining momentum.

Published to coincide with World Hepatitis Day 2017, the data reveal that nearly all 28 countries have established high-level national hepatitis elimination committees (with plans and targets in place) and more than half have allocated dedicated funding for hepatitis responses.

On World Hepatitis Day, WHO is calling on countries to continue to translate their commitments into increased services to eliminate hepatitis. This week, WHO has also added a new generic treatment to its list of WHO-prequalified hepatitis C medicines to increase access to therapy, and is promoting prevention through injection safety: a key factor in reducing hepatitis B and C transmission.

From commitment to Action
"It is encouraging to see countries turning commitment into action to tackle hepatitis." WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.
"Identifying interventions that have a high impact is a key step towards eliminating this devastating disease. Many countries have succeeded in scaling-up the hepatitis B vaccination. Now we need to push harder to increase access to diagnosis and treatment."

This year's theme, "Eliminate Hepatitis" is to mobilise intensified action towards the health targets in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. In 2016, the World Health Assembly endorsed WHO’s first global health sectors strategy on viral hepatitis to help countries scale up their responses.


However, the new WHO data show that more than 86% of countries reviewed have set national hepatitis elimination targets and more than 70% have begun to develop national hepatitis plans to enable access to effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care services. Furthermore, nearly half of the countries surveyed are aiming for elimination through providing universal access to hepatitis treatment. But WHO is concerned that progress needs to speed up.

Healthymagination Addresses Maternal, Child Health in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa

Rebecca Ejifoma

GE And Santa Clara University’s Miller Centre for Social Entrepreneurship has launched the second cohort of healthymagination Mother and Child Programme that will receive training and mentorship aimed at improving and accelerating maternal and child health outcomes in Africa.

The programme, by GE and Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, aims to continue to accelerate health innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the Executive Director of healthmagination, Robert Wells, solving local health challenges calls for locally-adapted interventions and innovations, and Social Entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa are playing a major role in this regard.

“The healthymagination Mother and Child programme will continue to provide them with mentorship and in-depth training, accelerating health innovation and furthering our goal to increase the quality, access and affordability of maternal and child health,” he said.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Thane Kreina expressed that GE’s mission to work on better health for more people is evidenced by their continuing partnership to help social enterprises scale their impact.
Continuing, he affirmed that this cohort’s impact aligned with the target indicators for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3. “Miller Center is honored such amazing social enterprises applied to this Mother & Child accelerator programme.”

APO Calls for Entry from Journalists to Win invitation

Rebecca Ejifoma
APO Group has announced the launch of its prize draw for journalists to win an invitation to the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) 2017 to hold in Rwanda from October 10 to 12.

The prize draw reflects the company’s DNA and commitment to supporting journalism in Africa by responding to one of the biggest challenges local professionals face: resources constraints and limited networking opportunities. The winner will fly to Kigali, Rwanda, to participate in the prestigious hotel investment conference, on October 10 to 12 this year.

To win the invitation to the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), click on: http://APO.af/RheaYK

Every year since 2011, the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) gathers top-tier international hotel investors, key industry players, Governments as well as National representatives at a single place. A unique moment for meeting counterparts and gaining an overview of the various perspectives on Hospitality and Aviation trends and how they will impact and shape the African industry in the future. For three days, participants are given the opportunity to attend exclusive conferences conducted by key influencers and benefit from their respective expertise.

How to Apply:

African Fruit Producers, Exporters Create AFRUIBANA in Defence of their Interests

Rebecca Ejifoma

As efforts to defend the interest of African fruit farming, fruit producers and exporters from Cameroon, the Ivory Coast and Ghana has officially launched the first Pan-Atlantic Association – Afruibana – allow fruit producers on the continent to combine their efforts with a view to having their voices heard better in international trade.

This was officially launched in Brussels Belgium during a visit by Cameroon Trade Minister, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, to European institutions on Wednesday, 19 July where representative of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) during the various Councils of Ministers addressed the banana industry.

According to Chairman of AFRUIBANA, Joseph Kono, African bananas, for historical and geographical reasons in the Ivory Coast and Cameroon, the agricultural sector makes up approximately 60% of the economy in these two countries.

“Farming is, thus, one of the main sources of jobs and income for most of the rural population. For this reason, AFRUIBANA has an essential role in reinforcing our ties with European agencies, favouring trade between Africa and Europe, promoting socioeconomic development and contributing in the fight against migration,” he expressed.

UNICEF Lauds Kuwait for $2m Support to Yemen’s Children

As the humanitarian crisis in Yemen deepens and with no end in sight, the United Nations children’s Fund (UNICEF) welcomes the latest contribution of over US$2 million from the State of Kuwait to support children affected by the acute watery diarrhoea /cholera outbreak.

UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Geert Cappelaere, in a press release issued today, said that Kuwait had been one of the largest donors to UNICEF’s work in the region. “Since 2013, Kuwait contributed nearly US$150 million allowing us to provide lifesaving assistance to children impacted by the multiple conflicts including in Iraq and Syria.”

This recent funding will be used to expand the delivery of integrated life-saving assistance through simultaneous acute watery diarrhoea and cholera treatment; water, sanitation, hygiene and nutrition support to the children of Yemen and the dissemination of information on preventative behaviour for the population at large.

Meanwhile, UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere