Events & Activities

Event

ASEOWA, Sierra Leone Boosted by an Additional 103 Clinical and Medical Health Wo

5 December 2014

ASEOWA, SIERRA LEONE BOOSTED BY AN ADDITIONAL 103 CLINICAL AND MEDICAL HEALTH WORKERS

Lungi, Sierra Leone, 5 December 2014: The African Union Support to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA), Sierra Leone, has received an additional 103 clinical and medical volunteers. The new team, made up of Nigerians arrived at the Lungi International Airport at 2:25 pm on the 5th of December. They were received by Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, H.E. (Mrs.) Gladys M. Quist-Adebiyi, Sierra Leonean Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Foday Sesay, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. (Mrs.) Ebun Strasser-King, Regional Coordinator, Northern Province of the National Ebola Response Commission (NERC), Mr. M.A. Jallow, the District Coordinator of the NERC (Port Loko), Mr. Raymond Kambia and ASEOWA Deputy Head of Mission, Dr. Richard Ssekitoleko.

The team led by the Director General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Prof. A. Nasidi, was deployed following two days orientations conducted by the African Union in Lagos, Nigeria.

In her welcoming remarks, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone lauded the concerted efforts in the fight against Ebola and in particular the contribution of the medical personnel, remarking on the enormous capacity both in human and material value that the Nigerian Government has brought to tackle the scourge. “I want to emphasize that this team did not come alone but also with mobile laboratories and lab technicians, an expression of the seriousness of this deployment. We know that sooner rather than later we will kick Ebola out of Sierra Leone,” she added.

Prof. A. Nasidi disclosed that the deployment was part of the comprehensive support of Nigerian Government that also includes continuous technical manpower development and cross-fertilization of expertise that will witness training of 12 Sierra Leoneans at the NCDC. He noted the significant addition that the federated states of Nigeria have made to the deployment, in a bid to beat and be ahead of the virus.

“One of the few lessons we learnt in Nigeria and how we successfully kicked Ebola out of Nigeria is by coordinating responses not only as a case sector activity but a total package that encompasses mobilizing the public about the disease, taking care of the patient and taking care of the environment where the virus is spreading to,” he mentioned.

As part of the ongoing African Union support to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the AU Commission has made an initial deployment of 87 clinical, medical and logistical personnel to the affected Member States, 31 of whom were deployed to Sierra Leone. The team has since been redeployed into the various pillars - Case Management, Epidemiology/Surveillance, Logistics, Psychosocial and Social Mobilization - set up by the Government of Sierra Leone. In partnership with the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Health, ASEOWA team is coordinating the management of the newly opened ETU in Magbenteh, Bombali District. The latest arrival is expected to consolidate on the achievements of ASEOWA and also backstop the health sector in Sierra Leone.

Welcoming the volunteers, the Deputy Head of Mission, on behalf of the Head of Mission expressed appreciation to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, African Union and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone for the holistic approach to combat of the disease outbreak in Sierra Leone. “You are joining a team of 31 AU medical experts already involved in the EVD fight, operating in the Northern District of Bombali at the level of the various pillars set up by the Government. We are confident that your addition to the team already on ground will further strengthen our capacity and elevate our collective achievements,” he added.

The African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa through the Executive Council Decision at its Sixteenth Extraordinary Session held on 8th September 2014 in Addis Ababa has been deploying medicaland human resource capacities in response to the Ebola Virus Outbreak in West Africa.

For Further Information on the AU response to the Ebola outbreak contact:

Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Temitope Famuyide, Humanitarian Affairs Officer

ASEOWA, Bombali, Sierra Leone

tpfamuyide@gmail.com+232 76796445

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Event

10th African International Media Summit (AIMS)

2 December 2014

MEDIA ALERT

10th African International Media Summit (AIMS)

Mobilizing Media: Re-Writing the Narrative on Ebola Through a Responsible and

Coordinated Effort.

"We are conscious of the urgent need for all of us to do more, and to act faster."

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, African Union Commission Chairperson

The African Union Commission (AUC) and UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have joined with the African Communications Agency (ACA) to host the 10th Annual African International Media Summit (AIMS) at the AUC Conference Center in Addis Ababa under the theme "MOBILIZING MEDIA: Re-Writing The Narrative on Ebola Through Responsible and Coordinated Efforts" on December 4th and 5th from 0900h to 1600h. Panel discussions, media training and Skype conferencing with journalists on the frontline of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) crisis in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone will also be included.

According to ACA Vice-Chair Dr. Erieka Bennett, "We need to highlight some of the untold stories and unsung African heroes in the battle against EVD."

“We are appreciative of this joint effort to coordinate the media around the coverage of the EVD crisis. As you may know, the AU is fully engaged with the deployment of health workers under its African Union Support to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) and we need to tell this African story”, said Mrs. Wynne Musabayana, the AUC’s communications lead on the EVD epidemic.

Consistent with Dr. Zuma's call for a concerted effort across all sectors of African society to defeat EVD, the goal of the 10th AIMS is to provide a platform for journalists, public sector and civil society stakeholders to explore the role and impact of conventional and social media on the EVD crisis. Expected outcomes include effective strategies for media reporting, which may assist in re-writing the negative narrative. African journalist CAN report balanced stories of a developing continent attempting to act in solidarity, from government to grass roots, to defeat the deadly virus.

"(We are in) a fight against stigma...we must arrest the infection of perception with a sense of urgency." Dr. Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

REGISTRATION AND CONTACT INFORMATION:

Michelle Okai, ACA, Accra, Ghana – +233-(0)302 780 218 info@africaninternationalmediasummit.com

Dr. Desta Meghoo, ACA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – +251 (0)91 186 4677 desta_meghoo@yahoo.com

SKYPE – africaninternationalmediasummit. Join us on Twitter @africaintmedsum and Facebook

African International Media Summit – AIMS. Space is limited so please register soon. All participating

journalists must be accredited with the African Union Commission.

Event

Send off ceremony of a 250 member Nigerian health corps to Ebola affected countr

2 December 2014

AU Sends additional 250 Health Experts to Ebola Affected Countries

Partners with Mobile Operators to launch AfricaAgainstEbola SMS campaign

Lagos, Nigeria 3rdDecember, 2014 – As part of the African Union’s effort to stop the Ebola disease in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, two hundred and fifty (250) health volunteers from the Federal Republic of Nigeria were given a send off ceremony on 3rd December in Lagos before deployment to the affected countries. The Nigerian health contingent will be part of the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) operations already deployed in the three countries.

The medics were assembled by the Federal Government of Nigeria in response to the appeal made by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma for Member States to contribute health personnel to join the fight against Ebola. The team comprises medical doctors, nurses and other medical and paramedical personnel and epidemiologists.

Meanwhile, at the historic ceremony, the AU Commission in collobaration with mobile telecom operators and other private sector companies, launched an sms campaign, as part of the resource mobilization efforts to support the ASEOWA operations. The SMS campaign aims to mobilise citizens across the Continent to contribute in the fight against Ebola by texting “StopEbola” to 7979 and donating one USD per message. The funds raised will be used for the training and deploymentof further ASEOWA personnel. The AU is targetting to deploy more than 1000 volunteers before the end of the year.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Dlamini Zuma expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Nigeria for contributing health professionals to the fight to Ebola. She called for a united front against Ebola and encouraged that “ we must not relent as long as Ebola remains a real threat to our existence”. The AU Chairperson futher appealed for the resumption of flights to the affected countries so as to end the isolation and stigmatization of the three countries. Finally, she appealed to all citizens of the Continent to contribute to the AfricaAgainstEbola campaign.

The Executive Chairman of Econet Wireless Mr Strive Masiyiwa lauded the African Union foe acting decisively to defeat Ebola. “It is appropriate that at a time when we are facing a medical crisis, we have able leadership in the form of Dr Dlamini Zuma”.

The Nigerian Minister of Health Dr Khaliru Alhassan, speaking on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan assured the AU of Nigeria’s commitment in the fight against Ebola and that the country will continue to play a leadership role and share the country’s experiences on stopping the disease.

Speaking on behalf of the private sector and introducing the AfricaAgainstEbola initiative, businessman Mr. Aliko Dangote called for the mobilsation of every resource and appealed to “every African citizen to contribute by SMS to the fight to stop Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone”. I want to thank all the GMS operators for making this possible” he concluded. It will recalled that during the Africa business round table conference in Addis Ababa last month, thirty two and a half million USD was contributed by the private sector across the continent.

AU Commissioner of Social Affairs Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko appraised the meeting of the AU intervention since April 2014 to date. He highlighted the decisions made by the AU structures and key deployments that have been made to the three affected countries.

At present, the AU has deployed hundreds of health experts in the three most affected countries to fight the Ebola disease. Due to the high demand for more personnel needed to join the fight against Ebola, Member States have responded favourably to the AU Chairperon’s appeal for more contribution of health personnel to the AU team. In a related development, another 210 health volunteers from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and 52 from the Democratic Republic of Congo, will be deployed to the sub region in a fortnight under the ASEOWAoperations.

For further information contact

About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision:to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peacewith itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable,efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

Event

250 Nigerian Health Professionals to be Deployed to the Ebola Afected Countries

1 December 2014

250 Nigerian Health Professionals to be Deployed to the Ebola Afected Countries under the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa operations

Lagos, Nigeria 1st December, 2014 – About two hundred and fifty health volunteers from Nigeria to be deployed to Ebola affected countries under the framework of the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA), have commenced pre deployment training as part of the protocol before deployment. The contingent was assembled by the Federal Government of Nigeria in response to the appeal made by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in October for Member States to contribute health personnel to join the fight against Ebola.

The team, comprising medical doctors, nurses and other medical and paramedical personnel and epidemiologists will depart for the affected region on Thursday this week. On arrival the team will also undergo two weeks of intensive training before deployment.

Speaking at this groundbreaking ceremony, the AU Commission Director of Social Affairs Dr. Olawale Maiyegun expressed appreciation on behalf of Dr. Zuma to the Government and people of Nigeria for volunteering experienced health professionals in the fight against Ebola. He called for a united front against Ebola. “The African Union is appealing to you all to lend your support in ensuring that Africa is Ebola free. Let’s support the heroes working on the ground to stop this disease and save lives’, Dr. Maiyegun remarked. He further called for the isolation of the Ebola disease but not the affected countries.

In response, the Lagos State Commissioner of Health Dr. Jide Idris praised the courage of the volunteers and pointed out that Nigeria was glad to share its experience with sister African on how to stop Ebola. He however pointed out that “we contained Ebola in Nigeria but Africa is not yet out of the woods… Nigeria fully supports the AU drive to fight Ebola on the continent”.

Other speakers including the River State `Commissioner of Health Dr. Sampson Parker and the Director of the National Centre for Disease Control Professor Abdul Salami Nasidi expressed optimism that with concerted efforts Ebola can be defeated.

At present, the AU has deployed 87 health experts in the three most affected countries to fight the Ebola disease. Due to the high demand for more personnel needed to join the fight against Ebola, Member States have been responding favourably to the AU Commission Chairperon’s appeal for more contributions of health personnel to the AU team.

In a related development, another 200 health volunteers from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 52 from the Democratic Republic of Congo and 10 from Kenya will be deployed to the sub region in a fortnight under the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) operations.

For further information contact

About the African Union

Event

African Union Member States urged to increase domestic financing for health to e

30 November 2014

Press Statement

African Union Member States urged to increase domestic financing for health to end AIDS by 2030

Victoria Falls, 30 November 2014- African Union Member States were urged on Sunday to increase domestic financing to end AIDS by 2030. The high level meeting on domestic financing was jointly hosted by the African Union and the Republic of Zimbabwe on 30 November 2014 in Victoria Falls ahead of the 1 December continental World AIDS Day Celebrations. Various African countries are using different models to tap resources from existing opportunities across the continent to address the AIDS epidemic.

“I am encouraged that a decade after the Abuja commitments, various countries have begun to explore and operationalise sustainable domestic funding options, including earmarking 0.5% to 1% of ordinary government revenues to an HIV Trust Fund” said Dr. David Parirenyatwa, the Minister of Health and Child Care of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

In the last four years alone African countries have increased their domestic resources to fight AIDS by 150%. African countries are closer to reaching the agreed Abuja target of allocating 15% of their total government expenditure to health.

“African countries are now taking advantage of the blossoming of Africa’s economies that has enabled dynamic cycles of domestic revenues, decreased aid dependency and created strong domestic revenues to strengthen health systems” said Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko the Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union Commission.

While considerable progress has been made in recent years in making critical investments in social development including the health sector; the continent continues to lag behind other regions in terms of the proportions of national budgetary resources allocations to the health sector

“Existing financing mechanisms should be enriched with new actors, complementary resources and innovative models as governments alone cannot do everything in the health sector,” said Perry Mwangala, Senior Fund Portfolio Manager at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. “Complementary o the mechanism built into the new funding model of the Global Fund, a critical part of the global resource mobilisation strategy has been to involve implementing countries in the replenishment efforts and also to advocate and demonstrate increased domestic resources for health” he added.

However while Domestic Financing for health will be a major game changer for the future of Africa’s health, Official Development Assistance (ODA) still remains a critical component of solidarity for global health and development. Many of the countries with the heaviest disease burdens are unable to fund their disease responses without international support.

“Community based organisations are mobilising their own communities to mobilise resources for AIDS. Governments and donors should reach out to these grassroots to assist in strengthening their programmes which are making significant progress”; said Richman Rangwani, the Director of Simbarashe AIDS Network.

The meeting also discussed mobilisation of resources for HIV in Environmental Impact Assessments for huge infrastructure projects that are currently ongoing across Africa. The meeting also called for development of key advocacy messages that can be utilized in various key meetings by African leaders to push for domestic financing. This year the continental World AIDS Day Commemorations are being celebrated under the theme “Getting to Zero in Africa: Africa’s Responsibility, Everyone’s Responsibility.

For more information, visit http://www.africa-union.org, http://www.nac.org.zw , www.aidswatchafrica.org

About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision:to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peacewith itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable,efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en

About the National AIDS Council Zimbabwe

The National AIDS Council (NAC) is an organisation enacted through the Act of Parliament of 1999 to coordinate and facilitate the national multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS. It is also mandated to administer the National AIDS Trust Fund (NATF) collected through the AIDS Levy i.e. the 3% collected from every workers taxable income (PAYE) and corporate tax.

Event

ASEOWA Takes Awareness to Ebola Disease Hotspot in Liberia

28 November 2014

ASEOWA TAKES AWARENESS TO EBOLA DISEASE HOTSPOT IN LIBERIA

Friday 28th November, 2014 – On 27th November, the AU-ASEOWA head of mission, Major General Dr. Julius Oketta accompanied by the Inspector General of Police of the Republic of Liberia, Attorney Clarence Massaquoi, and the ASEOWA team visited an Ebola disease hotspot on a sensitization campaign.

The sensitization campaign against Ebola followed an earlier scheduled press conference and high level meeting of General Oketta and Attorney Massaquoi at the Police Headquarters in Monrovia. Attorney Massaquoi in his welcome address at the meeting praised the efforts of the African Union ASEOWA team in helping to fight the unwelcomed Ebola virus in Liberia. He also promised their full support as needed by the ASEOWA team in eradicating the Ebola virus in Liberia.

In his brief response, the Head of Mission ASEOWA; General Oketta assured the people of Liberia of the continued support and unrelenting commitment of the AU-ASEOWA for the people of Liberia in ensuring that Ebola is brought to an end completely. In his address, he reminded the people of the need to adhere to the safety precautions of not touching sick people. He also admonished the people to restrain themselves from celebrations especially visiting the beaches until the country is declared by WHO as Ebola free.

After the meeting, General Oketta and the ASEOWA team, in the company of the Inspector General of Police moved to West-Point; a hotspot area of the Ebola virus disease spread, where they were welcomed by a large gathering. The ASEOWA team seized the opportunity of their people’s responsiveness to communicate the AU-ASEOWA message on Ebola prevention and how to stop the spread of the Ebola virus disease in the communities.

For more information, visit http://www.au.int

Toluwani Oloke Public Information Officer

folaketolu@yahoo.com

Tel 0888166806

About the African Union

Event

24th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Wel

28 November 2014

Event

African Institute for Remittances (AIR) is officially launched in Nairobi, Kenya

28 November 2014

African Institute for Remittances (AIR) is officially launched in Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya 28 November 2014: On Friday 28 November 2014, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the Government of the Republic of Kenya signed a Host Agreement and officially launched the African Institute for Remittances. The signing ceremony and official launch took place in the Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS), where the institute will be hosted.

The Executive Council through its Decision, EX.CL/Dec.808 (XXIV), accepted the offer of the Republic of Kenya to host the African Institute for Remittances (AIR) and requested the African Union Commission to facilitate the early operationalization of the Institute. The Host Country Agreement was signed by H.E. Erastus J.O Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission and H.E. Ambassador Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya.

In his opening statement on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, H.E. Erastus J.O. Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission, mentioned that initially four Member States namely: Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya and Mauritius offered to host AIR and following the non-committal technical report of the fact-finding mission, the AU Executive Council selected the Republic of Kenya to host AIR in Nairobi. H.E. thanked the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya being host of the AIR and their continued support for the operationalization of the Institute. “Since many decades, African families are benefitting from remittances sent by their migrant relatives and friends living outside their home countries”, he said. He added that unfortunately, a significant portion of remittance flows within Africa, were sent through informal channels. The major reason migrants choose informal channels reside in the high transaction costs; Intra-African transfers are costly, averaging 20% of the amount remitted. Furthermore exclusive agreements between Money Transfer Operators and Banks are hampering competition in the African remittances market.

According to recent estimations remittances sent by over 30 million African migrant workers, increased by 3.5% and reached more than US$ 62 billion in 2013, supporting at least 120 million family members living back home. For many African households, remittances constitute a significant share of their income, reducing poverty and stimulating inclusive growth. Studies shows that remittance flows to and within Africa are expected to increase at 9% annual average rate in 2014-2017.

The signing of the Host Country Agreement and the official launching ceremony was preceded by a sensitization forum on 27 November 2014, to discuss the activities of the AIR and the role of the Private sector in reduction of remittances transfer cost and provision of remittances-linked financial products. The forum was attended by more than 50 participants from relevant Kenyan government offices, such as, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Treasury, the Central Bank, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and the private sector. H.E. Dr. Mustapha S. Kaloko, Commissioner of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission, addressed the forum. In his opening remarks, H.E. the Commissioner said “if well harnessed and formalized, remittances could contribute to the social and economic development of Africa”.

The signing of the Host Agreement was followed by a tour to the designated AIR office and a joint press conference to Kenyan media.

For further information contact

Oury Sene | Communication Officer, Tel: +251 912 640 347 | Email:OuryS@africa-union.org|

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Event

Accountability for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health - Lives and not just Numbe

26 November 2014

Accountability for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health - Lives and not just Numbers: The AU Commemorates CARMMA Week.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 26 November 2014 - The African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, is pleased to announce the 4th Annual CARMMA awareness-raising week - aimed at saving the lives of African mothers and children.

As part of the week long celebrations, Dr. Kaloko has launched a health database “African Health Stats” – set to rival other global websites in its innovative, accessible design, content and functionality.

At the event with partners, including the media to kick-start the week-long celebration, the Commissioner noted the positive impact of the African Union Commission in accelerating efforts to save the lives of mothers and children, since the continental launch of the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal, Newborn and Child Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) in 2009. For example

“Countries that have launched CARMMA – like Tunisia, Rwanda, Eritrea, and Ethiopia have made great strides in reducing mortality rates.

Eritrea has witnessed a fall in its maternal death rate from 880 per 100,000 live births to 240; representing an increase in the life chances of Eritrean mothers and their babies.

Rwanda’s maternal mortality ratio has fallen to 383 per 100,000 live births from a high of 1400 per 100,000 in 1994.

These are dramatic, life-saving changes for which African governments, their health workers and other stakeholders, deserve great credit.

This year the African Union is taking what Commissioner Kaloko has termed “another bold and exciting step forward” - by launching the vibrant new website – African Health Stats - www.africanhealthstats.org.

The accessible, authoritative, up-to-date and visually interactive website details data relevant to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) as well as HIV&AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa. In addition, the site includes health financial data for 54 African countries.

“We are very proud of this website” said Amb. Olawale Maiyegun, the African Union's Director of Social Affairs. “It is ground-breaking in its design, functionality and content, and is set to become the flagship of the African Union’s CARMMA campaign.

“We invite all those interested in improving the health status of Africa’s mothers and children and in the performance of African governments in reducing mortality rates - to visit the site and make use of its data.”

QUOTES ON THE LAUNCH OF AFRICAN HEALTH STATS

“UNFPA is proud to support CARMMA, and excited about the launch of the ground-breaking African Health Stats website. Now from Tunis in the north, to Cape Town in the south it will be possible for policy-makers, health workers, journalists and researchers to access data on progress in maternal and newborn survival in Africa. The site is an outstanding example of collaborative achievement by both the AU and its partners, including DFID, USAID and UNFPA, not to mention the many academics and experts that contributed to its content.

Only the African Union, with its continent-wide convening power, could have achieved this – so all strength to CARMMA!”

- Dr Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Regional Director, East and Southern Africa

““Through Evidence for Action, DFID is proud to support the African Union’s efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality across the continent through CARMMA, and in this way advance development on the continent. We are also pleased to have been a key partner in the development of the new, innovative and content-rich website: African Health Stats. Armed with the wealth of information and evidence easily available from the website, Africa’s policy-makers, health experts, media and advocates can now track progress and performance across the continent in a broad health context, including HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, as well as for maternal and newborn health. The African Union can be proud of its role in setting up and promoting this outstanding example of transparency and accountability in health, which enhances nations ability to learn from each other to drive progress.”

- Dr Louise Hulton, Programme Director, Evidence for Action.

"USAID congratulates the African Union on the launch yet another ground breaking innovation of the CARMMA campaign – African Health Stats. We are proud to have supported the detailed and extensive work that went into the assembly of data on African MNCH but also on health financing. The site is now a transparent mechanism for all those wishing to assess and track the actions and policies of African governments in saving the lives of mothers and newborns. It also provides a platform for celebrating the considerable progress of some African governments in saving the lives of African mothers, babies and children. Well done CARMMA!”

- Lisa Baldwin, Division Chief, Health, USAID Bureau for Africa.

"Accountability is key to achieving better results for women and children. Accountability efforts are only as good as the data that they are built on, the networks that disseminate information and call for action, and the political will to act on recommendations. We welcome African Union efforts to increase access to internationally comparable data through Afrihealthstats.org and continued efforts to promote high level political commitment and accountability through the CARMMA campaign." - Dr Andres de Francisco, a.i. Executive Director, PMNCH

For media inquiries and requests contact:

Mr. Wurie Bah, tel. 0+251912521689, email; bahw@africa-union.org

Mr. Robert Ndieka, African Union Commission, Ndiekar@africa-union.org

Web: www.carmma.org : www.au.int | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

About the African Union CARMMA

The ‘Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA)’ is a major initiative driven by the Department of Social Affairs (DSA) of the African Union Commission (AUC) aimed at promoting and advocating for renewed and intensified implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action for Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality in the Africa Region. The Campaign was launched in May 2009 under the theme: “Africa Cares: No Woman should Die while Giving Life”. More on CARMMA is available on www.carmma.org.

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Event

ASEOWA Guinea- Epidemiologists in the Field

26 November 2014

ASEOWA Guinea- Epidemiologists in the Field

Wednesday 26th November, 2014 – The African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA), has deployed epidemiologists into communities to enhance contact tracing efforts in Guinea. These expert volunteers coming from several African countries are now in six prefectures in Guinea, namely; Kouroussa, Faranah, Kankan, Kérouane, Nzérékoré and Siguiri.

According to the ASEOWA Deputy Head of Mission, Dr Aguide Soumouk, “The main objective is to break the chain of transmission of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Their deployment is meant to strengthen systems to identify persons who may have come in contact with EVD cases and follow them up for twenty one days. Those who manifest signs and symptoms of EVD will then be isolated to stop the spread of the disease in the community.”

The ASEOWA epidemiologists are also expected to develop capacity of local staff for disease surveillance and response. This deployment happens at a crucial moment as 2,147 persons have so far been infected withEVD since the epidemic started in Guinea, with 1,266 lives lost, as of 24th November, 2014, according to the National Coordination Cell in the fight Against Ebola.

The head of the ASEOWA Mission in the region, General Dr. Julius Oketta, in his recent visit to Conakry, Guinea, on November 17th, 2014, briefed the team about the objectives of the mission and the role they are expected to play in order to stop this deadly disease.

For more information, visit http://www.au.int

For further information contact

Paschal Chem-Langhee,

Public Information and Communication Officer,

The African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA),

Conakry, Guinea.

About the African Union

Event

34 ASEOWA Health Personnel Now at Work in Liberia

26 November 2014

34 ASEOWA HEALTH PERSONNEL NOW AT WORK IN LIBERIA

Monrovia, Liberia 26 November 2104- The African Union’s ASEOWA Head of Mission; Major General Dr. Julius Oketta, disclosed that the African Union Support to Ebola mission) has 34 personnel on ground and at work in Liberia, and the AU –ASEOWA medical team is handling the ETU at Ministry of Defense 1 (MOD1) while 6 medical doctors are also deployed to assist the Liberian health sector in treating other non-Ebola diseases at the JFK national hospital.

Dr Oketta made the announced this on 26 November when he met with the Chinese government delegation, WHO and CDC to discuss collaboration efforts in fighting EVD in the epicenters of the EVD spread. Also present at the meeting was the special representative of the African Union to Liberia and Sierra Leone; Ambassador Toyin Solaja who welcomed the Chinese delegation and explained that AU-offices are normally present in post-conflict countries and as expected, the African Union Commission has sent forth a team of volunteer medical and non-medical personnel to the 3 majorly affected countries.

The Head of Mission for AU-ASEOWA, General Oketta also enumerated on the efforts of the African Union which is a body of the 54 member states of Africa, that has brought humanitarian and logistics support to the affected countries. The medical personnel include clinicians, epidemiologists, nurses and lab technicians while the non-medical personnel include logistics, psychosocial and communication teams.

According to the Head of Mission, the Nigerian government, as part of their efforts in supporting other affected countries, will be sending a team of volunteers to be deployed under the ASEOWA mission next week. He stated that the target number for Liberia deployment is 250 while for Sierra Leone is 160.

The WHO representative in Liberia also present at the meeting highlighted two major priorities which are hospital treatment and community outreach and also stated that the Liberian situation cannot be assessed in isolation without considering Sierra Leone, Guinea and now Mali which is developing cases. According to the WHO representative, Ebola has seriously affected the national health system in Liberia, and the request was made that the Chinese government should assist by supporting the restoration of the health system.

In response, the Chinese delegation expressed gratitude to the partners for their efforts and stated that the Chinese government has so far provided 750 million Yen worth of support to countries affected by Ebola. They also mentioned that their agenda is to deploy up to 100 medical staff to Liberia and also to train local medical staff as part of their exit strategy for the post-Ebola phase.

The Chinese government already has an Ebola testing laboratory in Sierra Leone and will be constructing another in Liberia. This gesture was applauded by the ASEOWA head of mission as this would mean a faster turn over time for blood tests to determine the status of suspected and probable cases. The Chinese delegation also mentioned that they are willing and ready to participate in African Union’s efforts in building a regional center for disease control (CDC) in Africa. They also indicated that the Chinese funded ETU being built will soon be opened to start admitting and treating patients and the medical evacuation plan also extends to other partners as well.

TOLUWANI OLOKE

ASEOWA LIBERIA

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Event

Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal, Newborn and Child Mortality in Af

26 November 2014

Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal, Newborn and Child Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) Week Commemoration Event and the Launch of the African Health Stats Online Data Platform

WHAT: Commemoration of CARMMA week and launch the “African Health Stats”

WHEN: 26 November 2014, starting at 09:00hrs

WHERE: Small Conference Room 1, African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

WHO: Department of Social Affairs, African Union Commission

WHY: Specifically, the activities aim to:

i. Emphasize the role of CARMMA in reducing preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths in Africa;

ii. Facilitate dialogue on MNCH among a diversity of high level national stakeholders as well as other state and non-state actors;

iii. Mobilize all stakeholders - media, communities, service providers, rural leaders, religious groups, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and the general populace on practical actions to end preventable maternal and child deaths;

iv. Improve accountability by launching the online data platform

v. Share and promote good practices; and Enhance advocacy and resource mobilization for MNCH and SRHR.

BACKGROUND:

Consequent to Executive Council decision, EX.CL/662(XIX) that endorsed the commemoration of CARMMA week, the African Union Commission will be commemorating the CARMMA Week for 2014 under the theme “Accountability for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health…. Lives and not just numbers!”. As part of the week long celebrations, the AU will also launch the “African Health Stats” an online data platform that provides data on the status of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) across the continent.

For media inquiries and requests contact:

Mr Wurie Bah, +251912521689; bahw@africa-union.org

Mr Kenneth Oliko, Kennetho@africa-union.org

Web: www.carmma.org | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

About CARMMA

The ‘Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA)’ is a major initiative driven by the Department of Social Affairs (DSA) of the African Union Commission (AUC) aimed at promoting and advocating for renewed and intensified implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action for Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality in the Africa Region. The Campaign was launched in May 2009 under the theme: “Africa Cares: No Woman should Die while Giving Life”. More on CARMMA is available on www.carmma.org

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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