Conference on Research for Health adopts Algiers Declaration

Brazzaville, 1 July 2008 -- The African Ministerial Conference on Research for Health has ended with the adoption of the Algiers Declaration which commits countries in the Region to work together to strengthen national health research, information and knowledge systems through the optimization of investments, better co-ordination and enhanced management in order to improve the health of the people of Africa.

WHO to assist in reducing knowledge gap for Africa’s health

Algiers, 23 June 2008 -- The ministerial conference on research for health in the African Region got under way Monday in Algiers, Algeria, with a pledge by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assist Member States in the Region to reduce the knowledge gap – the gulf that exists between what we know and what we do in practice, between scientific potential and health outcomes. “WHO is determined to make a significant contribution to the efforts made by governments and other stakeholders to reduce the knowledge gap to improve Africa’s health”, the Organization’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, told a meeting of regional experts and health ministers about to examine and adopt the Algiers Declaration. read more

16 June 2008: The Day of the African Child

Brazzaville, 16 June 2008 -- The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on 16 June every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Organisation of African Unity. This day honours the memory of the children who, in 1976, were brutally shot down while marching in the streets of Soweto, South Africa to protest the inferior quality of their education. This year the African Union’s theme for this special day is “Right to Participation: Let Children be Seen and Heard”. On this special occasion, the WHO Regional Office for Africa wants to draw attention to the issue of the unfinished agenda of child survival in the African Region.