The
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday commemorated the 29th
anniversary of West African Health Organisation (WAHO) at NaNA conference hall
along Bertil Harding Highway.
The
theme of the commemoration was ‘Regional Integration and Health Security in
ECOWAS: Role of the ECOWAS regional centre for disease surveillance and
control’.
Speaking
on the occasion, Njanko Jimbara, deputy permanent secretary (technical) at the
Ministry of Health, said WAHO is doing so much in the health sector.
He,
however, pointed out that despite all efforts and significant achievements in
recent decades, there remains enormous health challenges in the sub-region.
“These
challenges include weak preparedness and response to epidemics and other health
emergencies, as evidence by the outbreak of Ebola virus that severely strained
our countries health systems, leading to serious health and socio-economic
consequences for our region,” Mr Jimbara said.
Modou
Njai, director of Health Promotion and Education Directorate, said the
establishment of WAHO continues to strengthen sub-regional efforts in disease
awareness, surveillance, and control.
