West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) convenes strategic communications workshop to fortify regional Lassa fever response and sensitization
The workshop's objectives included identifying and analysing communication gaps, fostering mutual understanding of each entity's communication roles and responsibilities, developing a unified communication strategy for the 2nd Lassa Fever International Conference, defining clear communication protocols, and establishing a joint roadmap for sustained regional communications, collaboration, and sensitization.
During the workshop, Dr. Virgil Lokossou, Acting Director of Health Services at WAHO, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Dr. Assi Melchor, the Director General of WAHO. He emphasized the importance of putting in place effective communication tools, addressing specific Lassa Fever communication issues, and establishing a more visible regional platform for collaboration and decision-making. Dr. Lokossou stressed the need for increased awareness and prevention of the Lassa Fever threat, aligning strategies with scientific evaluation, and collectively developing a regional plan for the upcoming conference. He urged all participants to commit to this cause, working together to identify and address difficulties for the benefit of the entire region.
At the conclusion of the two-day event, Dr. Sombie Issiaka, Acting Director of Public Health and Research at WAHO, provided the closing remarks on behalf of the Director General of WAHO. He expressed sincere appreciation to the Nigerian Watch team for their smooth collaboration in combating Lassa Fever and other emerging diseases, as well as for organizing the workshop. He also extended thanks to all communication experts from participating member states, the Boom Public Health Group, and the Corona Management Systems Group.
Dr. Issiaka highlighted the significance of the coalition, emphasizing that all strategies discussed would move into the implementation stage, ensuring all stakeholders are effectively involved through clear communication in the fight against Lassa Fever. He thanked the Nigerian authorities as the host country, colleagues from WAHO and the ECOWAS Commission's communication directorate for their support and collaboration, formally declaring the workshop closed and expressing anticipation for continued joint efforts. The workshop marks a significant step forward in ensuring a coordinated, impactful, and visible response to Lassa Fever across West Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Nigeria takes bold steps toward Hepatitis-free future with World Health Organization (WHO)'s support
The World Health Organization (WHO) has collaborated with the Government of Nigeria and hepatitis stakeholders to raise awareness and promote early diagnosis and treatment for World Hepatitis Day 2025. The global event, observed annually on 28 July, raises awareness about viral hepatitis- an inflammation of the liver that can lead to chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Hepatitis includes five types: A, B, C, D, and E. In the WHO African Region, over 70 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B or C, but fewer than 10% are diagnosed or treated. Nigeria, with 325,000 new infections in 2022, ranks third globally in hepatitis prevalence. Chronic hepatitis B and C can lead to liver damage and cancer, even though they are preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable. This year's theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down,' calls for action to remove financial, social, and systemic barriers, including stigma, that prevent hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention. For 2025 World Hepatitis Day, WHO joined the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its partners to mark the occasion with a ministerial press briefing at the Federal Secretariat, and launched a three-day hepatitis B screening, on the stop vaccinations for those who test negative, and linkage to treatment programme for those who test positive at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. The event at the National Assembly in Abuja brought together health officials, legislators, and the public to address the issue of hepatitis. Addressing journalists at the press briefing, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Pate, represented by Dr Godwin Ntadom, Director Public Health Department, FMOH, reiterated Nigeria's commitment to combating hepatitis. He noted that the burden and cost of hepatitis treatment in the country is still very high and, as such, has a huge economic impact on the country and called for collective action in eliminating the disease. Dr Ntadom said, 'hepatitis costs Nigeria between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion annually in direct and indirect costs. He also announced, 'Project 365,' a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C and halting Hepatitis B transmission by 2030. 'The project will support the ongoing efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, alongside expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing through funding, the establishment of the Viral Elimination Fund, tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and legislative support. Nigeria must no longer hold the third-highest hepatitis burden globally. We have the science, we have the strategy, and we will act together, boldly and urgently, toward a hepatitis-free Nigeria, he said. WHO's Acting Representative in Nigeria, Dr Alex Gasasira, represented by Dr Mya Ngon, cluster lead for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) praised Nigeria's triple elimination initiative for HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, and emphasized the importance of reducing treatment costs, boosting local production, and expanding screening to achieve healthcare equity. WHO urges Nigeria and other nations to: • Ensure hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth; • Integrate hepatitis testing and treatment into primary healthcare services; • Address stigma and misinformation; • Secure sustainable domestic funding for hepatitis programs; and • Protect the rights of individuals living with hepatitis, especially in healthcare and employment. She reiterated WHO's commitment to supporting Nigeria's efforts to strengthen its health systems and expand access to affordable diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments. A beneficiary of the screening, Fash Yommie, 53, from Abuja, shared that he took the test to know his status. 'I took the test to know my status, and I am relieved to have tested negative. I now understand the importance of hepatitis prevention. I will start taking precautionary measures, such as avoiding sharing needles and ensuring proper hygiene with food and water, to protect myself and my loved ones from infection. I encourage everyone to get tested and vaccinated, as early detection is key to preventing this disease. "Early detection and vaccination are crucial in preventing the spread of hepatitis. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infected blood or fluids, hepatitis C via blood-to-blood contact like sharing needles, and hepatitis A and E through contaminated food or water. Nigeria has enhanced hepatitis B prevention by adding the vaccine to the national schedule, supported by WHO, Gavi, UNICEF, and partners, to vaccinate all newborns and children and reduce early transmission. This year's activities reflect the broader goal of integrating hepatitis services into Nigeria's primary healthcare system, making screening and treatment more accessible to vulnerable populations. The National Assembly event is part of WHO's ongoing collaboration with Nigeria to achieve universal health coverage and align with the 2030 Global Health Agenda. Through national and local partnerships, WHO supports Nigeria in reducing the hepatitis burden and improving public health outcomes. The three-day screening serves as a reminder that hepatitis is preventable, and everyone has a role in raising awareness and preventing its spread. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Nigeria.
Gulf Business
7 hours ago
- Gulf Business
UAE sets new standards for next-generation oral products
Credit: Getty Images In this interview, Alexandre Ghanem, Cluster Head of Middle East & North Africa (MENA) at BAT, discusses the significance of the new rules, how they align with global harm reduction efforts, and BAT's plans to launch a new portfolio in the UAE. Pictured: Alexandre Ghanem, Cluster Head of Middle East & North Africa (MENA) at BAT. What are BAT's plans for the UAE with this new regulatory framework in mind? The UAE's decision to issue regulatory requirements for tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches aligns with BAT's transformation and our vision of creating 'A Better Tomorrow'—a smokeless world driven by reducing the health impact of our business. Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) as a policy encourages adult consumers who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch to lower-risk alternatives. Adult smokers and nicotine users in the UAE are progressive and open to innovative products. The UAE standard now provides access to high-quality alternatives, which is why BAT plans to introduce a new portfolio of tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches under the VELO brand in the market, in line with our THR ambitions. How significant is regulating tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches to harm reduction in the UAE? The UAE continues to lead in regulatory innovation. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology's (MoIAT) decision to issue a technical standard for tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches reflects a strong commitment to public health and quality control. It is widely accepted that most harm from smoking comes from inhaling the smoke produced by burning tobacco—not from nicotine itself. Tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches, being smokeless and tobacco-free, present a reduced-risk profile when compared to combustible products, assuming a complete switch from smoking. How effective has the launch of BAT's tobacco-free nicotine pouches been elsewhere? Can that success be replicated in the UAE? Our tobacco-free nicotine pouches are currently available in over 40 countries, with 7.4 million adult consumers globally. VELO products are developed under rigorous stewardship and have been shown to contain 90–99 per cent fewer toxic chemicals compared to cigarette smoke. The broader category of oral nicotine pouches has contributed significantly to global public health by reducing smoking rates. Sweden is a notable example, where oral nicotine has largely replaced smoking over the past 70 years, resulting in the lowest smoking rate and lung cancer mortality rate in Europe—29.1 deaths per 100,000 compared to the EU average of 66.7 (2020 data). As of 2024, Sweden's smoking rate stands at 5.3 per cent, positioning it to achieve the WHO's 'smoke-free' status and putting the country 15 years ahead of the EU's 2040 target. Where do tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches fall on the risk continuum compared to cigarettes? Leading health bodies, including the US FDA, acknowledge that the main causes of smoking-related diseases are the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke—not nicotine itself. In 2008, the WHO identified nine key toxicants in cigarette smoke. In VELO products, these are reduced by more than 99 per cent. While smokers may be addicted to nicotine, nicotine itself is not classified as a carcinogen. The Royal College of Physicians in London reinforces this, noting that the real danger lies in the smoke. If nicotine can be delivered in an effective and acceptable smokeless form, such as oral pouches, most—if not all—of the harm from smoking could potentially be avoided.
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
AI chatbots can boost public health in Africa
Language technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI) hold significant potential for public health. From outbreak detection systems that scan global news in real time, to chatbots providing mental health support and conversational diagnostic tools improving access to primary care, these innovations are helping address health challenges. At the heart of these developments is natural language processing, an interdisciplinary field within AI research. It enables computers to interpret, understand and generate human language, bridging the gap between humans and machines. Natural language processing can process and analyse enormous volumes of health data, far more than humans could ever handle manually. This is especially valuable in regions with a stretched healthcare workforce or limited public health surveillance infrastructure, because it enables faster, data-driven responses to public health needs. Recently, our interdisciplinary team, combining expertise from computer science, human geography and health sciences, conducted a review of studies on how language AI is being used for public health in African countries. Almost a decade's worth of academic research was analysed, to understand how this powerful technology is being applied to pressing human needs. Out of 54 research publications, we found that evidence of real-world effects of the technology was still rare. Only 4% of these studies (two out of 54) showed measurable improvements in public health, such as boosting people's mood or increasing vaccine intentions. Most projects stop at technology development and publication. Very few advance to real-world use or impact. Opportunities to improve health and well-being across the continent could be missed as a result. Current limitations In recent years, AI language technologies for public health have increased rapidly. This wave of technology development really took off as the COVID-19 pandemic renewed attention to public health. Health chatbots and sentiment analysis tools were developed in Africa and beyond. Health chatbots 'talk' to people and provide reliable health information in a friendly, conversational way. Sentiment analysis tools scan social media posts to understand what people are feeling and talking about. Together they can identify misinformation or changes in public opinion and then provide accurate information. Of course, new technologies come with imperfections. We found that most technologies for public health in Africa exist in just a few languages whose dominance can be traced to colonial times, namely English and French. The consequences are clear: key health messages fail to reach many communities, leaving millions unable to access or act on essential information. We also found that few projects have gone beyond the laboratory development stage. Our study found only one system in operation that had a measurable public health effect. A successful model This standout example comes from a team at the Center for Global Development and the University of Chicago, in partnership with the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics. Their chatbot, deployed on Facebook Messenger, was designed for people in Kenya and Nigeria who were hesitant about COVID-19 vaccines. It was only available in English. More than 22,000 social media users used this app, sharing vaccine-related questions and concerns. The chatbot provided tailored, evidence-based responses to topics ranging from vaccine effectiveness and safety to misinformation. Its effect was notable. The intervention boosted users' intention and willingness to get vaccinated by 4%-5%. The strongest effects were seen among those most hesitant to begin with. Behind this success was the researchers' commitment to understanding the local context. Before launching the chatbot, in-depth discussions were held with focus groups and social media users in Kenya and Nigeria. The aim was to learn about the specific worries and cultural factors shaping attitudes toward vaccination. The chatbot was designed to address these concerns. This user-centred, locally adapted approach enabled the chatbot's messages to address real barriers. As this example demonstrates, language technologies for public health are most effective when responding to the concerns and needs of the intended users. From lab to life These technologies take time and money to be put into practice. The COVID-19 pandemic jump-started development but public health language AI technologies are very new. It could be that a future survey would find a very different situation. At the same time, advances in large language models such as GPT-4 are rapidly lowering the technical barriers to developing language technologies. These models can often be adapted to new applications with far less data and effort than previous methods. Recent advances could enable small teams of researchers or even individual developers to build tools tailored to the specific needs of their own communities. The path from lab to real-world effects may become much shorter and easier. Investors, accelerators and state support could help make this transition from lab to life happen. Technology developers can also contribute by rooting their work in community-driven, multi-disciplinary and cross-sector collaboration. Social science and public health research knowledge and skills can inform the design and development of new technologies. To maximise the potential of language technologies for public health, the following needs to happen: - involving communities and health workers in natural language processing design - expanding provision in indigenous African languages - integrating language technologies into existing health systems. Future research and development must move beyond technical prototypes and laboratory tests to rigorous real-world evaluations that measure health outcomes. The other co-authors behind this research are: Abigail Oppong, Ebele Mogo, Charlotte Collins, and Giulia Occhini.
