Eritrea News

The African vaccine week in Eritrea was observed from 25-30 April, 2016 at national level in all zobas focusing more on polio eradication endgame and the importance of quality of vaccination.  The service provided was to strengthen the routine immunization programmes in the country by increasing public awareness on the importance of every person’s right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases at set times and schedules.

A national conference aimed at launching a campaign to end child marriage in Eritrea was held at Hotel Asmara Palace in June 2016. The national launch was coordinated by the Ministry of Health, and a number of line ministries and other organizations like the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare, Ministry of Education, the national Union of Eritrean Women, and the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students participated actively. The launch was organized in partnership with the African Union Commission, WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF.

Eritrea received an award of recognition for its exceptional achievement for effective utilization of stock management for immunization services for the third time.

Eritrea conducted the Joint External Evaluation as part of the county’s implementation of International Health Regulations (2005) from 3 to 7 October 2016 at Orotta Conference Hall in Asmara. Presiding over the official opening of the workshop, Honorable minister of Health, Mrs Amina Nurhussien stressed the main objective of the workshop to review and evaluate the status of implementation of IHR (2005) jointly with the external evaluators from WHO. Hon.

Eritrea observed the World Diabetes Day 2016 at Cinema Roma on the 12 November 2016 in Asmara under the theme “Eyes on Diabetes”. The ceremony began with students parade from Bahtimeske to Cinema Roma with banners and caps featuring key messages of the day.

Eritrea also joined the World commemorating World AIDS Day on 1 December 2016 at Orotta Conference Hall in Asmara under the theme “Hands up for HIV Prevention”. The commemoration was officially opened by the Director General of Public Health, Dr Andat Tefatsion, representing the Hon Minister of Health. In his speech, he said that Eritrea must continue to augment its existing programs and further promote effective initiatives and interventions in order to prevent new HIV infections even though it has scored remarkable achievements.

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the WHO Country Office held a workshop on Adverse Event Following Immunization Surveillance and Causality Assessment from 21 to 22 February 2017 at Embasoira Hotel in Asmara-Eritrea. The workshop was modelled on the standard of WHO causality assessment course to strengthen monitoring of adverse events following immunization (AEFI), but modified to suit the country requirements.

Eritrea joined the world celebrating World Health Day 2017. It was commemorated with lots of enthusiasm at national level at St. Mary Psychiatric Hospital under the theme “Depression, let’s talk” The highly participated event was observed for the 22nd times at national level and for the 68th at international level.