Brazzaville, 19 February 2015 – Newly elected WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, was received in audience by Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Basile Ikouebe. The audience was devoted to the presentation of Dr Moeti’s letters of credence, after taking office at the WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville (Congo).

Dr Moeti informed Mr Ikouebe that she had come to Brazzaville to assume her duties. She thanked the Minister for receiving her and assured him of WHO’s support to Congo and all countries in the Region. She also hailed and thanked the Congolese Government, in particular President Denis Sassou Nguesso, for prioritizing and supporting the health sector.

Mr Basile Ikouebe congratulated Dr Moeti for her brilliant election at the helm of the WHO Regional Office for Africa. “Your election did not go unnoticed, particularly by Mme Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the African Union Commission Chairperson, who actively promotes the advancement of women.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that “Africa is being hit by severe outbreaks such as Ebola virus disease, at a time when focus ought to be on evaluating the implementation of Millennium Development Goals”.

He informed the Regional Director of current health sector activities in Congo: “We are extending what was earlier decreed the “Year for Health”. Given that health is among our priorities, the country has projected the construction of hospitals and training of health workers. We count on WHO’s support to countries, while expanding our national initiatives”.

At the end of the audience, speaking to the media, the Regional Director affirmed that WHO will strengthen its support to countries of the African Region, particularly those affected by Ebola virus disease.

She underlined that "WHO assists governments for the definition of their health policies and implementation of action plans for control of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Promotion of mother and child health, control of neglected tropical diseases and noncommunicable diseases are the Organization’s other priorities.

Concerning the Ebola virus disease epidemic, Dr Moeti stated that "WHO has been very active and continues to work relentlessly in the affected countries”. She announced that she will, from 21 to 28 February 2015, visit Sierra Leone and Guinea to “determine the additional needs of these countries and increase WHO support”.

Dr Moeti underscored that more than 700 experts, including epidemiologists, data managers, patients’ follow up and communication workers were deployed in the three most affected countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) and Mali, where the outbreak was stamped out. She specified that WHO supports countries in the areas of response to epidemics, rehabilitation of health services in view of management of other diseases such as malaria, promotion of mother and child health and health systems strengthening to enable countries address outbreaks.

The WHO Regional Director stated that a special team had been set up at the WHO Regional Office for Africa to closely monitor trends in countries exposed to Ebola. She underlined that the Regional Office is working in conjunction with WHO headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland) and wished that donors increase funding for Ebola response.

Dr Moeti was elected WHO Regional Director for Africa on 4 November 2014, at the 64th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa. Her nomination was endorsed by the WHO 134th Executive Board meeting that took place from 20 to 25 January 2014 at the Organization’s headquarters in Geneva. On 1 February 2015, Dr Moeti succeeded Dr Luis Gomes Sambo who served during the last 10 years as WHO Regional Director for Africa.

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