Last time we shared lessons from Uganda on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) response. Prophetically the title was “Let’s all prepare for Ebola” did I expect that the message would apply to the whole world and not only Africa. The situation in the three most affected West African
countries is much worse; it is sadly grim and dire. “Africa is burning. We need every body’s help now” is a message I received from a colleague who is in the front line over there.

Dear Colleagues,

As the leadership of the World Medical Association and the African Platform on Human Resources for Health, we wish to convey to all our comrades - the valiant Health Workers - in the countries affected by the current Ebola outbreak namely: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

 We are deeply saddened to learn of the regrettable attacks and killings of Health Workers in some of the countries. In the middle of all the challenges that you face as front line health workers, we urge you to remain steadfast in your noble call to save the lives of your fellow citizens. The untoward actions against health professional in some of the countries are largely due to lack of proper knowledge and correct information among our people.

Dear Colleagues,

This discussion is a special edition responding to the current Ebola Hemorrhagic fever outbreak in West Africa.
I am writing from a hotel room in Maputo, Mozambique where I arrived yesterday to participate at the annual Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) symposium. The Ebola Hemorrhagic fever outbreak afflicting a number of West African countries has become a real African and global threat. Traveling to Maputo via Nairobi or Addis Ababa, the two major airline hubs that connect West and East Africa, I was warned to be careful and to avoid contact with crowds or to cancel air travel all
together.

Dear Colleagues,

Here is our topic for July and August, 2014.

During the last week of June 2014, the government of Uganda convened a National Symposium on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) sponsored jointly with the East Central and Southern Africa Health Community Secretariat.
ACHEST provided Technical support to the two day event. This provided a platform to reflect on issues that African countries face on their way to achieving UHC, and internalize opportunities for achieving this key pillar of the post 2015 global development agenda. How can we simplify the message of UHC so that it is understood clearly, in the same way by all actors?

Here is our topic for May – June 2014.

This time last year we discussed African participation at the World Health Assembly (WHA) and how to improve the African contribution.
It is pleasing to report that last week, I took part in a meeting where the East Central and Southern Africa Health Community Secretariat (ECSA-HC) convened delegations from the governments in that region to a WHA preparatory meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe.