Brazzaville/Libreville, 12 February 2016 - The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti is in Libreville, Gabon, for a 5 day official visit and to participate in the 7th Conference of Health Ministers of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which begins today.

On the first leg of the visit, Dr Moeti accompanied by WHO Representative to Gabon, Dr Boureima Hama Sambo, paid a courtesy call on the President of Gabon, Head of State, Ali Bongo Ondimba, the Prime Minister, Head of Government Professor Daniel Ona Ondo and Deputy Prime Minister for Health, Social Welfare and National Solidarity, Mr Paul Mba Biyoghe.

During her meeting with the President, Dr Moeti commended him for putting health high on Gabon’s development agenda. She applauded his leadership and acknowledged Gabon’s leading role towards Universal Health Coverage through the success of its National Health Insurance Scheme (CNAMGS) which helps poor and vulnerable people to access quality health care.

"This system is an example of success from which other countries in the African Region can learn, as they work towards universal health coverage" she said. She reiterated WHO’s unwavering support to work with the Government to tackle the country’s health challenges.

President Ali Bongo Ondimba expressed his appreciation for her leadership in advancing health for the Region and pledged to maintain the financial allocation to the health sector. "Despite the current economic challenges, we will maintain the same investment and the same level of resources allocated to health," said HE Ali Bongo Ondimba, the Gabonese Head of State.

Dr Moeti held talks with Professor Daniel Ona Ondo, Prime Minister of Gabon, Mr Paul Biyoghe Mba, Deputy Minister of Health and other high ranking officials of the Health Ministry. In her deliberations, the Regional Director stressed the need to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by addressing the four major NCD risk factors, namely: smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet and the harmful use of alcohol. She urged intensified efforts in the struggle against polio, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases.

Citing the Ebola virus disease outbreak and the threat of Zika virus, Dr Moeti also stressed importance of preparedness, surveillance and response to health threats. She expressed WHO’s commitment to support the Gabonese Government to organize the forthcoming 3rd Conference on Health and Environment and the creation of the School of Public Health in Lambaréné in the province of the Middle Ogooué.

The Regional Director also held a working session with Heads of United Nations agencies in Gabon where she commended the good working relationship of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in  Gabon and encouraged agencies to continue their efforts to strengthen the coordination and harmonization of interventions within the United Nations system in the spirit Developing As One (DaO).

The Regional Director undertook field visits to some health projects including the Cancer Institute at Angondjé (Institut de cancérologie d’Angondjé)  and the district Medical Centre of Komo-Kango to familiarise herself with WHO’s support towards Gabon’s health development efforts particularly in the areas of health system strengthening and noncommunicable diseases prevention and control.

Today Dr Moeti will address the opening session of the 7th session of the Conference of Minsters of Health from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

The official visit ends on 14 February 2015.

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For more information, please contact:

Gislene Mooussuamy Communications Officer Moussouamyg [at] who.int (Moussouamyg[at]who[dot]int), Tel +47-241-34824,

C. Boakye-Agyemang, Regional Communications Adviser:  Boakyeagyemangc [at] who.int (Boakyeagyemangc[at]who[dot]int), Tel +47-241-39420