02 Election of new WHO Regional Director for Africa: candidates' forum
03 Breaking silos: How the inter-cluster collaboration in WHO AFRO is strengthening efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
07 Reflections on the BMS user experience 11 Winners of quiz on ethics at work 13 World Health Day 2025 05 Unlocking Knowledge and Strengthening Teams: The Power of Brown Bag Sessions
12 Upcoming Webinars
AspartoftheprocesstowardstheelectionofWorldHealthOrganization'snext RegionalDirectorforAfrica,avirtuallivecandidates'forumwillbeheldon Wednesday,2April2025,from09:30to16:00Brazzavilletime.
Thevirtualforum,agreedtobyMemberStatesintheRegion,isamongthemeasures adoptedtostrengthenthetransparencyoftheelectoralprocess.Itwillbepresided overbytheHonourableLouiseMaplehKpoto,Liberia'sMinisterofHealthandSocial Welfare,andcurrentFirstVice-ChairofWHO'sRegionalCommitteeforAfrica.
Theforumisaplatformprovidedtothecandidatestodetailtheirexperienceand expertise,andtopresenttheirvisionofwhattheyhopetoachieveduringtheirtenure todeliveronthecoremandatesofWHOintheAfricanRegion.
Thefourcandidates(incountryalphabeticalorder)are: DrMichelN'daKonanYao,proposedbyCoted'Ivoire. DrMohamedLamineDramé,proposedbyGuinea. ProfessorJanabiMohamedYakub,proposedbytheUnitedRepublicofTanzania. ProfessorMoustafaMijiyawa,proposedbyTogo.
Thecandidateswilleachgiveapresentationofnomorethan20minutes.
InhospitalsacrossAfrica,doctorsandothercertifiedhealthprofessionalsarefacingagrowing nightmare-infectionsthatnolongerrespondtotreatment.Amotherarriveswithhersickchild, expectingmedicinestowork,onlytolearnthattheantibioticthatwaspreviouslyeffectivenolonger works.Asurgeonworriesaboutpost-operativeinfectionsthatusedtobeeasilytreatable.
Thisistherealityofantimicrobialresistance(AMR),anditisspreadingfast.
Withouturgentaction,simpleinfectionscouldonceagainbecomedeadly,routinesurgeriescould becometooriskytoperform,andlife-savingtreatmentslikechemotherapycouldbecompromised. RecognizingthatnosingleclusterattheregionalofficecantackleAMRalone,WorldHealth Organization(WHO)intheAfricanRegionintensifiedinter-clustercollaborationthroughtheAMR workstream,ensuringaunifiedapproachtoawareness,educationandtechnicalguidance
Byleveragingexpertiseacrossmultipleclustersandunits,WHOismakingstridesinbuilding capacity,improvingcommunication,andstrengtheningpoliciestocombatAMReffectively.
ToenhancetechnicalexpertiseandpromotesustainableAMRawarenessintheregion,WHOhas developedAMRtrainingmodulesthroughthecombinedeffortsoftheDirectorProgramme Management(DPM)Cluster,theAMR&DiagnosticsandLaboratoryServices(DLS)Unitsofthe AssistantRegionalDirector(ARD)Cluster,andtheUniversalHealthCoverage/LifeCourseCluster.
ThesemoduleshavebeeninstrumentalinsupportingtheannualregionalAMRcourseorganizedby NaziBoniUniversityinBoboDioulasso,BurkinaFaso.WithtechnicalandfinancialbackingfromWHO, thiscoursehastrainedover500peopleinrecentyears,withparticipantsfrom12French-speaking countries.
"ThecomplexityofAMRrequiresastrongandcoordinatedresponseacrossallsectors.Our collaborativeapproachensuresthattrainingprogrammesliketheoneinBurkinaFasoequip individualswiththeknowledgeandskillstodriveAMRadvocacyandtechnicalsupportintheir owncountries,"saysDrAliAhmedYahaya,WHOAFROAMRUnitLead.
Theinitiative,conductedinpartnershipwithBurkinaFaso'sWHOCountryOffice,ECOWASandother stakeholders,ispartofabroaderefforttocultivateAMRchampionswhocanleadadvocacyand awarenesseffortsatnationalandregionallevels
"Thistrainingonantimicrobialresistancehasbeenaneye-opener,reinforcingtheurgentneedfor collaborativeactionacrosssectors.InowhaveadeeperunderstandingofAMR'simpactonpublic healthandammorecommittedtoadvocatingforresponsibleantibioticuse,andstrongerpolicies tocombatthisglobalthreat,"saysDrSoniaIrambona,aparticipantfromBurunditakingpart intheAMRtraining.
DrSheickOumarCoulibaly,WHOAFRODLSunitlead,highlightedthecollaborativeeffortsoftheAMR andtheDLSunitstodeliverthistraining,andemphasizeditslong-termimpact:"Byworkingtogether toequiphealthprofessionals,policymakersandresearcherswithAMRexpertise,weare strengtheningthetechnicalcapacityneededtoimplementeffectiveAMRpoliciesandintervention."
Furthermore,toensurecontinuouscapacity-buildingandknowledge-sharing,theAMRunit,in collaborationwithULC/MIMandEPR/EMP,hasintroducedayear-roundwebinarseriesacrossthe region.Thisinitiativehasalreadyhelpedatleast18countriesimprovetheirabilitytopackage,brand andcommunicateAMRmessageseffectivelytodiverseaudiences,includingpolicymakers,health careworkersandthepublic.
AMRisacomplexhealthchallengethatrequirescollaborationacrossvariousdisciplinestoprevent andcontrolitsspread.Recognizingthis,theAMRunithaspartneredwiththeUniversalHealth Coverage/HealthierPopulationsclusteronkeyinitiatives.Theseincludestrengtheningfoodsafety andpromotingWater,Sanitation,andHygiene(WASH)practices,toreducetransmissionofdrugresistantpathogens.
"Theinter-clustercollaborationatWHOintheAfricanRegionissettingaprecedentforhow organizationscancollaborateinternallytostrengthenAMRresponseefforts,"saysDrAdelheid WerimoOnyango,DirectoroftheUniversalHealthCoverage/HealthierPopulationscluster
Bycontinuingtostrengthencapacity-building,WHOisempoweringcountriestotakeownershipof AMRcontrol,ensuringahealthier,moreresilientfutureforall.
AspartofthepreparationsfortherolloutofournewBudgetManagementSystem (BMS),IrecentlyhadtheopportunitytoparticipateintheBMSuserexperiencelab organizedattheRegionalOffice.Volunteeringforthelabwasagreatdecision.Iwas eagertogetafirst-handfeelforthenewsystem,andtosupportmycolleaguesin navigatingthechangesahead.
Thelabprovidedahands-on,guidedintroductiontothenewhumancapital managementsystem,justoneofthemanyfunctionalareastheBMSwillintegrate. Weexploredfeaturesrelatedtoleaverequests,personalinformationupdatesandthe veryintuitivesearchfunction,allwithinacontrolledandsupportiveenvironment.
Whatstoodoutmosttomewasthesystem'suser-friendlyinterface.TheBMSis intuitive,easytonavigate,andmobile-friendly,makingitpossibletocompletetasks directlyfromacellphone Itisamajorstepforwardfromourexistingplatforms, combiningprogrammemanagement,finance,procurement,travelandmoreintoone cohesive,streamlinedtool.
Amongthekeyfeaturestestedbyabout200colleagueswhotriedtheirhandatthe newsystemwereprofilechanges,leaverequests,andviewingtheorganizational chart.
Tomeettheneedsofdifferentteams,twosessionswereorganized:thefirstweekwas dedicatedtoFrench-speakingstaff,andthesecondtoEnglish-speakingparticipants. TheseworkshopswereledbyexperiencedHRprofessionalsandvolunteercolleagues, ensuringpersonalizedsupportandahigh-qualitylearningexperienceforallattendees.
"Thelaballowedmetofeelmorecomfortablewiththesystembeforeitsofficiallaunch.I wasabletotestspecificfeaturesthatwillbeusefultomedaily,suchasmanagingleave andaccessingtheorganizationalchart Thishands-onexperienceisessentialfora smoothtransition,"saysBenitoKoubemba,PresidentoftheStaffAssociation.
RogerIsielo,avolunteertrainer,explainsthatheoriginallyhadnoexperiencewiththe system,butquicklybecameareferenceforhiscolleaguesseekinginformationabout BMS Hewasabletomasterthesysteminashorttime,overcomehisapprehensions,and evendiscoveredtricksthathehadn'tinitiallybeentaught.Accordingtohim,thissuccess isduetothesystem'sintuitiveness,hispersonalcuriosityandtherelevantquestions posedbyusers,whichhelpedhimrefinehisunderstandingandbettermasterthe system'sfunctionalities.
"Itwasarewardingexperiencetoguidecolleaguesinusingthissystem,"headds. "SeeingtheparticipantsunderstandandmasterthetoolsofBMSwasverygratifying."
JosephNGOM,BMSRegionalCoordinator,highlightedtheimportanceofthis preparatoryphasetoensuresuccessfulimplementation:"Thesetrainingsessionsarea keyelementtoensurethatourteamsarereadytousetheBMSeffectively.Thefeedback fromusersandtrainerswillallowustoadjustthesystembeforeitsglobalrollout."
Aswemoveclosertotheofficiallaunch,l'mlookingforwardtosupportingmycolleagues ingettinguptospeedwiththenewsystem.Withalittleexplorationandpractice,l'm confidentwe'llallquicklyseethevalueitbringstoourwork.
Inthefast-pacedandever-evolvingworkenvironment,continuouslearningisnolongeraluxury it’sanecessity.Tofosterknowledgesharingandenhanceinternalcollaboration,WHOKenya introducedaseriesofbrownbagsessions,aninitiativespearheadedbytheWHORepresentative, Dr AbdourahmaneDiallo Theseinformal,knowledge-sharinggatheringshaveproventobea powerfultoolforprofessionaldevelopment,enhancingteamcohesion,andfosteringacultureof curiosityandlearning.
Sinceinception,thebrownbagsessionshavecovereddiversetopicssuchasinfodemics management,grantsacquisitionandmanagement,introductiontoViralHemorrhagicFevers(VHF) genderinprogramming,behaviorchangecommunication,andphotographyandvideographybest practices.Thesesessionshaveallowedemployeestogaininsightsintoareasoutsidetheir immediateroles,makingthemmoreversatileandinformedaboutourorganization’soperations.
Withthepossibilityoforganizationalchangesonthehorizon,thesesessionshavebecomemore thanjustlearningplatforms.Theyhaveempoweredstafftodevelopnewskills,gaincrossfunctionalknowledge,andpositionthemselvesasadaptableprofessionalssupportingkey functionsbeyondtheirprimaryresponsibilities.
Thebeautyofbrownbagsessionsisthattheytakeplaceduringstafflunchtime,eliminatingthe needforextratimecommitments.Thefriendlyandopenenvironmentallowscolleaguestobring theirownlunch,engageinmeaningfuldiscussions,andlearnwhileeating hence,theterm "brownbag."
Toensurethesuccessoffuturesessions,hereareafewsimplestepsforstafftofollow:
Choosearelevantsubjectthatalignswithorganizationalgoals,addressesacommonchallenge,or enhancesprofessionaldevelopment
Structurethepresentationtobeengaging,withamixofpracticalinsights,casestudies,and interactivediscussions.
Keepitaccessiblebyavoidingjargonandcomplexexplanations,ensuringallstaffcanbenefit. EncourageengagementthroughQ&Asessions,real-lifeexamples,andgroupdiscussions.
Keepitconcisebyaimingfora30-to45-minutesessiontomaintainfocusandmaximizeattendance. Utilizevisualaidslikeslides,videos,orhandoutstoenhanceunderstanding Sharekeytakeawaysandresourcestoreinforcelearningbeyondthesession.
Brownbagsessionshavealreadyproventheirvalueinstrengtheningourteamsandenhancing professionalgrowth.Aswecontinueonthisjourneyoflearning,let’sembraceandexpandthese sessions,makingthemanintegralpartofourorganizationalculture.
EvelynChagina
“I have gained a deeper insight into my colleagues' work. The sessions have therefore strengthened my adaptability and enabled me to contribute more effectively across different areas of the organization.”
“These sessions have been highly informative. In the coming days, we will integrate them into staff learning opportunities, ensuring they contribute to professional development goals. This will also enable supervisors to track and assess employees' participation in learning initiatives as part of the annual performance appraisal process.”
“The sessions provided clarity on some complex topics, and staff feel more informed about ongoing processes within the organization. I now feel more confident in explaining complex ideas and have a better understanding of our work.”
“I now have a much better understanding of what everyone does, compared to before when I wasn’t fully aware of the depth of each staff member’s role. These sessions keep us updated on the latest developments in our areas of work, especially when colleagues travel and bring back new insights.”
“We have learned many new things that I was not aware of before. Coming together to share experiences and workrelated insights from different departments is valuable, especially for those of us in support teams. It is not always easy to access such information, but sessions like these brown bags have provided a great opportunity to do so.”
“I have gained a better understanding of my colleagues’ work, which has made me more versatile and capable of contributing to different organizational functions and synergy.”
ArdoFarah
“The sessions have enhanced internal communication by bringing staff from different departments together. This has broken down silos and encouraged open dialogue, fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration.”
Dr.ElizabethOele
“Brown bag sessions are an excellent opportunity for everyone to learn about various thematic areas.”
AnnastaciaMuange
“The brown bag sessions offer a costeffective way to upskill staff. Unlike external training, these sessions leverage in-house expertise, making professional development accessible to everyone.”
Dr.Victo
“Previously complex tasks that seemed unattainable are now being demystified through these sessions. They have ignited curiosity and encouraged me to explore new competencies.”
“These sessions have been a source of motivation. They have helped me engage in meaningful learning experiences.”
peer learning. It’s great to learn directly from the expertise and experiences of my colleagues.”
Welcometo"WhatDoYouKnow",thequizthatputsyourknow-howtothe test!Thankstoeveryonewhoparticipatedandtookonthechallenge-your thoughtfulresponsesshowedjusthowseriouslyyoutakeethicsatwork.
Congratulationstothewinners:
GOA-GOSES,Meliziagoagosesm@who.int;ProgrammeAssistant,Namibia PANDEY,Dhruvpandeyd@who.int;MedicalOfficer,SouthAfrica BABOUNGOU,AdèleSimoneLaurethbaboungoua@who.int;AdministrativeAssistant, RegionalOffice
ATEM,AtemJohnAjangatema@who.int;CommunicationsOfficer,SouthSudan NHATAVE,Daiananhataved@who.int;VaccineCommunicationOfficer,Mozambique MPOUO,EdithAurelieempouo@who.int;ProgrammeAssistant,RegionalOffice NAISSEM,Jonasnaissemi@who.int;CommunicationsOfficer,Chad KAAGA,YebaLaconikaagay@who.int;NationalProfessionalOfficer,Togo
On7April2025,theWorldHealthOrganizationwill commemorateWorldHealthDaykickingoffayear-longcampaign onmaternalandnewbornhealth.Thecampaign,titledHealthy beginnings,hopefulfutures,willurgegovernmentsandthe healthcommunitytorampupeffortstoendpreventablematernal andnewborndeaths,andtoprioritizewomen’slonger-term healthandwell-being.
Getinvolvedtosupportthecampaign.
