Secretary Sebelius meets with Dr. Luís Gomes Sambo, Regional Director, WHO Office for Africa

February 22, 2010 - The Secretary met with Regional Director Dr. Luís Sambo to discuss the long standing partnership and new opportunities for collaboration between the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.  The main topics of discussion included communicable and non-communicable disease control, and maternal health in Africa.

The Secretary presented Dr. Sambo with a copy of the Implementation of the Global Health Initiative, Consultation Document.  Dr. Sambo praised the inclusion of health systems strengthening as a part of the Global Health Initiative, mentioning that this is an area that needs continued focus.  The Secretary also announced her plan for a possible trip to Africa.

After the Secretary took her leave, the meeting continued with Dr. Frieden, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Wakefield, the Administrator for Health Resources and Services Administration, and Dr. Hamburg, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Food and Drug Administration, and several representatives from the National Institute of Health.  The HHS Senior Officials discussed current programs in Africa and the possibilities for an increased scope of collaboration including the work on polio, measles, capacity building, laboratory strengthening, disease surveillance strengthening, centers of excellence, non-communicable diseases, maternal health, and drug safety.

Last revised: March 10, 2010