Feature Stories

Mfou – To bring specialized care closer to communities and reduce long travel distances for people with severe noncommunicable diseases, Cameroon is gradually implementing the PEN-Plus approach to care, with technical support from WHO and its partners.

Bangui—For more than 30 years Regina Patricia Pepa, a midwife and president of the Central African Republic’s Midwives and Birth Attendants Association, has supported thousands of women throughout their journey to motherhood and become a reference for many generations of caregivers, while remaining grounded by the challenges and realities of childbirth. In her long carer she has combined hands-on experience with teaching, heading the Bachelor’s programme in Nursing Sciences at Bangui University where she lectures.

Kindu – Héritier is 42 years old and an analyst by profession and father of four, lives in Kindu, Maniema province. Like many people living with diabetes in this part of central-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, he faces limited access to care due to the province’s isolation and persistent tensions in the East. "There were times I thought my diabetes would eventually take me. Every day, I just try to hold on, even when it becomes difficult to manage my illness," he confides.

Bassiknou—Long considered a disease of the past, diphtheria continues to affect certain regions of Mauritania. Located in the east of the country, near the border with Mali, the Mbera refugee camp hosts communities particularly exposed, in a context marked by frequent population movements and sometimes difficult living conditions.

Lomé – Protecting health, preventing disease, and improving patient care rely heavily on science. Through research and medical advances, it enables a deeper understanding of health challenges and provides effective solutions. When clearly understood and put to work for the people, science helps concretely to save lives and improve daily well-being.

Lokossa – At Mono Departmental Health Centre in Lokossa, in the south of Benin, Doris Gbaguidi is a renowned name. An experienced midwife, she has been supporting women for over 20 years during the most cruciald moments of their life. But beyond the delivery rooms, providing knowledge is the cornerstone of her professional legacy.

Bouaké - Every day, at the Belleville Urban Health Center in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, Aïssata Coulibaly supports childbirth. A certified midwife for nine years, she is one of those health professionals whose daily commitment makes a difference for women and newborns.

Ouagadougou—In Nabrabogo, a village in the Boussé health district in the Oubritenga region, the rainy season is no longer automatically associated with malaria, which once meant fever and anxiety for families. This time of year has long been difficult for many households. Now it is marked by better prevention and greater attention to protective measures within the community.

Brazzaville – As health threats continue to spread across borders, countries are strengthening how they work together to prevent and respond to outbreaks.

Permanent Secretaries from 13 countries are meeting in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, from 4 to 5 May 2026 for a high-level consultation on cross-border collaboration for health security. The meeting focuses on refining a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen coordination for preparedness and response to health emergencies.

Harare—At a busy maternity ward at Zvishavane district hospital, in Midlands Province in central Zimbabwe, a midwife records the details of a birth into a digital system, just minutes after the event.

Until recently, this information would have been written on paper, taking weeks or even months to reach decision-makers. Today, it is instantly available to health teams across Zimbabwe.