Feature Stories

Brazzaville – As the Ebola outbreak resurfaces in the Kasaï province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), neighboring Republic of Congo is mobilizing in response to the health threat. Every day, boats cross the Congo River, connecting communities on both sides and transporting hundreds of passengers. This geographical proximity, combined with strong human and commercial ties, increases the country’s vulnerability.

Goma – Every year on October 10, World Mental Health Day reminds us of the vital role mental health plays—especially in times of crisis. At Virunga General Referral Hospital in eastern DRC, clinical psychologist Annie Kahambu Kikoli has spent the past three years helping people heal. She shares her journey, the challenges she faces, and what keeps her going.

Abuja ‒ Nigeria has revitalized mental health policy and programmes in the last three years. Dr Tunde Massey-Ferguson Ojo, a psychiatrist, global mental health expert and National Mental Health Programme coordinator, is driving this progress. His guiding principle: “There is no health without mental health.”

Dr Ojo sheds more light on the country’s progress, why mental health response in emergencies is critical, and his vision is moving forward.

Kampala – Twenty-nine-year-old Aisha Nangobi is a midwife, a mother of two and a recent widow who has faced more adversity than most her age. Her husband, the first confirmed case in the recent Ebola virus disease outbreak in Uganda earlier in 2025, fell ill suddenly and died within ten days. “When I was told that there was an outbreak and that my husband had died of Ebola, it was really terrible to me,” says Nangobi. “Firstly, I lost my husband and secondly, he died of Ebola. Those two things were hard for me to handle.”

Kampala ‒ Uganda’s Ministry of Health, working with World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, has intensified surveillance, screening and undertaken contingency planning to mitigate the risk of cross-border transmission of Ebola virus disease. This comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo enters its fifth week of Ebola outbreak response in Kasai Province in the central region of the country.

Ouagadougou — “When I found out I was HIV-positive, I thought my life was over. I wanted to die. But today, I’m in great shape. I run my business and live a normal life,” says Alimata, a trader in Dori who has been on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment since 2007. Her calm gaze reflects the challenges she has overcome.

Bamako – “I was ashamed to talk about contraceptives because it is still a taboo subject in some circles where I live. I didn't want to be judged or have people in my neighbourhood talking about me,” says Kadidia, a 19-year-old student in Bamako.

Windhoek ‒ Andra Chigova, a 10-year-old girl from Windhoek, Namibia, is encouraging other girls to get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes most cervical cancers. “I just got my HPV vaccination today. Do not be scared ‒ the HPV vaccine will protect us in the future against cervical cancer,” she says.  

Bissau – In an important step to reduce maternal mortality, Guinea-Bissau has launched its first-ever national guidelines for maternal health, focused on improving care before, during and after childbirth.