World Breastfeeding Week 2026: Ethiopia and WHO call for scaling up proven breastfeeding interventions
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia, the Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau, United Nations agencies, development partners, health professionals, and community representatives, commemorated World Breastfeeding Week 2026 under the global theme, "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works."
Strengthening protection and accountability on sexual exploitation and abuse in Benue’s displacement camps
Benue, When Dooshima, who lives in the Daudu Internally Displaced Persons camp in Benue State, joined a community dialogue on preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, she heard something new.
“For the first time, I understood that this should not be accepted, and that there are safe ways to report and get help,” she said. “Now I know my rights and how to support others.”
WHO Representative in Guinea-Bissau Presents Letters of Credence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Bissau—Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo presented, this Friday, 7 August 2026, his Letters of Credence to Her Excellency Fatoumata Jau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. With this protocolary act, Dr. Walter officially takes up the post of Chief of Mission and Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the country.
A completed transition
Traditional leaders strengthen community trust in polio vaccination
Abuja, When a vaccination team arrived in her community in northern Nigeria, Amina Bindawa hesitated. She had heard different stories about vaccines and was unsure what to believe. It was the intervention of a trusted community leader and a health worker who spoke calmly with her that changed her mind.
“I only agreed after they explained why the vaccine was important for my child,” she said. “Now I encourage other mothers to listen and ask questions.”
Government, WHO Sign MOU, Paving Way for Office Building Handover
Lusaka, 7 August 2026 — The Government of the Republic of Zambia today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, formalising the handover of an office building for WHO's use and fulfilling a long-standing commitment enshrined in the basic agreement signed between the two parties in 1964. The agreement commits the Government to provide suitable office accommodation for WHO's operations in the country.
Advancing Health in Eritrea: Insights from Dr Mary Stephen
Asmara, Eritrea – Eritrea has made significant progress in improving the health of its population over recent decades, driven by strong national leadership, investments in primary health care and a commitment to self-reliance. In this interview, Dr Mary Stephen, WHO Representative in Eritrea, shares her perspectives on the country's health achievements, national capacity and WHO's partnership with Eritrea.
Q: Eritrea has made significant progress in health over the past decades. What do you see as some of the country's key achievements?
WHO takes part in the official launch of the TEI-PHI Project in Guinea-Bissau
Bissau—The World Health Organization (WHO) took part, on August 5th, in the official launch of the TEI-PHI Project in Guinea-Bissau, an initiative funded by the European Union aimed at strengthening national public health. The event was attended by the Minister of Public Health, Commodore Quinhim Nantote, the Representative of the European Union in Guinea-Bissau, the Director-General of the National Institute of Public Health (INASA), representatives of United Nations agencies, and technical and financial partners.
WHO donates laptops to strengthen Ghana’s health surveillance systems
The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its capacity for disease surveillance and emergency response through the provision of 205 laptop computers valued at over GHS 3 million to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) under the Pandemic Fund Project.
Ethiopia to Host the Seventy-sixth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | August 2026 – The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, will host the Seventy-sixth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) in Addis Ababa from 24 to 28 August 2026.
Angola steps up its strategy to eradicate polio
Following two national polio vaccination campaigns and two campaigns carried out in coordination with the Republic of Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in border areas, which enabled more than nine million children under the age of five to be vaccinated, Angola is translating the lessons learned into concrete actions to strengthen immunization, reach more children, and accelerate efforts towards the eradication of polio.