On 17 November 2024, Namibia joined the rest of Africa in commemorating Africa Road Safety Day and the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region. This significant event, observed on the third Sunday of November every year, highlights the urgent need for better road safety measures, the preservation of human life and support for those affected by road traffic crashes. It is a time to remember victims, advocate for improved post-crash responses, and take action to save lives across the continent.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as one of the most significant health and development challenges of the 21st century. These diseases, which include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are responsible for 41 million deaths each year, with 85% of premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

Zomba - In the remote community of Tongwe, an island on Lake Chirwa in Zomba district, Malawi, a small crowd gathers under the shade of an old mango tree as health workers prepare for the day’s vaccination drive. Among them is Mercy Simate, 34, a mother of six.  

She sits quietly, holding her four-month-old daughter, Victoria, on her lap. Today is a special day for Mercy and her youngest child. Victoria is about to receive her first doses of the Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DPT), Pneumococcal Conjugate, and Rotavirus vaccine. 

Kampala. The World Health Organization (WHO) with  support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has trained 43 Most At Risk Populations Initiative (MARPI) health service providers to support surveillance activities and risk communication and reporting of mpox among key  populations in Kampala and other districts of their reach. 

By Dr Joana Ansong, Team Lead for the Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable

Lagos,18 November, 2024 - When 52-year-old Adeola Akinyemi, a trader residing in Lagos, received her Type 2 diabetes diagnosis ten years ago, her world shifted. The news came as a shock, yet it set her on a journey that would change her dietary and sedentary lifestyle.

“I remember feeling constantly tired, always thirsty, and frequent the toilet at night”, says Adeola. “I was losing weight rapidly despite eating well. It wasn’t until I went for a routine check-up that I discovered my blood sugar levels were dangerously high.”

Kampala, Uganda– The fifth edition of the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) recognized and celebrated individuals and institutions making exceptional contributions to Uganda’s health sector.

In our constant quest to promote a healthy lifestyle, we still face the challenge of protecting ourselves against pathogens that challenge our immune system. In this context, vaccines emerge as a powerful ally, strengthening our natural defence and reducing disease risk. Exploring the essential role of vaccines in maintaining an entire and healthy life is crucial to understanding how to guarantee energy and vitality in the face of everyday challenges.

Malabo – WHO Country Office in Equatorial Guinea organized a staff retreat between the 11 – 13 November 2024, in Bata city of the Continental Region to strengthen teamwork and drive progress. The retreat provided staff members an opportunity to discuss progress, address challenges in their work, strengthen partnerships, and explore strategies for career growth and fulfillment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant step towards addressing the growing issue of substance abuse in Liberia by donating essential medical supplies to the Ministry of Health (MOH). This timely intervention, supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, will empower healthcare providers to effectively treat and rehabilitate at-risk youth suffering from substance-use disorders (SUDs).