In response to the increasing number of cholera cases in Zambia’s Central Province, WHO Zambia has undertaken a crucial mission to assess the situation on the ground and map areas for immediate support.

On 15 December 2023, Central Province recorded its first cholera case in Mumbwa district. Since then, the province has witnessed a surge in cholera cases across ten districts, with Chibombo, Kabwe, and Mumbwa being high case-yielding districts. As of 04 February 2024, Central Province has recorded 1,146 cases with 36 deaths. Sixty-five percent of the deaths are community deaths.

Today, the Republic of Angola had the honor of chairing the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the urgent cholera situation in the region.

Heads of States and Government were joined by the Executive Secretary of SADC, alongside representatives from vital international partners including Africa CDC, WHO, UNICEF, and WFP.

After a successful pilot phase of the Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) mass distribution pilot campaign in Bo district in November 2023, the MoH with support from WHO and other partners has initiated a nationwide rollout in the remaining 15 districts with a comprehensive four-day training program for 93 Independent Monitors from the 29 January – 1 February 2024.

Borno, 31 January, 2024 - In a significant development aimed at tackling the pressing public health challenges in northeast Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to align with the government’s vision to provide comprehensive health intervention to the vulnerable population in the region.  

The states in the northeast are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.

Sokoto, 31 January, 2024 - At age 6, Shamudeen Umaru’s (name changed) face was severely disfigured by noma, a life-threatening disease that primarily affects children under the age of 10. 

“The disease started suddenly with a toothache and within a few days, his face had been destroyed. This affected his eating and drinking because most of the food and water poured out from his mouth’’, said Shamudeen’s mother,  Fatima Umaru, from Munwadata, Lela Ward, Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria. 

On 16 January 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) in South Africa, was notified by the National Department of Health (NDoH) of two newly laboratory confirmed cases of cholera in the Limpopo Province. These were from Musina and Blouberg Sub-districts in Vhembe and Capricorn Districts respectively.

Dérica Landa, a determined young Angolan, faced a devastating diagnosis of leprosy in 2022. Initially overwhelmed by despair, she found hope and support through the Angolan Ministry of Health. With proper care and treatment, Dérica embarked on a journey of recovery and healing.

   Target is to vaccinate 2.3 million people in most affected districts

Jos, 26 January, 2024 - While the world was celebrating Christmas on 25 December 2023, the people of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas (LGA) of Plateau State, North-central Nigeria, suffered a gruesome attack that left many maimed, displaced and some dead.