Dr Lasuba’s courtesy call on Hon. Moses F. Moyo, Second Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia

Zambia continues to demonstrate strong political will and national ownership in advancing health and well-being. Increased investment in health financing, disease prevention, and system strengthening reflects the understanding that health is the foundation of development. WHO, now over seven decades old, shares this vision, working to save lives and promote well-being for all.

Victoria—The African Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Pooled Procurement Initiative has been awarded the 2025 SIDS Partnership Award in the economic category.

Dar es Salaam—Tanzania joins the world in marking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2025 under the global theme “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!”. A call to action to ensure that no one is forced to choose between health care and basic needs such as food, education or housing.

Across the African Region, as noted by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, financial hardship continues to push millions into poverty, despite progress in service coverage. Out-of-pocket payments remain among the biggest barriers to accessing care.

Dakar – Anaemia remains one of the most critical public health challenges in the African Region, affecting millions of women and children and holding back progress in health, education and economic development. Recognizing the urgent need for action, technical experts representing governments from 21 countries in the Region and development partners gathered in Saly, Senegal, from 2 to 4 December 2025, for a regional workshop on accelerating the reduction of anaemia among children and women of reproductive age.

Freetown—For four months, Yeabu Sesay did what she had always done for others. She showed up for work at Makeni Regional Hospital, tended to patients through long shifts, and carried herself with the calm confidence expected of an experienced nurse. Few people knew that beneath her uniform, she was struggling with a deeply personal health problem that was slowly wearing her down.

Maseru—High in the mountains of Lesotho, where villages cling to steep slopes and winding paths cut through valleys, a remarkable health campaign unfolded. The measles-rubella (MR) vaccination drive reached even the most remote corners of Qacha’s Nek and Mokhotlong Districts, led by the determination of Village Health Workers (VHWs), local chiefs, and parents who refused to let geography stand in the way of their children’s health.

Victoria—Seychelles has validated a comprehensive strategic plan 2025‒2030 designed to protect the health of its people by tackling tropical and vector-borne diseases. This plan lays out clear actions to prevent, control and eliminate diseases like leprosy, rabies, dengue and leptospirosis, while addressing new threats driven by climate change and increased movement of people and goods. 

This opinion piece was first published in Jornal de Angola, a copy of which can be found here: