Stopping Cervical Cancer and other NonCommunicable Diseases in Africa

Honorable Minister of Health Dr Peter Kumpalume, MP speaking to participants at the opening ceremony of the TOT cervical cancer capacity building workshop
As she felt the cold sting of the needle enter her arm, Alice winced in fear more than pain- understandable as she is only 10. However, a moment of pain could save her from the leading cause of cancer death among women in Africa: cervical cancer. She is receiving a vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV), the main gateway agent in cervical cancer.

WHO and Mercy Ships sign collaborative agreement to strengthen surgical care in Africa

WHO and Mercy Ships sign collaborative agreement to strengthen surgical care in Africa
Efforts to improve surgery and anesthesia services in Africa is gaining momentum following the signing of a collaborative agreement between the World Health Organization in the African Region and Mercy Ships. The agreement aims to increase access to surgical care, and build capacity of health workers to strengthen surgical care delivery systems.

African Health Ministers Endorse Five-Year Plan to Improve Access to Medicines

Dakar/Brazzaville, 29 August 2018 - Ministers of Health from the WHO African Region have endorsed proposals aimed at addressing the shortage of, and access to, medicines and vaccines. The Roadmap for access 2019-2023 - Comprehensive support for access to medicines and vaccines, sets out critical policies, actions and key deliverables to support countries improve access to health products over the next five years.

South Sudan revises its 2007 Essential Medicines List to improve standards and access to Essential Medicines within the health care system

Participants validating the essential medicines list

Juba 27 August 2018 – The Ministry of Health of South Sudan in collaboration with the Health Sector Partners (HSP) and with technical leadership and support from the World Health Organization has validated its 2007 Essential Medicines List.  

This is part of the efforts to improve access to, availability and proper use of essential medicines within the health care system in public and private facilities. 

President Macky Sall of Senegal urges African leaders to prioritise investment in health: Regional Committee for Africa gets underway in Dakar, Senegal

Group picture of participants of the Regional Committee

Dakar, Senegal, 27 August 2019 – President Macky Sall of Senegal has urged African countries to invest more resources into health to address the health challenges facing the continent.
He made the remarks while addressing delegates at the WHO Regional Committee – the annual meeting of health ministers from the 47 countries in the WHO African Region.