Mauritius Takes Bold Steps Toward Climate-Resilient Health System with Landmark health Vulnerability Adaptation and Assessment

Mauritius Takes Bold Steps Toward Climate-Resilient Health System with Landmark health Vulnerability Adaptation and Assessment
Mauritius marks a pivotal moment in its journey towards building a climate resilient health system faced to the growing threats against climate change with the dissemination of the comprehensive findings of the advanced draft Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Assessment report - spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Wellness with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Green Climate Fund(GCF). “As a small island developing state, Mauritius faces unique threats from climate change—rising seas, extreme weather, and evolving disease patterns. This V&A Assessment report is crucial for understanding how climate affects health and for identifying those most at risk.” said Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO Representative, intervening during the opening of the workshop. Mrs M. Ramkhelawon, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Wellness, emphasized the urgency of the initiative : “Climate change is not a distant threat—it is already impacting our health system. This assessment provides the evidence we need to act decisively and protect our most vulnerable citizens”. Mauritius, despite its strong public health infrastructure and commitment to universal health coverage, remains highly exposed to climate-related threats. Cyclones and floods have led to a resurgence of vector- and water-borne diseases, threatening hard-won progress in disease control – highlighting the urgent need for adaptive and mitigating strategies.

Sierra Leone sustains digital health gains through nationwide health facility device troubleshooting for eIDSR

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Freetown - In a major step to sustain gains in digital disease surveillance, Sierra Leone has completed another successful round of nationwide troubleshooting of health facility devices used in electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (eIDSR). Conducted in May and June 2025, the technical exercise covered all 16 districts and aimed to enhance the performance and sustainability of the country’s electronic reporting system.

Mauritius receives the Prestigious Bloomberg Philanthropies Award 2025 for Global Tobacco Control efforts

Mr. Sarwansingh Purmessur, Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mauritius, receiving the Prestigious Bloomberg Philanthropies Award 2025 from Mr. Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries
The World Health Organization (WHO) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mauritius for earning its second international award this year for outstanding leadership in tobacco control. Indeed, Mauritius has once again made global headlines—this time as the recipient of the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control, recognizing the country’s bold and pioneering tobacco control At this week’s Global Tobacco Conference in Dublin, Mr. Sarwansingh Purmessur, Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, proudly accepted the award from Mr. Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries. This is the second global recognition for Mauritius in 2025, after the WHO Director General’s Special Recognition Award – received by Hon Anil Kumar Bachoo, the Minister of Health and Wellness during the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025 in Geneva.

Stronger Health Through Smarter Taxes in Mauritius

Meeting at WHO Mauritius on 20 June 2025 with key ministries to discuss the findings and drive actions against Non- Communicable Diseases in Mauritius
WHO has joined forces with VISA NGO and the University of Cape Town to assess the impact of increasing health taxes in Mauritius. Using a simulation tool, the study examined how tax hikes affect tobacco use, government revenues, and premature deaths. 📊 A 15% annual cigarette tax increase could: Boost excise revenue by 55% Reduce smoking prevalence from 18.1% to 17.4% Prevent 11,600 premature deaths by 2029 Even more ambitious action—a 25% annual increase—could: Double excise revenues Lower smoking prevalence to 16.3% Save 19,300 lives by 2029 On 20 June 2025, WHO convened high-level officials from the Ministries of Health and Finance to discuss the findings, presented by the University of Cape Town’s Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products and a WHO taxation expert.

It’s not the end of the road: Christiana’s story of courage and care In Sierra Leone’s fight against cervical cancer

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Freetown, Sierra Leone – Christiana Kamara, 43, is one of four women who recently underwent life-saving surgery for early-stage invasive cervical cancer in Sierra Leone. A mother of four, her story reflects the personal and health system challenges many women in the country face, but also, the increasing availability of effective care close to home.

“It started with some sharp pain, especially during sex,” Christiana says. “Then I noticed weight loss and a reduction in my body size. That’s when I became really concerned.”

Lesotho moves towards mass treatment of worm infections

Lesotho moves towards mass treatment of worm infections

Leribe – To address the severe impact of parasitic worm infections on children's health, nutrition, and education, the Ministry of Health in Lesotho, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has initiated steps to re-establish its Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program for Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) through the annual administration of albendazole tablets to target both preschool-aged children (1–5 years) and school-aged children (6–15 years).

Partners Unite to Improve Health Outcomes in Kigoma

Partners Unite to Improve Health Outcomes in Kigoma

Kigoma – In effort to advance health and nutrition outcomes in one of Tanzania’s most underserved regions, the World Health Organization (WHO), in its role as lead for the Health and Nutrition theme under the Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP), coordinated a week-long engagement that brought together United Nations agencies and government stakeholders. 

WHO strengthens Chikungunya Case Management Capacity in Mauritius

WHO strengthens Chikungunya Case Management Capacity in Mauritius
“The afternoon session was of especially interest to me since it dealt with the pediatric management of the Chikungunya disease. The presentations were clinically oriented and simple to understand", said Dr Nasseema Aumeer, Consultant in Charge (Pediatrics & Neonatology) of the Sir S. Ramgoolam North Hospital. Now, I am more confident to diagnose and manage neonatal chikungunya, she added. Dr Aumeer was among the 48 frontline health professionals who joined the high-impact training session, organized by World Health Organization (WHO) as part of the national response to the ongoing Chikungunya outbreak. Midwives, Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) nurses, gynecologists, pediatricians and medical Officers, strengthened their clinical competencies to manage Chikungunya cases, particularly for vulnerable groups such as neonates, children, pregnant women and high-risk adults during the intensive training.

WHO, KOICA, and Uganda’s Health Ministry convene high-level national policy dialogue on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in Busoga

WHO, KOICA, and Uganda’s Health Ministry convene high-level national policy dialogue on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in Busoga

Kampala, Uganda. The Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO), and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) convened a high-level national policy dialogue to mark the conclusion of the health system strengthening project for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) in Busoga sub region. The dialogue provided a platform to assess progress, share lessons, and chart the way forward for RMNCAH in Uganda.