The escalating mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other countries was declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on 14 August 2024.

Over 120 countries have confirmed more than 106 000 cases of mpox since the onset of the global outbreak in 2022. In 2024, there has been an upsurge of mpox in the DRC and neighbouring countries, with about 68,999 suspected cases and approximately 1,255 deaths reported across 21 countries in the WHO African Region as of 12 December 2024.

The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted an intensive training workshop on dossier assessment in Windhoek from 2 to 13 December 2024. The program equipping participants with comprehensive skills in dossier evaluation for pharmaceutical products.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have donated a batch of molecular biology test kits for Mpox to Angola’s National Institute for Health Research (INIS). This collaboration aims to enhance Angola’s capacity to swiftly detect and respond to Mpox cases, marking an important step in supporting the country’s public health system as it confronts the recent emergence of the disease.

Laurinda Pandasala was excited when she gave birth to her daughter, Ana, in July 2023. While the event was joyful, she also experienced underlying anxiety. She wanted the best for her child, especially regarding health care. However, accessing routine childhood vaccinations for Ana in Canduvene, a small city in Angola’s Bié Province community, proved daunting.

In collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to make strides in fostering safe and respectful workplaces across Ethiopia's health sector. A recent milestone in this endeavor was a one-day training workshop on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PRSEAH), held on October 28, 2024, in Adama, Ethiopia. This workshop, supported technically and financially by WHO, underscores a shared commitment to establishing zero tolerance for SEAH in federal health institutions. 

In a symbolic event marked by testimonies and the renewal of commitments to ensure that no child is left behind without vaccination, the Angolan government paid a heartfelt tribute to all the volunteers, partners and health professionals who, over the decades, have dedicated their lives to the fight to eradicate polio in Angola. 

Monrovia, Liberia - In the Kessely Boulevard community, Shedrick Barlee, a 36-year-old father, clutches his one-year-old son, Blessed Barlee, as a healthcare worker prepares to administer the measles vaccine. Since 2021 Liberia has been battling an outbreak of measles due largely to interruption of routine immunization on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. At total of 13 334 cases and 95 deaths were recorded by the National Public Health Institute of Liberia.

Dodoma : In light of a recent Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in neighbouring Rwanda, Tanzania has ramped up its efforts to prepare for potential outbreaks of the deadly virus. To evaluate and improve the country's preparedness, the  World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners, organized a tabletop simulation exercise to test the National Multi-Hazard Emergency Response Plan and the National MVD Contingency Plan.

Kampala – Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) marked its 70th anniversary with a celebratory event in Kampala, bringing together dignitaries including State Minister for Primary Health Care Hon. Margaret Muhanga, Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, MakSPH Dean Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, and Ministry of Health Officials. The World Health Organization (WHO) Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to supporting MakSPH’s work in advancing public health.

For 43-year-old Ramatulai Kamara, a mother of four, the journey with cervical cancer began four years ago when she started experiencing severe bleeding. She sought help at multiple health facilities, seeing different doctors, but the eventual diagnosis brought devastating news: cervical cancer. “When I was finally told what was wrong with me, I cried. I was stressed, and many people said that cancer is deadly. I was also told that my only option was to go to Ghana for treatment, but I had no money for that.