Botswana has taken an important step towards evidence-based health workforce planning through the successful implementation of a five-day Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) technical mission from 15-19 June 2026. Convened by the Ministry of Health, Department of Human Resources and Administration with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the workshop brought together national, district, and facility-level stakeholders to improve the quality, analysis, and use of health workforce data.

Brazzaville—Africa Vaccination Week 2026 concluded under the theme “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work,” The theme is more than a slogan; it is a reality that our continent has now proven in real time — and a reminder that immunization remains one of the surest foundations of Africa’s future. The lingering question is whether we will build systems strong enough to ensure that every child, in every community, benefits from them. 

In May 2026, Uganda formally closed a polio outbreak that had been detected two years earlier, marking a major public health achievement and demonstrating the power of preparedness, coordination, and rapid response.

The story, however, began quietly.

In response to the continued circulation of vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) in neighboring countries, Botswana implemented two rounds of Polio Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) to strengthen population immunity and protect its polio-free status. The campaign was prompted by identified immunity gaps among children, sub-optimal surveillance indicators, declining routine immunization coverage in some districts, and the presence of zero-dose children who had not received any vaccinations.

Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo—Behind the blue walls of Bunia Central Prison, where more than 2000 inmates live in close quarters, an Ebola isolation and care unit has been established to provide safe clinical care, protect the health of inmates and staff, and help prevent the spread of the virus as the health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo work to end the ongoing Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.

Dakar – More than 80 experts from 19 African countries work together in Dakar to improve the quality, consistency and use of polio surveillance and outbreak response data, a critical step toward strengthening disease detection, guiding vaccination campaigns and protecting children from polio across the region.

The effort takes place at the Polio Data Quality Assessment and Workstream Coordination Workshop, held from 8 to 19 June 2026 and organized by the Polio Eradication Programme (PEP) of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO).

Asmara - Efforts to build a stronger, more resilient health system are taking shape across Eritrea, driven by a clear focus on integration and sustainability. During engagements from 12 to 15 June 2026, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, connected with national authorities, health workers and WHO staff, gaining firsthand insight into how investments in primary health care, diagnostics, local production, and community-based services are working together to improve health outcomes and strengthen self-reliance.

Abuja – At the United Nations (UN) offices in Abuja, a small line of staff waited quietly. Some checked their phones. Others talked softly. One by one, they rolled up their sleeves to donate blood. They did not know who would receive it. What they knew was simple: someone, somewhere, would need it to live.

Abuja – Three weeks after a caesarean section in Abuja, 47-year-old Fiyin began bleeding heavily. She needed urgent surgery. But first, her family had to find blood.

“My relative had already donated during the first surgery,” she said. “We were calling people, searching everywhere. Some were willing but couldn’t donate. Others were unavailable.”

After hours of searching, compatible blood was found. The surgery went ahead. Fiyin survived.