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Tobacco use remains the single most preventable cause of death globally, claiming millions of lives each year and burdening health systems with avoidable disease.

In 2022, 11.2% of Namibians aged 15 and over were smokers, with a significantly higher prevalence among men (19.2%) compared to women (4.0%). Youth tobacco use remains a significant concern, with 31.1% of those aged 13-15 using tobacco products. Namibia loses approximately 1,700 lives each year due to tobacco-related diseases and faces substantial economic costs. 

Violence against children in Namibia remains alarmingly high despite the government's commitment to ending it. 

The 2019 Namibia Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) shows that nearly 40% of girls and 45% of boys suffered from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during childhood. Physical violence is the most widespread, affecting 32.9% of girls and 41.2% of boys before they turn 18. 

Angola has launched one of the largest public health campaigns in its history: vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer. The goal is clear and urgent: to protect more than two million girls aged between 9 and 12 across the country between October 27 and November 7. 

Harare—As part of the ongoing efforts to combat Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), (commonly known as sleeping sickness) in Zimbabwe, World Health Organization hosted a three-day Laboratory Diagnosis and Surveillance Training. The training brought together a team of 20 laboratory personnel, clinicians, and field officers from areas at risk of HAT transmission. These includes staff working in safari camps and health facilities near endemic areas around Kariba Lake.

Freetown—The Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC Foundation, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and key health partners, convened a joint dissemination meeting to share the findings of the end-term reviews of the National Strategic Plans (NSPs) for malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, and to officially launch the development process for the 2026–2030 NSPs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) joined the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) and other stakeholders in the commemoration of World Mental Health Day under the global theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”. The observance highlighted the urgent need to address the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian crises. The day also marked World Suicide Prevention Day under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to action, “Start the Conversation”.

This opinion piece was first published in Jornal de Angola, a copy of which c

The World Health Organization Ethiopia (WHO) country office continues to support the Government of Ethiopia in advancing the digitalization and modernization of its public health emergency systems, helping ensure timely data-driven decisions for preparedness and response.

Op-Ed By Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan

South Sudan is combating its largest and longest cholera outbreak since independence in 2011. The outbreak, which began in September 2024 has been sustained for now one year, testing the country’s experiences, defining new frontiers to interrupt transmission and providing new lessons for future similar outbreaks.