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The 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC75) officially opened on 25 August with a high-level ceremony graced by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, who welcomed delegates and reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to health as a driver of economic development. In his keynote address, President Hichilema highlighted Zambia’s achievements, including allocating 12% of the national budget to health, recruiting 20,000 health workers, and expanding health infrastructure.

In a vibrant display of unity and commitment to healthier lifestyles, the “Walk the Talk: Health for All Challenge” was held on the sidelines of the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, that took place from 25 to 27 August 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia.

The 6-kilometre walk brought together over one thousand participants — including health leaders, policymakers, youth groups, and community members — all stepping forward to promote physical activity and raise awareness about non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

In the buildup of the RC75, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, joined the WHO Zambia Country Office team for a working lunch in Lusaka. The engagement offered a meaningful opportunity to connect, reflect, and align on shared health priorities in Zambia.

Dr Janabi described the lunch as “a valuable opportunity to engage and connect,” and expressed deep appreciation for the team’s dedication to the people of Zambia and their commitment to making a lasting impact.

Praia, Cabo Verde — Strengthening the Capacity of Vector Control Agents

Abuja, In a strategic effort to strengthen health systems and improve access to essential services, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW) has launched a collaborative initiative to integrate sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with communicable disease interventions. 

The Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) successfully concluded a five-day assisted self-benchmarking exercise from 11 to 15 August 2025, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO). The assessment, conducted using the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT), reviewed all regulatory functions to guide BoMRA’s journey toward achieving WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3), the global standard for an integrated, fully functional pharmaceutical regulatory system.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Cabo Verde has strengthened its presence and technical support on the island of São Vicente following the severe floods that affected several communities, including the locality of Salamansa, where three children tragically lost their lives. The visit to the local health post marked a moment of active listening, technical assessment, and strategic guidance to mitigate post-disaster health risks.