Abuja, 8 May, 2024 - Malaria remains a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria, where the disease is endemic.

For many families in Nigeria, the threat of mosquito bites poses a constant risk, impacting both their health and financial stability. However, the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) has been a game-changer, especially for families like that of Mr Unguwar Ayuba, residing in Maikunkele locality, Niger State. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the government of Namibia hosted the inaugural Africa Health Workforce Investment Forum in Windhoek, from 06 – 08 May 2024 themed “Aligning and Stimulating Investments to Address Health Workforce Challenges in Africa”. The Forum brought together over 180 participants across Africa and globally, including Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Partners, and stakeholders from the health, education, finance, labour, and private sectors.
 

In Semera-Logoa City on May 1st and 2nd, 2024, the Ministry of Health, the Afar Regional Health Bureau, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and the World Health Organization (WHO), collaborated to interpret the final report of the Health Resources and Services Availability Monitoring System (HeRAMS) for Afar, Ethiopia. This collaborative effort, attended by 55 participants from various government offices and partner organizations, focused on validating and analyzing HeRAMS data to enhance informed decision-making in healthcare.

Mauritius recently made a significant step forward in its ongoing struggle against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Indeed, the presentation of the Mauritius Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity 2024-2030 on April 25 by the Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Actions to Accelerate the Prevention and Management of Obesity represents a clear signal of the country’s intention to curb the scourge of the NCDs which account for 80% of the disease burden and 85% of mortalities.  

Windhoek – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and partner organizations today launched the region’s first-ever health investment charter that aims to align and drive sustainable investment in the health workforce.

In the face of global health emergencies, timely and effective response measures are critical for saving lives and mitigating the impact of crises. A significant step towards achieving this goal occurred during a consultation meeting including WHO, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) and other partners on April 21st and 22nd, 2024, in Addis Ababa. Experts from both RRTs and EMTs convened to explore the possibility of integrating these programs at the national and sub-national levels.

In a world where emergencies and disasters can strike at any moment and anywhere, the importance of proactive preparation cannot be overstated. Central Equatoria State in South Sudan is pioneering a groundbreaking initiative to bolster its resilience against potential hazards, through the development of hazard-specific contingency plans at the county level, the State is taking proactive steps to mitigate the impact of emergencies and disasters on public health and safety.

Windhoek – Namibia has become the first country in Africa – and the first high-burden country in the world - to reach a significant milestone on the path towards eliminating vertical mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and viral hepatitis B. 

Eastern and Southern Africa is home to more than half the world’s HIV burden and Africa accounts for two thirds of new hepatitis B infections globally. Namibia is home to more than 200 000 people living with HIV and new infections disproportionately impact females.