Mapangano Jeremiah, a truck driver from Nkope in Mangochi, crisscrosses the borders of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa as part of his work. Recently, he received his third Covid-19 vaccine during the recent nationwide vaccination campaign supported by the WHO in February 2024. Having experienced the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic firsthand, Mapangano reflects on the loss of many friends and the profound impact it had on his life.

Addis Ababa ‒ Fourteen-year-old girl Saba. D. (name changed), from Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, has just received her first and final dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer. This cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Ethiopia after breast cancer and each year significant number of women die from it.

Over 4000 women, children and vulnerable communities received access to essential health care services through a targeted outreach programme in Kunene and Omaheke regions thanks to the generous support of the Government of Japan to WHO Namibia and the Ministry of Health and Social Services.  The outreach program spanned over a 12-month period and aimed to increase access to quality health care for vulnerable populations through enhanced outreach health services to reduce preventable deaths and inequities in affected regions and communities.
 

Ethiopia is facing one of its most severe humanitarian crises in recent history, with millions of lives at risk due to widespread hunger, disease outbreaks, conflict, and climate-related challenges. As the situation continues to deteriorate, urgent action is needed to prevent further suffering and loss of life.

Dar es Salaam – Health experts from across Africa, policymakers, civil society organizations and partners meeting for the first-ever conference on strengthening efforts to address the burden of severe chronic disease have called for increased recognition of the emergency presented by noncommunicable diseases and the premature deaths they cause.

Brazzaville – A pioneering health investment charter, a first for the African region, is set to be launched at the African Health Workforce Investment Forum which will take place in Windhoek, Namibia from 6 – 8 May 2024. Key stakeholders will gather to consolidate efforts to drive up investment to counter critical health worker shortages.

Banjul, The Gambia - In a poignant celebration marking World Malaria Day, WHO Gambia joined hands with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and other key stakeholders to underscore the ongoing battle against malaria. Held at the National Malaria Control Programme complex in Kanifing, the event, themed "Advancing Health Equity, Gender Equality, and Human Rights," focused on the critical need for equitable malaria services amidst the disease's resurgence globally.

Cotonou/Freetown/Monrovia — In a significant step forward for malaria prevention in Africa, three countries—Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone—today launched a large-scale rollout of the life-saving malaria vaccine targeting millions of children across the three West African nations. The vaccine rollout, announced on World Malaria Day, seeks to further scale up vaccine deployment in the African region.