In a significant step towards combating the HIV epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) responded to a call to support the National Department of Health (NDoH) in South Africa, to embark on the path to elimination of triple elimination of HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B.

Mauritius celebrated World Cancer Day 2024 against a backdrop of rising cancer cases, in line with global trends. In fact, the International Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC) and World Health Organization (WHO) predict that new cases worldwide will increase by 50% annually over the next 15 years, and 77% by 2050.  This increase in cases is due to an aging population and the increased exposure to risk factors such tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diets, pollution and insufficient physical exercise.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  In a remarkable move towards strengthening its defenses against potential pandemics, Ethiopia officially launched the Ethiopian Pandemic Multi-Sectoral Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Project (EPPR) on Monday, January 29, 2024. 

Abuja, 06 February, 2024 -  When 11-year-old Morenike Ayeni received the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV), she became one of the millions of adolescent girls to get vaccinated against cervical cancer in Nigeria. 

“Hearing that the government was giving HPV vaccines to girls aged 9 to 14 years, I made sure my daughter got her shot to safeguard her future. “It is better to prevent diseases using vaccines than seeking cures or treatments”, Said Mrs Ayeni, a businesswoman residing in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. 

In response to the increasing number of cholera cases in Zambia’s Central Province, WHO Zambia has undertaken a crucial mission to assess the situation on the ground and map areas for immediate support.

On 15 December 2023, Central Province recorded its first cholera case in Mumbwa district. Since then, the province has witnessed a surge in cholera cases across ten districts, with Chibombo, Kabwe, and Mumbwa being high case-yielding districts. As of 04 February 2024, Central Province has recorded 1,146 cases with 36 deaths. Sixty-five percent of the deaths are community deaths.

Today, the Republic of Angola had the honor of chairing the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the urgent cholera situation in the region.

Heads of States and Government were joined by the Executive Secretary of SADC, alongside representatives from vital international partners including Africa CDC, WHO, UNICEF, and WFP.

After a successful pilot phase of the Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) mass distribution pilot campaign in Bo district in November 2023, the MoH with support from WHO and other partners has initiated a nationwide rollout in the remaining 15 districts with a comprehensive four-day training program for 93 Independent Monitors from the 29 January – 1 February 2024.

Sokoto, 31 January, 2024 - At age 6, Shamudeen Umaru’s (name changed) face was severely disfigured by noma, a life-threatening disease that primarily affects children under the age of 10. 

“The disease started suddenly with a toothache and within a few days, his face had been destroyed. This affected his eating and drinking because most of the food and water poured out from his mouth’’, said Shamudeen’s mother,  Fatima Umaru, from Munwadata, Lela Ward, Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria. 

On 16 January 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) in South Africa, was notified by the National Department of Health (NDoH) of two newly laboratory confirmed cases of cholera in the Limpopo Province. These were from Musina and Blouberg Sub-districts in Vhembe and Capricorn Districts respectively.