Kagera — As part of its commitment to strengthening health security under the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and protecting communities from public health emergencies, the Government of Tanzania has intensified cross-border preparedness efforts against the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak affecting neighboring countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to support the Ministry of Health in strengthening preparedness for public health emergencies and advancing disease prevention efforts across Botswana. Recent initiatives have focused on reinforcing national readiness for Ebola virus disease and supporting preparations for a nationwide schistosomiasis control campaign. 

Praia, Cabo Verde. With the aim of creating a learning platform to facilitate the exchange of experiences between countries and partners, gather lessons learnt, and support the development of future strategies to strengthen health fiscal policies, officials from the Ministries of Finance and Health attended a regional workshop entitled “From experience to impact: lessons and innovations in tobacco and other health taxes”. This workshop was organized by the University of Cape Town, a

When African Vaccination Week (AVW) 2026 campaign began in the remote chiefdoms of Kailahun District in eastern Sierra Leone, health workers expected the usual challenges of reaching communities separated by long distances, poor roads and difficult terrain. Instead, they encountered a different obstacle - fear.

Praia, Cabo Verde. The World Health Organization (WHO) actively participated in the 2nd Summit on Health Care Integration in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), held from 13 to 15 May 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a meeting that brought together policymakers, experts and partners to promote the integration of healthcare in CPLP countries. 

Botswana is reinforcing its commitment to protecting public health through stronger multisectoral collaboration on tobacco control. In May 2026, government institutions, civil society organizations and development partners came together to advance efforts aimed at reducing the health and social impacts of tobacco use and preventing interference from the tobacco industry.

Freetown - The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) have received sixteen Honda motorbikes from the World Health Organization (WHO), with support from the Pandemic Fund, to strengthen public health emergency preparedness and response across Sierra Leone.

Botswana launched a national initiative focused on improving the coverage and quality of cause-of-death reporting. The initiative forms part of Botswana’s broader efforts to strengthen health information systems and ensure that mortality statistics provide a sound basis for evidence-informed decision-making.

Praia, Cabo Verde. The World Health Organization (WHO) participated virtually in the 9th International Congress on Ageing, held from 18 to 22 May, under the theme “Ageing without growing old”.

When Mariama Kallon gave birth to her third child at Kailahun Government Hospital in eastern Sierra Leone, she expected the same experience as with her first two deliveries: uncertainty, pain, and the feeling that she was largely on her own once the baby arrived.