The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that health is not just a prerequisite to development but is fundamental to economies, societies, national security, and political stability.  The emphasis on ‘building back better’ allows governments across the globe to re-think their strategies for emergency preparedness and response to avoid and largely minimize the devasting impact witnessed during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mrs Nyanaath Gatleel Luoy, a 29-year-old mother of three, and her fellow villagers have been struggling to access healthcare services due to the long distance they need to walk to reach the medical center in Leer, which is several kilometers away.

"I had to walk 10 kilometers from our village in Kai Gai to seek treatment for my children in Leer hospital when they are sick because roads are sometimes impassable," said Mrs Luoy

Call on ESA countries to restore immunization progress lost during the pandemic

Kinshasa – The number of internally displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has more than doubled to 6.3 million since the end of 2022 amid a spike in conflict and insecurity, as well as natural disasters and disease outbreaks that are deepening the plight of millions of people and exponentially heightening health needs.

Kampala, Uganda – As part of the yearlong celebrations to mark the 75^th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) and commemorate the 2023 World Health Day, staff members at the Uganda Country Office organised a charity drive to support vulnerable children and bring smiles to at least 75 faces.

_{By Tatenda Chimbwanda}