Strengthening Routine Immunization and Outbreak Response in Malawi, HPV and Mpox vaccination campaign review meeting
In 2025, Malawi undertook two major public health interventions to protect its population and strengthen health security. First, the Ministry of Health launched a nationwide HPV Multi-Age Cohort (MAC) campaign in October, targeting girls aged 9–18 years and transitioning to a one-dose schedule for 9-year-olds. This strategic move aimed to close coverage gaps and accelerate progress toward cervical cancer elimination.
Building regulatory laboratory capacity: WHO conducts regional hybrid training on portable and low‑cost detection of contaminants in medicines
Since October 2023, WHO has issued several Global Medical Product Alerts concerning oral liquid medicines contaminated with ethylene glycol (EG) and/or diethylene glycol (DEG). These incidents have been associated with the deaths of more than 300 children worldwide.
Uganda Deploys 348 New Community Health Extension Workers to Strengthen Integrated Services Delivery
Kampala: Uganda’s ambition to transform Primary Health Care through resilient community health systems entered a decisive phase on 4 March 2026, when a cohort of 348 newly trained Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) was passed out in a high-profile ceremony held in Mbarara City and Rukungiri District.
Botswana Pandemic Fund project Technical Working Group reviews progress and priorities
Gaborone, 17 March 2026 – The Botswana Pandemic Fund project Technical Working Group (TWG) convened to review implementation progress, financial performance, and coordination among partners supporting national pandemic preparedness and response efforts.
Harnessing Local Resources to Build Health System Resilience in Amuru District
Gulu, Uganda:- When cholera erupted in Lorikowo West Village on July 2, 2025, Amuru District once again found itself confronting a familiar and exhausting pattern. Positioned along the porous Uganda–South Sudan border and surrounded by refugee-hosting districts such as Lamwo and Adjumani, Amuru has long been vulnerable to emerging and re-emerging disease outbreaks.
In 2025 alone, the district suffered three separate outbreaks, mpox, cholera and measles, each testing the limits of an already strained health system.
Minister of Health and WHO Representative visit Lakes and Warrap States to bolster health service delivery
Juba - The Minister of Health, Hon. Sarah Cleto Rial, together with the Undersecretary, Directors General, Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Health Committees from the National Legislative Assembly and Council of States, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in South Sudan, Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, wrapped up a two-day high-level field visit to Rumbek Centre in Lakes State and Gogrial West County in Warrap State from 11- 13 March 2026.
Sustaining vaccine gains through stronger rotavirus surveillance in Ghana
Rotavirus surveillance continues to demonstrate the positive impact of vaccination in Ghana. The World Health Organization (WHO) convened a rotavirus surveillance review meeting in Koforidua that brought together surveillance focal points from collaborating health facilities, the sentinel site at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the Regional Reference Laboratory at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
International Women’s Day 2026: WHO drives inclusion: screening and equity for women in custody and staff
Belgium’s Support Boosts Health Sector Coordination in Uganda
Kampala: The World Health Organisation (WHO) Uganda, with financial support from the Embassy of Belgium in Uganda, has significantly strengthened partner coordination, policy dialogue, and collective action across Uganda’s health sector throughout 2025. Belgium’s contribution enabled the WHO to convene and mobilise a wide range of health partners around national priorities, reinforcing coherence and alignment in the sector.
From outbreak to readiness: High-level visit highlights stronger health security in Kagera
Kagera — During a recent high-level visit to Kagera Region, senior representatives from the Government of Tanzania, the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the World Health Organization (WHO) came together to see firsthand how FCDO-funded investments made during the 2025 Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak have laid the groundwork for lasting health security.