Strengthening Public Health Security at South Africa’s Borders: First Frontline FETP Cohort Graduates

Graduates celebrate completion of the training
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the National Department of Health (NDoH), and the Border Management Authority (BMA) successfully concluded South Africa’s first ever Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) for Points of Entry (PoE) Frontline staff from 26–30 January 2026 in Johannesburg.

Turning Plans into Protection: Improving Capacity for Better Leprosy Case Management and Mass Drug Administration in Limpopo Province of South Africa

Moderated discussion during the workshop
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Office for South Africa in collaboration with the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the Limpopo Provincial Department of Health, conducted an integrated Leprosy Case Management and Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Training Workshop in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province, from 26 to 28 January 2026.

Neglected Tropical Diseases: an urgent challenge for Angola's health and development

NTD in Angola

By: Dr. Nzuzi Katondi, WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases Officer in Angola

 

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (NTD), marked every year on January 30, is an opportunity to reflect on a public health problem that continues to affect millions of people around the world and thousands of Angolans, especially in the most vulnerable communities.

Over 26 million Children Reached with the Recent Integrated polio vaccination campaign

Over 24 million Children Reached with the Recent Integrated nOPV2 Campaign

The fourth-round national polio vaccination campaign with type two novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2) marked a milestone reaching over 26 million children in all regions, while in 22 zones in seven regions in Amhara, Oromia, Somali, South Ethiopia, Harari, Dire Dawa and Afar regions co-administered with bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV).

WHO launches new global guidelines to create healthier school food environments

School children eating lunch

Nairobi—The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched the WHO Guidelines on Policies and Interventions to Create Healthy School Food Environments, providing countries with evidence-based recommendations to improve the quality, safety and nutritional value of foods and beverages provided, served or sold in schools.

WHO Regional Director for Africa to Visit Ghana for High-Level Health Engagements

RD's arrival

Accra, Ghana 

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohammed Janabi, will undertake an official visit to Ghana from 26 to 27 January 2026 for a series of high-level engagements aimed at advancing Ghana’s health sector priorities and strengthening Africa’s health sovereignty agenda.

Ethiopia declares end of first-ever Marburg virus disease outbreak

Ethiopia declares end of first-ever Marburg virus disease outbreak
The Government of Ethiopia has officially declared the end of its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) following the completion of enhanced surveillance and the mandatory follow-up period, with no new confirmed cases reported for consecutive 42 days.