Infographics

Integration has emerged as a cornerstone strategy in Ethiopia’s efforts to accelerate the reduction of zero-dose (ZD) children—those who have not received a single routine vaccination. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Integration Resource Guide, integrating health services, such as vaccination programs, significantly enhance resource efficiency and improves overall healthcare delivery.

Roma – On Tuesday April 16, 2025, the National University of Lesotho (NUL) successfully hosted a vibrant and insightful commemoration of World Health Day. Under the theme “Global Action for Universal Health- Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Futures,” the event brought together students, university officials, health professionals, and representatives from other organizations to engage in critical discussions on global health matters.

Juba- The Ministry of Health (MoH) and World Health Organization (WHO) have signed the health systems strengthening output agreement component of the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) today, ushering in a new era of strengthened healthcare across the country.

For years, childbirth for many women in Uganda meant facing it alone, in dim, overcrowded rooms, with no privacy, no comfort, and no one to hold their hand. Husbands waited outside. Health workers were stretched thin. Fear often overshadowed what should have been a joyful moment. Today, that story is changing. Maternity wards are brighter and better equipped. Curtains are only drawn for privacy. And for the first time, many mothers have someone beside them during labour, often their partner. 

Freetown, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone moved a step further in strengthening the national health security system with the validation of the second National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) 2025–2029. The multi-year strategic plan, developed through multi-sectoral engagement and with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to enhance the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies.

Ethiopia has made notable progress in its efforts to reduce the number of zero-dose (ZD) children, these are children who have not received any routine vaccinations. As of April 8, 2025, the country has reached 958,725 children, representing 24% of the estimated 3.9 million zero-dose children nationwide. This marks a significant increase from 16% coverage in December 2024, with nearly 100,000 children vaccinated in just the past two months.

On April 7, 2025, WHO Kenya joined hands with the Ministry of Health, Kajiado County leaders, health partners, and community members to mark World Health Day. The theme for this year is "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures", focusing on efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and prioritizing women’s long term health and wellbeing.

For Meseret Gelaw, a mother in Furustale village of Jimma town in Oromia region, ensuring that her 8-month-old son receives every necessary vaccine is a matter of life and health. 

“I want my child to grow up healthy, free from diseases like polio. When I heard about the vaccination campaign, I made sure he was among the first to receive the polio vaccine,” Meseret shared, holding her son tightly after the procedure.