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In Uganda, a country that shoulders the third-highest burden of malaria cases globally, time has become both the enemy and the solution. Every hour a patient goes untreated, the risk of complications and death grows exponentially. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Health, with technical support from World Health Organization (WHO), launched the “24.2 hours initiative” on 25 April 2025. This is a transformative malaria strategy designed to save lives by racing against the clock.

Recently, the WHO Botswana team led by the WHO Representative, Dr Fabian Ndenzako, paid a visit to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) Laboratory in Gaborone. The purpose of the visit was to better understand the current operations, strengths, and challenges faced by NBTS, and to explore areas where WHO can offer technical support to strengthen the country’s blood transfusion system. 

As Ghana prepares to introduce the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD) vaccines into its routine immunization schedule by the end of 2025, efforts are underway to ensure the public is not only informed but also confident in these life-saving interventions.

Maiduguri, To strengthen health infrastructure in conflict-affected areas of Borno State, the Government of Borno, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with funding support from the European Union (EU), has launched the expansion of Monguno Specialist Hospital.

Juba, 14 May – Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, arrived in South Sudan for an official one-day-visit to meet key stakeholders in an effort to ramp up support for health assistance amid the ongoing emergencies.

Dr Ihekweazu met with the Acting Minister of Health, Honorable James Hoth Mai, humanitarian partners represented by Marie Helene Verney, Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator, as well as Timo Olkkonen, European Union Ambassador to South Sudan.

To reaffirm shared commitment to the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign and raise awareness about hand hygiene in healthcare settings, Namibia commemorated the World Hand Hygiene Day at Windhoek Central Hospital on 08 May 2025. The event served as a reminder of the importance of reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and combating antimicrobial resistance through the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programme.

This week, Botswana joins the rest of the world in launching the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week under the theme “Streets for Life: #MakingWalkingAndCyclingSafe.”

Although World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is commemorated globally on 24 March, WHO Botswana extended the conversation into May with a staff awareness session aimed at reinforcing key messages around TB prevention and control. During the session, Boingotlo Ramontshonyana delivered a compelling address, urging colleagues to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing one of the country’s enduring public health challenges.

The World Health Organization joined the Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners to commemorate World Hand Hygiene Day (WHHD), reinforcing the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing infections and ensuring patient safety within healthcare settings.

With Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) now responsible for nearly half of all deaths in Ghana, efforts to prevent and reduce the growing health and economic burden have never been more urgent. From unhealthy food environments and aggressive marketing to limited access to infrastructure for physical activity, the drivers of poor health outcomes are often systemic — requiring strong laws, strategic fiscal policies, and sustained cross-sectoral collaboration.