1. WHO Africa

Infographics

Mali: Greater protection for children against malaria

Bamako, April 2025 – Fatoumata, aged 2 years and 4 months and wearing one of her most beautiful dresses, attended an event of great importance for her health on Friday morning, as her mother Niemba explains: “I was on my way to the community health centre for my child’s routine vaccination; from there, I was directed to the site of the ceremony where a new vaccine protecting children against malaria was being launched.”
Read more »

In African Vaccination Week: Angola pushes ahead with new Immunization Strategy

In an ongoing effort to strengthen public health, Angola is drawing up the new National Immunization Strategy (ENV), designed to consolidate the progress already made and tackle the persistent challenges in the field of immunization. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Health, has the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), GAVI, the Global Alliance for Vaccines, and other strategic partners.

Read more »

World Health Day: Botswana renews commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths

As countries around the world observed World Health Day on April 7, 2025, Botswana used the moment to reflect on its maternal health journey and renew its commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths. The national commemoration, jointly hosted by WHO Botswana and the Ministry of Health, brought together government officials, health experts, development partners, and citizens under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.

Read more »

WHO Representative discussed national health priorities with His Excellency, the Pr...

It was a real honor and pleasure for the WHO Representative to meet the new President of the Republic of Mauritius. The WHO Representative, Dr A. Ancia and His Excellency Mr D. Gokhool covered the three main areas of WHO’s work: to promote, provide and protect health and well-being for everyone, everywhere. Our common understanding of Health as a socio-economic construct said enabled us to discuss the imperative to engage all sectors in addressing the risk factors of, and controlling the most prevalent diseases in Mauritius including: 1. Promoting healthy diet and physical activity, while reducing the high consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs and “junk food” in a multidisciplinary manner and ensuring that we particularly empower the Mauritian youth to embark on healthier behaviors for disease prevention; 2. Providing opportunities for systematic screening and early diagnostic to ensure early and more effective treatment, for the chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, to ensure better health outcomes and avoid overwhelming of the health facilities and health professionals; and 3. Enhancing and institutionalizing the whole country capacities to prepare, early detect and warn, and to respond effectively and swiftly to public health emergencies in the same way as when dealing with torrential rain and cyclones. “We feel this first encounter with His Excellency Mr D. Gokhool is the starting point of a strong partnership with the Office of the President in our mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable”,said Dr A. Ancia.
Read more »

Helping drug users return to a healthier lifestyle through harm reduction approach

Maiduguri, 28 April. 2025 - Getting medical help to stop using illicit drugs saved my life, said 41-year-old *Aliu Musa from Maiduguri, Borno State. (*name changed for privacy).

Aliu abused drugs for 15 years. This affected his work, relationships, and health. “My life was a mess. I was informed that I talked and behaved irrationally anytime I was under the influence of drugs. 

When I was on drugs, I was constantly in pain, couldn't think clearly or do my daily tasks," Aliu said. 

Read more »

Ghana Charts Bold New Path for Health Workforce Transformation

With a health workforce density that has more than doubled in the past two decades — rising from 16.56 to 41.92 per 10,000 people — Ghana continues to make important strides toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). But in spite of these strides, serious challenges persist. Many qualified professionals remain unemployed due to fiscal constraints. Others, including experienced specialists, are leaving for opportunities abroad.

Read more »

Measles and rubella vaccination campaign protects children in Lunda Norte

Maria da Graça, who lives in the municipality of Chitato, remembers with sadness one of the most difficult moments in her life. In 2024, her eldest daughter, then four years old, fell ill with measles. "It started with a fever, then the spots appeared. She became very weak. I was afraid I was going to lose her," says Maria, her eyes watering.

Read more »