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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. 

Addis Ababa, 5 May 2025 — Ethiopia launched the global commemoration of World Health Day 2025 with a spirited “Walk the Talk” event at the scenic Entoto Park in Addis Ababa. Held on the morning of 27 April, the event brought together a vibrant cross-section of society—government officials, UN representatives, health workers, families, and citizens—united in a shared commitment to promote maternal and newborn health under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Botswana, Dr Fabian Ndenzako, held a high-level debriefing session with the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Modise, to discuss Botswana’s preparations for the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA). The meeting comes shortly after the launch of Botswana’s National Health Insurance scheme, signaling the country’s commitment to strengthening its health system.

National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) play a critical role in translating global immunization guidance into country-specific policies. Comprising of independent national experts, these bodies offer evidence-based recommendations tailored to local needs and contexts, enhancing trust in vaccines, protecting lives and strengthening public health outcomes.

On 24 March 1882, Dr Robert Koch announced to the Berlin Physiological Society that he had discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). This landmark discovery revolutionised the understanding and treatment of TB. By isolating and culturing the microorganism, Dr Koch laid the foundation for effective diagnostic and treatment methods that have since saved countless lives. In recognition of his pioneering work, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1905.

In response to the third call for proposals by the Pandemic Fund, an international financing mechanism with a budget of $500 million, Botswana developed a single-country proposal aimed at strengthening its health systems for pandemic preparedness and response through a One Health approach. The Fund supports countries with multiyear grants to enhance health system resilience, increase investments, and improve readiness for future health threats.

Botswana commemorated African Vaccination Week (AVW) from 24th to 30th April 2025 under the regional theme, “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible.” The weeklong campaign aimed to promote equitable access to immunization and integrate other high-impact child health interventions. In Tsabong District, the AVW activities served not only as an opportunity to provide health services but also to reach some of the district’s most remote and underserved populations.

Freetown - Sierra Leone has taken a major stride toward transforming the nation’s hospital services with the final validation of its first-ever National Hospital Strategy for Services Delivery Transformation. The comprehensive framework—validated today in Freetown—signals a decisive shift toward building a resilient, equitable, and patient-centered hospital system that meets the growing health needs of its people.

Akure, When 30-year-old Ajibola Ibukunoluwa walked into the Comprehensive Health Centre, Isolo in Akure South Local Government Area in Ondo State, she wasn't just bringing her three-month-old child for a routine immunisation shot—she was stepping into a movement.

It was the annual African Vaccination Week (AVW), an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases across the African Region.

The commemoration was held nationwide from 24 to 30 April.