Harare, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe joined the global commemoration of World Health Day 2026 with a renewed call to place science, evidence and collaboration at the centre of efforts to improve health outcomes and strengthen health systems. Held under the theme “Together for Health.

São Tomé,  June 9th – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Principe celebrated the 50th anniversary of WHO’s presence in the country. This official ceremony organized in the Palais des Congres was chaired by His Excellency the Prime Minister, Dr. Américo Ramos in presence of the Minister of Health, Dr. Celso Matos, the WHO Representative, Dr.

Botswana has taken a significant step towards strengthening evidence-informed health policymaking through the launch of the Botswana Data-to-Policy (D2P) Capacity Strengthening Initiative, a collaborative effort led by the Ministry of Health's Health Research and Development Division with support from Vital Strategies, Bloomberg Philanthropies' Data for Health Initiative, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Zanzibar — Zanzibar continues to strengthen efforts toward cholera elimination under the Government-led Zanzibar Comprehensive Cholera Elimination Plan (ZACCEP) 2018–2027, which prioritizes surveillance, water and sanitation improvements, risk communication, and community engagement to prevent future outbreaks.

From a fragile system with a shortage of professionals to significant progress in access to health care and disease control, the story of the World Health Organization (WHO) in São Tomé and Príncipe over the past 50 years is, above all, a story of fruitful partnership.

Nairobi - Kenya's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) handed over 108 electric obstetric theatre beds and a package of women's cancer screening and management equipment at Kenyatta National Hospital on 9 June 2026, in a move intended to strengthen the country's capacity to manage obstetric emergencies and expand access to cervical and breast cancer services.

Early detection of public health threats requires continuous capacity strengthening to detect early and monitor outbreaks and to build effective disease surveillance systems. The Ministry of Health rolled out the third edition of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response guidelines in all 29 districts, using the One Health disease surveillance approach.

Angola marked World No Tobacco Day with a national campaign that included a symbolic march attended by representatives of the Government, the United Nations system, the diplomatic corps, institutional partners, civil society, and, in particular, young people. 

Songwe — The Government of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Health, has strengthened preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease caused by the Bundibugyo strain (BVD) in Songwe Region, increasing the region's readiness score from 76% to 86% through targeted interventions aimed at preventing, detecting and responding to potential outbreaks. 

Lusaka, Zambia - The World Health Organization (WHO) has handed over critical Ebola preparedness equipment and supplies to the Government of the Republic of Zambia, reinforcing national capacity to detect and respond to emerging public health threats.

The consignment includes personal protective equipment (PPE), laboratory reagents, infection prevention and control materials, and specimen transportation supplies to support preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other viral hemorrhagic fevers. 

Responding to a Regional Health Threat