The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Health and the Directorate of Health Research, has made significant strides towards strengthening national health research systems with the successful validation of a National Health Research Governance Framework.

This milestone is the result of a structured, inclusive process supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), bringing together key stakeholders across government institutions, research bodies, academia, development partners and opinion leaders in the field.

Maseru— For many communities in Lesotho, especially those in remote mountain districts, access to vaccines has long been limited by distance, infrastructure, and resources. Strengthening immunization services has therefore become a national priority, one that aims to ensure every child, adolescent, and adult can be protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Brazzaville—Dorothée Bendza, a health control officer, has been deployed at Brazzaville Beach since the declaration of the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). From 8:00 to 16:00, she and her colleague screen passengers. Both are equipped with an infrared thermometer and hand sanitizer. They are on the frontline as travellers arrive from Kinshasa, along one of the busiest routes between the two capitals. “When passengers arrive, we ask them to wash their hands or provide them with hand sanitizer. Then we take their temperature,” she explains. 

Following the ongoing outbreak of Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with reported cross-border transmission into neighbouring Uganda, countries across the African Region have intensified preparedness and response measures to reduce the risk of further spread. Recognizing the significant public health implications of the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 17 May 2026.

Kampala, Uganda:— Health leaders from across Africa have convened in Uganda’s capital for a high-level meeting to strengthen regional preparedness and cross-border collaboration in response to the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

Kampala—The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), together with the Ministry of Health of Uganda and partners, have officially launched a centralized coordination platform to strengthen Africa's capacity to prepare for, coordinate and respond to public health emergencies.

The WHO Country Office in Cabo Verde participated in a capacity building to São Tomé and Príncipe as part of the pilot phase of the new Health District Management Team (HDMT) Training Package developed by WHO AFRO in collaboration with WHO Headquarters and country offices. The mission brought together experts from the three levels of WHO, highlighting the importance of coordinated action to strengthen health systems and Primary Health Care (PHC). 

Yola,  Aisha Ibrahim watched her 18-month-old son, Dauda, play outside their home in Maliki 2 settlement, Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Just weeks earlier, he had become weak, lost weight and stopped eating.

At a time when late diagnosis continues to jeopardize the survival of thousands of women, the province of Huíla is taking a decisive step by strengthening cancer prevention and early detection. The launch of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Project, funded by Roche and with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), marks a concrete shift in how these diseases are addressed, combining scientific knowledge, local capacity-building, and closer engagement with communities.