Infographics

Durban, South Africa - On the margins of the G20 Health Working Group meeting, health leaders from South Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Unitaid co-hosted a high-level side event focused on accelerating progress toward the elimination of cervical cancer—a preventable disease that continues to claim the lives of women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Harare - Zimbabwe has bolstered its ability to detect and respond to poliovirus ooutbreaks with the commissioning a state-of-the-art Environmental Surveillance (ES) laboratory unit within the National Polio Laboratory. This significant milestone, which was marked by an official commissioning ceremony, enables the country to test wastewater for poliovirus, allowing for early detection of the virus and allowing timely response to potential outbreaks.

Maseru, In a significant stride towards bolstering its pandemic preparedness and response capabilities, Lesotho convened its inaugural National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting for the Pandemic Fund Southern Africa Multicountry Project. This crucial gathering, held in Maseru, marked a pivotal moment in the nation's efforts to safeguard its population against future health crises.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO and partners, hosted a dissemination meeting for the Measles Rubella Post Campaign Coverage Survey (PCCS) at the Mulungushi Conference Center. This event brought together key immunization stakeholders to review and discuss the findings of the recent survey conducted following the nationwide measles and rubella vaccination campaign held in September 2024.

Botswana has reinforced its efforts to eradicate polio as part of the global initiative outlined in the 2022-2029 Global Polio Eradication Strategy. At a recent National Certification Committee (NCC) meeting, experts reviewed Botswana’s progress in combating both wild poliovirus (WPV) and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). The country has made notable advancements in surveillance and vaccination, with Dr.

As Uganda commemorates World Tuberculosis Day, we pause to reflect on the immense burden that tuberculosis (TB) continues to place on individuals, families, and communities. Despite being a preventable and treatable disease, TB remains one of the leading infectious killers worldwide, claiming millions of lives each year.

In a landmark event, the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka has received a significant consignment of childhood cancer medicines under the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (GPACCM). This initiative, supported by St. Jude's Children’s Hospital, the World Health Organization, and partners, aims to bridge the gap in access to life-saving cancer treatments for children in low and middle-income countries.

Dr Clement Lasuba, WHO Representative in Zambia, highlighted the importance of this initiative. 

March 2025 – Moyamba District - The Person-Centered Life Stages Approach is transforming Sierra Leone’s healthcare system by aligning services with the needs of individuals from preconception to old age. This approach, a cornerstone of the country’s vision for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promotes integrated, equitable, and responsive care. To bring this vision to life at the district level, the Ministry of Health launched the Spotlight on Districts Campaign, with Moyamba as its first focus.

For weeks, Mansah, a resident of a suburb of Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city, had been battling a persistent cough, fever, and unexplained weight loss. Fear gnawed at her- she suspected Tuberculosis (TB), a disease she knew could have serious consequences. Seeking a diagnosis and treatment at a public health facility would have meant spending nearly an entire day navigating long queues, a challenge given her demanding job.

On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, Zambia joined the global community in calling for urgent and collective action to end TB, the world’s deadliest infectious disease. This year’s theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” resonated deeply with Zambia’s ongoing efforts and renewed commitment to eliminate TB as a public health threat.