Women today are more likely than ever to survive pregnancy and childbirth according to a major new report released today, but United Nations (UN) agencies highlight the threat of major backsliding as unprecedented aid cuts take effect around the world. Released on World Health Day, the UN report, Trends in maternal mortality, shows a 40%

Niamey – When 19-year-old Aichatou, from Birni in the Dosso region, found out she was pregnant with her first child in 2023, her hope was for a smooth pregnancy and safe delivery. But she was reluctant to visit a health centre. “My sisters told me the staff don’t pay enough attention to women during antenatal

 Article by Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative to South Sudan Juba - As we mark World Health Day 2025 under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” South Sudan stands at a defining moment in its pursuit of equitable health for all. Nowhere is the urgency more evident than in the area of maternal and newborn

Pretoria – In a significant diplomatic engagement, Ms. Shenaaz El-Halabi officially presented her credentials as the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to South Africa to Hon. Deputy Minister Alvin Botes of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). The ceremony, held at DIRCO headquarters in Pretoria, reaffirmed the strong and longstanding partnership between WHO

As Angola contends with a rapidly growing cholera outbreak that has now affected 17 of the country’s 21 provinces, the World Health Organization (WHO) deployed a high-level emergency mission to support the national response and accelerate coordinated action. From 23 to 29 March 2025, Dr. Abdou Salam Gueye, WHO Regional Director for Emergencies in Africa

Abidjan – In Côte d'Ivoire, nearly 90% of cervical cancer screenings are conducted through self-testing, empowering women to take charge of their health. This approach allows for detection in a private, convenient way – an especially critical advancement given the alarming rise in cervical cancer cases in the country.  Cervical cancer is the leading cancer affecting

Sierra Leone – March 2025 – In a concerted effort to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B (Triple Elimination), Sierra Leone strengthened its healthcare workforce through targeted training of frontline health workers in Makeni and Bo. Held from March 10th to 14th, 2025, the training equipped healthcare providers with the knowledge and

Today marks a pivotal moment in Uganda's battle against malaria, offering hope to families across the country irrespective of where they live. The official rollout of the R21 matrix M malaria vaccine signals a major leap in protecting children from one of Africa's deadliest diseases. By integrating the vaccine into Uganda’s routine immunization program, this

Apac, Uganda – Today, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and alliance partners, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), PATH and CHAI rolled out a malaria vaccination campaign in Apac District, northern Uganda. This makes Uganda the 19th country in Africa to introduce the malaria vaccine into routine immunisation

From March 10–14, 2025, a team from NHS England was in Ghana for a Managed Education Partnership (MEP) scoping mission. In collaboration with the Mental Health Authority (MHA), World Health Organization (WHO) Ghana, and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UKFCDO), the mission aimed to decentralize healthcare training beyond Accra and Kumasi, enhance

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 Uganda, the situation is alarming, with an

Harare – Zimbabwe is strengthening its capacity to detect and respond to poliovirus with the establishment of a new Environmental Surveillance  unit in its National Polio Laboratory. This milestone marks a significant boost to the country’s public health infrastructure, allowing for earlier detection of poliovirus and more effective outbreak response efforts. With support from World