Video News Release: WHO Africa Online Briefing

Congo Applies COVID-19 Genomic Sequencing Skills to Other Disease

Congo’s National Public Health Laboratory is anticipating support from the World Bank to develop its own genomic sequencing capacities

Two years after the start of the pandemic, the Republic of Congo has begun to apply the genomic sequencing capacities developed in the fight against COVID-19 to other pathogens, including those responsible for malaria, tuberculosis or diarrhoeal diseases in young children. “Thanks to genomic sequencing, the authorities are informed almost…

Vaccinating Liberia’s Vulnerable Communities Against COVID-19

Efforts are underway to achieve high levels of vaccination among high-priority groups

Liberia has made headway with its COVID-19 vaccination having fully vaccinated 70% of the total eligible population since March 2021, when the vaccination programme kicked off. Robust coordination between the government and its partners, an effective COVID-19 steering committee and multiple mass vaccination campaigns have contributed to the country’s success.…

New ICUs Set to Open at Hospitals Across Lesotho

At Mafeteng Hospital in southwestern Lesotho, an eight-bed intensive care unit will feature a ventilator with piped oxygen and can accommodate a dedicated wing for COVID-19 patients

Critical care patients in Lesotho will soon be spared a trip to South Africa to receive treatment. The country is on the verge of opening its first intensive care units in public hospitals. At Mafeteng Hospital in southwestern Lesotho, an eight-bed intensive care unit will feature a ventilator with piped…

Delivering Progress in Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccination Drive

The African Vaccine Acquisition Trust has delivered around 7% and the rest are from other sources

Africa has made progress in COVID-19 vaccination. The continent has to date received around 824 million COVID-19 vaccines. The COVAX Facility, the multilateral platform established to facilitate equity in global vaccine distribution, has delivered more than 60% of these doses, while around 33% have been procured by countries through bilateral…

Neglected Tropical Disease Mentorship Launched in Honour of Dr Mwele Malecela

The mentorship programme will provide African women with leadership training skills as well as travel and networking opportunities to become leaders and champions

World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced plans to set up a mentorship programme for African women working in neglected tropical diseases programmes. The mentorship is in honour of the late Dr Mwele Malecela, who was one of Africa’s most highly respected female scientists…

Chronic staff shortfalls stifle Africa’s health systems: WHO study

The region’s health workforce is also unevenly distributed by country, ranging from 0.25 health workers per 1000 people in Niger to 9.15 health workers per 1000 people in the Seychelles – the highest in the region

A serious shortage of health workers in Africa is undermining access to and provision of health services even though countries in the region have made efforts to bolster the workforce, a new World Health Organization (WHO) study finds. The study, titled “The health workforce status in the WHO African Region:…

Africa Steps Up Targeted COVID-19 Vaccination of Most at Risk People

The data from June 2022 from 31 countries reporting on COVID-19 vaccinations of high-risk groups shows a significant increase compared with the end of December 2021

Africa is intensifying COVID-19 vaccination of high-risk population groups with some promising signs. Nearly 50% of health workers and people over the age of 60 are fully vaccinated against the virus in countries reporting data to World Health Organization (WHO). The data from June 2022 from 31 countries reporting on…

Video News Release: WHO Africa COVID-19 Online Press Briefing

Strengthening Health Systems Resilience Towards Universal Health Coverage in South Africa

The Director General of the Department of Health, the Heads of Department of all provinces and the participants highly appreciated the rich discussions and ideas that emanated out of the UHC policy workshop

The World Health Organization Country Office for South Africa, in partnership with the National Department of Health (NDoH) and Clinton Health Access Initiative, organized a policy workshop on Strengthening Health Systems Resilience Towards Universal Health Coverage on 19th  and 20th May 2022 in Cape Town. The workshop brought together the high-level health sector leadership…