WHO Regional Office for Africa / Press Release

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa | Feb 17, 2025

Protecting the Central African Republic’s remote communities from polio

The vaccination team navigated difficult terrain, poor road conditions and the risk of armed groups presence in the area

In the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, the Central African Republic has placed a special emphasis on reaching vulnerable and underserved populations. Populations in mining regions like Zoubala, a locality in the Bossombélé district about two hours from Bangui, the capital, face unique challenges and heightened risks of poliovirus transmission. In…

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Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa | Mar 29, 2022

Coronavirus – Africa: European Union funding boosts COVID-19 vaccination in Africa

The funding is part of the European Union’s (EU) humanitarian initiative for COVID-19 vaccination in Africa

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) is supporting the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) to boost COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and increase coverage in 15 African countries. With a total of €16 million from ECHO, WHO is supporting operational and technical aspects…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa | Nov 05, 2020

COVID-19 Hits Life-Saving Health Services in Africa

A new wave of COVID-19 infections could further disrupt life-saving health services, which are only now recovering from the initial impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to key health services in Africa, raising worries that some of the continent’s major health challenges could worsen. The preliminary analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) of five key essential health service indicators that include outpatient consultation, inpatient admission, skilled birth…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa | Jul 16, 2020

Coronavirus - Africa: WHO urges greater COVID-19 health services in Africa’s humanitarian settings

WHO advises that activities like food distribution or education be adjusted to limit mass gatherings and strengthen infection prevention and control

The World Health Organization (WHO) today called for greater access to COVID-19 detection, testing and care among vulnerable populations grappling with the impacts of protracted conflict and humanitarian emergencies across Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to over 26% of the world’s refugees. Long-running conflicts in regions like the Sahel have…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa | Jul 02, 2020

Coronavirus - Africa: WHO urges strong COVID-19 safety measures as African countries to resume air travel

While open borders are vital for the free flow of goods and people, initial analysis by WHO found that lockdowns along with public health measures reduced the spread of COVID-19

As African countries begin to reopen borders and air spaces, it is crucial that governments take effective measures to mitigate the risk of a surge in infections due to the resumption of commercial flights and airport operations. Many African governments acted swiftly, implementing confinement and travel restrictions in the early…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa | Jun 19, 2020

Africa’s wild polio-free status to be determined in August

If the region is certified in August, it would be the fifth of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions to be declared free of wild polio

The independent Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC), responsible for certifying the eradication of wild poliovirus in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region, is set to make its final decision about the region’s wild poliovirus status in August 2020. Following field verification visits over the past year and thorough critical…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa | Apr 23, 2020

Coronavirus - Africa: WHO urges countries not to let COVID-19 eclipse other health issues

Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa continue to rise, now exceeding 25 000

Public health systems in Africa are coming under severe strain as the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic persists. But as countries battle to bring the outbreak under control, efforts must also be maintained on other health emergencies and progress made against diseases such as malaria or polio preserved, the World Health Organization…