The end of Ebola outbreak in Uganda demonstrates World Health Organization (WHO)’s value in controlling and stopping diseases

With the international imperative to prevent cross-border transmission, health workers were rapidly reoriented, thermal scanners were deployed, and screening protocols were enforced at 13 key entry points, especially at Entebbe International Airport

Uganda has officially declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak, which was confirmed on 30 January 2025 by Uganda’s Ministry of Health. The outbreak infected 14 people, two of whom were probable (not confirmed by laboratory tests) and caused four deaths (including two probable).  Disease outbreaks, such as Ebola,…

African health experts commit to accelerate efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases

WHO is working closely with Member States and partners to adapt public health strategies, enhance surveillance, and ensure timely responses to evolving NTDs challenges

African health experts have renewed commitment to accelerate efforts to end Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) that continue to affect over a billion people globally, 40% of whom live in the African region. Meeting in Togo from 15 to 17 April 2025 for the NTD Programme Managers meeting, the experts also…

Prioritizing road safety in Botswana

Thus road traffic authorities have placed a strong emphasis on making roads safer for pedestrians, and particularly for children, who account for almost a quarter of road accident casualties

To improve road safety and reduce the risk of road traffic injuries and deaths, Botswana is implementing a range of measures from widespread public education programmes to enforcing stricter traffic laws that have begun paying off. One of the most significant outcomes is the reduction of the legal blood alcohol…

African Health Ministers Launch Drive to Curb Sickle Cell Disease Toll

More than 66% of the 120 million people affected worldwide by sickle cell disease live in Africa

African health ministers today launched a campaign to ramp up awareness, bolster prevention and care to curb the toll of sickle cell disease, one of the most common illnesses in the region but which receives inadequate attention.  More than 66% of the 120 million people affected worldwide by sickle cell…

Healthy Life Expectancy in Africa Rises by Almost Ten Years

Improvements in the provision of essential health services, gains in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, as well as progress in the fight against infectious diseases

Healthy life expectancy in the African region has increased on average by 10 years per person between 2000 and 2019, a World Health Organization (WHO) assessment reports. This rise is greater than in any other region of the world during the same period. The report also notes that the disruptive…

World Health Day 7 April 2021

Message of WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti

This World Health Day, WHO is calling on everyone to participate in building a fairer, healthier world. The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on inequalities between countries. Amid shortages of essential supplies, African countries have been pushed to the back of the queue in accessing COVID-19 test kits, personal…

Coronavirus - Africa: Expert panel endorses protocol for COVID-19 herbal medicine clinical trials

The endorsed technical documents are aimed at empowering and developing a critical mass of technical capacity of scientists in Africa

The Regional Expert Committee on Traditional Medicine for COVID-19 formed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Union Commission for Social Affairs has endorsed a protocol for phase III clinical trials of herbal medicine for COVID-19 as well as a…

Coronavirus - Africa: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations from China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) to support Ebola surveillance operations in Northeastern DRC

PPE donations from cidca official to support Ebola surveillance operations in Northeastern DRC since the end of the outbreak in June 2020. The supplies will also reinforce the COVID19 response in the area & Ebola responders in Mbandaka.  

WHO Africa Online Press Briefing on COVID-19 in Africa

The media briefing is facilitated by APO Group

Please join an online media briefing with representatives from the World Health Organization (https://www.WHO.int/), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Equatorial Guinea.  The briefing is on-the-record and it is an opportunity for you to ask questions about COVID-19 in Africa. The media briefing is facilitated by APO Group. Speakers Dr…

Coronavirus - Uganda: How Previous Ebola Virus Disease Outbreaks Helped Uganda Respond to COVID-19 Outbreak

Years of investment in human resources, equipment and modest infrastructure came in handy when COVID-19 struck giving the country a reasonably decent response to the outbreak

For many public health workers in Uganda, responding to disease outbreaks of epidemic potential in not new. This is because the country has been in preparedness and response modes for quite some time and its disease outbreak system has regularly been tested over the years. Uganda has had four Ebola…