Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Malawi convenes Cholera outbreak review

The AAR presents an opportunity to share lessons, challenges and best practices demonstrated by the response for continued improvement of outbreak management

On August 16, 2023, the Ministry of Health declared Malawi’s biggest Cholera outbreak in history as a no longer a public health emergency. In line with the World Health Organization African guidelines on the aftermath of an outbreak, the Ministry of Health has convened After Action Review AAR meetings at…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

African health ministers kick off region’s flagship health meeting

The meeting will focus on a range of strategies to bolster health systems, enhance readiness and response to health emergencies

African health ministers and government representatives today opened the Seventy-third session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa to discuss and agree on key measures to address the region’s health challenges, advance and promote good health and well-being. The annual gathering – WHO Africa’s highest decision-making body…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Low donor numbers hamper Africa’s national blood services

African countries have made progress by establishing nationally coordinated blood transfusion services

A terrible car accident in late 2022 in Ghana’s southern Akuse town left Nana Serwaa Brakatuo in a critical condition. With a ruptured liver and blood clots in the lungs, doctors said her chances of survival were bleak, without timely and sufficient blood transfusion needed for her surgery. But thanks…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Equipping Health Workers, Media to Fight Misinformation on Cholera

The World Health Organization (WHO)-led trainings such as the one Wanda attended provide skills to identify and debunk disinformation and rumours around health issues, especially during health emergencies or disease outbreaks

When Malawian journalist Suwira Wanda participated in a recent training to sensitize the national media organizations to misinformation, she learnt for the first time that it is possible to be asymptomatic for cholera, but still infect others through contaminated water. It was crucial training for the journalist at Zodiak, one…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

World Health Organization (WHO) 75th Anniversary: Eswatini Commits to the WHO Agenda of Improving Health for the People of Eswatini

In his keynote address, the PM said the Kingdom of Eswatini is proud of the public health successes that have improved the quality of life during the last seven decades

The government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and development partners have congratulated the World Health Organization on its 75th anniversary, and further committed to the agenda of HEALTH FOR ALL. Speaking during a high-level event to commemorate World Health Day and WHO’s 75th anniversary in Manzini City on 13 April…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Africa’s tuberculosis (TB) reduction rate falls short amid slowing global progress

The End TB Strategy also sets 2030 targets to cut TB deaths by 90% and cases by 80% for which the annual reduction progress must be accelerated to 17%

The African region is recording around 4% annual decline rate in tuberculosis (TB) cases. Although the rate is double the global pace, the region risks missing major milestones and targets to end the disease if efforts are not scaled up rapidly. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) End TB Strategy calls…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Cyclone Freddy deepens health risks in worst-hit countries

In Malawi and Mozambique the cyclone tore through amid cholera outbreaks

The devastation by Tropical Cyclone Freddy is exposing major health risks in the hardest-hit southern Africa countries where emergency response efforts are being ramped up to provide relief to affected communities. More than 300 health facilities have been destroyed or flooded in Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique following the devastation by…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Equatorial Guinea confirms eight more Marburg cases

WHO is working with the national authorities to step up emergency response measures

Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Health has confirmed eight more cases of Marburg, bringing the number of confirmed cases to nine since the outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic fever was declared on 13 February. The new cases were confirmed following laboratory analysis of additional samples. So far, there are 20 probable…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Tanzania confirms first-ever outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease

Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio of up to 88%

Tanzania today confirmed its first-ever cases of Marburg Virus Disease after laboratory tests were carried out following reports of cases and deaths in the country’s north-west Kagera region. Tanzania’s National Public Health Laboratory analysed samples to determine the cause of illness after eight people developed symptoms including fever, vomiting, bleeding…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Africa burdened with largest global increase of oral diseases

Oral health remains a low priority in many African countries, leading to inadequate financial and technical investment

Around 44% of the population in the African region suffer from oral diseases, and while the region has experienced the steepest rise globally in oral diseases over the last three decades, spending on treatment costs remains extremely low, a new report by World Health Organization (WHO) finds. Oral health remains…