Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

"Closing the care gap - the role of families" in Breast Cancer battle

The PS outlined that families can foster an inclusive natural environment where individuals feel safe to express their needs

The Ministry of Health, Cancer Unit has recorded 577 cases of cancer between January 2023 and June 2023, 33 of which are cancers of the breast. While many cancer patients in middle-income countries succumb to the disease, 50-year-old Fikile Hlatjwayo is lucky to have survived the deadly disease. Hlatjwayo was…

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    • Dr Kaluwa commended the efforts of the country to respond to the pandemic and strengthening the health systems
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Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

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…

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    • Strategizing to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality in the African Region
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Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Strategizing to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality in the African Region

One of the main roles of WHO/AFRO is to produce, disseminate and monitor the implementation of global guidelines and standards that are adapted to the regional context

The African Region accounted for 66% of the 303,000 maternal deaths recorded globally in 2017.  To address this situation, WHO in collaboration with UNFPA, UNICEF and partners supports Member States to ensure that all women and girls have access to quality and timely health services, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Coronavirus: Botswana, South Africa deepen probe into new Omicron sub-variants

The identified sub-lineages variant are BA.4 and BA.5

Researchers in Botswana and South Africa have detected new sub-lineages of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 and are carrying out further investigations to fully understand crucial traits such as infectivity and virulence. The identified sub-lineages variant are BA.4 and BA.5. World Health Organization (WHO) experts are working with scientists…

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    • Coronavirus: African countries scale back on COVID-19 measures
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Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Coronavirus: African countries scale back on COVID-19 measures

Contact tracing is a key strategy for curbing the spread of the virus and reducing mortality

With new COVID-19 cases significantly dropping, many countries are increasingly curtailing COVID-19 surveillance and quarantine measures. While the need to reopen economies and resume social life is important, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for caution and consideration of the risks involved.  Contact tracing is a key strategy for…

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    • Low funding, COVID-19 curtail tuberculosis fight in Africa
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Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Low funding, COVID-19 curtail tuberculosis fight in Africa

Every year the African region requires at least US$ 1.3 billion for TB prevention and treatment

Inadequate investment and funding for tuberculosis (TB) control in Africa is jeopardizing the efforts to meet the global target of ending the disease by 2030, while the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to roll back progress made so far in the continent, an assessment by World Health Organization (WHO) finds. Every year…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

WHO announces first technology recipients of mRNA vaccine hub with strong support from African and European partners

Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia to establish mRNA vaccine production

At the European Union - African Union summit in Brussels today WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced the first six countries that will receive the technology needed to produce mRNA vaccines on the African continent. Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia all applied and have been selected…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Africa on track to Control COVID-19 Pandemic in 2022

With the aim of controlling the pandemic, WHO is focusing on scaling-up COVID-19 vaccine uptake in countries

Almost two years after Africa identified its first case of COVID-19 (14 February 2020), the World Health Organization (WHO) finds that, if current trends continue, the continent can control the pandemic in 2022. However, WHO warned that continued vigilance is key. Over the last two years, the continent has witnessed…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Omicron spreads but severe cases remain low in South Africa

There are signs of hope as preliminary data indicates that hospitalizations across South Africa remain low

The Omicron variant is reaching more countries in Africa and weekly COVID-19 cases in the continent surged by 93%. However, there are signs of hope as preliminary data indicates that hospitalizations across South Africa remain low. Africa recorded more than 107 000 cases in the week ending on 5 December,…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

WHO Stands with African Nations and Calls for Borders to Remain Open

Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods

As a growing number of countries impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new Omicron variant, World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to follow science and the International Health Regulations (2005). Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but…