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WHO launches commission to foster social cohesion and address loneliness as a pressing health threat
People without enough strong social connections are at higher risk of stroke, anxiety, dementia, depression, suicide and more
World Diabetes Day 2023: Need for equitable access to care for people with TB and diabetes
People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing TB and are more likely to experience poor treatment outcomes, including death
Nigeria to vaccinate 7.7 million girls against leading cause of cervical cancer
This is the third most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 15 and 44 years
18 million doses of first-ever malaria vaccine allocated to 12 African countries
Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the DR Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda, will now introduce the vaccine into their routine immunization programmes for the first time
Sudan: Women and girls hit hard by attacks on health
UN agencies warn that health facilities in several states, including the Darfurs, are facing critical shortages of medical supplies
Africa's largest polio vaccination drive since 2020 targets 21 million children
Exercise comes in response to 14 detections in Niger, Chad and the Central African Republic
The real impact of the new Malaria vaccine in Kenya
Since the vaccine was introduced in parts of Kenya, hospitalizations for children under 5 for severe malaria have fallen substantially, and there is a drop in child deaths
Africa needs to vaccinate 33 million children to put progress back on track
African Vaccination Week and World Immunization Week (24–30 April) theme is “The Big Catch-Up”, to reach kids who missed vaccinations, and to restore and strengthen routine immunization programmes
Floods raise cholera risk even as cases decline in Africa
Twelve African countries are currently reporting cases, as WHO supports countries in disease detection and stepping up readiness and provides medical supplies.
A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth: UN agencies
New data show major setbacks for maternal health in many parts of the world, highlighting stark disparities in healthcare access
Combating neglected tropical diseases
More countries have eliminated these forgotten diseases but more investments are required to sustain progress
Uganda declares end of Ebola disease outbreak
Last patient was released from care on 30 November when the 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreak began
Tackling emerging anti-malarial drug resistance in Africa
A new WHO strategy builds on lessons learned from past global plans and complements existing strategies
Horn of Africa: Climate-related health crisis worsens as disease outbreaks surge
Seven countries in the region recorded 39 reported outbreaks, flooding and other acute public health events between 1 January and 30 October 2022
How TB infections, deaths increased during COVID-19 pandemic
Ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East have further exacerbated the situation for vulnerable populations
Reversing suicide, mental health crisis in Africa
Launched ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, campaign aims to reach 10 million people, galvanize support to increase focus and funding for mental health efforts.
Healthy life expectancy in Africa rises by almost ten years
The sharp rise during the past two decades is a testament to the region’s drive for improved health and well-being of the population.
COVID-19 deaths in African region to fall by nearly 94% in 2022
World Health Organization analysis is based on new modelling
Southern Africa faces uptick in COVID-19 cases
Although cases have risen, hospitalization in South Africa remains low
Over 1 million African children protected by first malaria vaccine
Ahead of World Malaria Day (25 April), WHO calls for continued innovation to save lives.
Africa’s fight against TB: the gains and the challenges
What is hindering Africa’s efforts to eradicate tuberculosis?
Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake increases by 15%
Around 62 million doses were administered across the continent in February up from 54 million in January.
New push to drive up Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination
Mass vaccination campaigns in 10 priority countries to reach 100 million people by the end of April 2022
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
‘It will be a game changer’ – says WHO Director-General at South African mRNA Technology Transfer Hub
The technology will not just for COVID-19 but also for malaria, TB and HIV
South Africa’s mRNA hub progress is foundation for self-reliance
It will ensure Africa has the production capacity essential for equitable vaccine rollout
Africa on track to control COVID-19 pandemic in 2022
Since the start of the pandemic, the continent’s capacity to manage COVID-19 cases has gradually improved.
Africa needs to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination six-fold
The slow uptake in COVID-19 vaccines in Africa requires global partners and countries to reset their programmes.
Tonnes of COVID-19 health care waste pose a challenge
WHO says there is an urgent need to improve waste management systems
Cases drop for first time as Africa’s fourth COVID-19 wave ebbs
Newly reported cases fell by 20% in the week to 16 January, while deaths dropped by 8%.
COVAX delivers its 1 billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose
COVAX is working with governments, manufacturers and partners to ensure that when countries receive vaccines they can get them to people quickly.
Omicron-fuelled COVID-19 surge in Africa plateaus
So far 30 African countries have detected the Omicron variant.
HIV drug resistance growing
WHO releases HIV drug resistance report 2021.
Africa’s sharp increase in diabetes making COVID-19 worse
Fighting the diabetes epidemic in Africa as critical as the battle against COVID-19.
WHO recommends groundbreaking malaria vaccine for children at risk
Historic RTS,S/AS01 recommendation can reinvigorate the fight against malaria.
15 African countries hit 10% COVID-19 vaccination goal
Nine, including South Africa, Morocco and Tunisia, had reached the 10% goal at the beginning of September and another six managed to sprint ahead to reach the target this month due to rising vaccine deliveries.
New study challenges understanding of pandemic preparedness and resilience in Africa
Results show that high levels of preparedness and resilience should not be equated with low vulnerability.
Eight in 10 African countries to miss crucial COVID-19 vaccination goal
COVID-19 cases are declining slightly but remain stubbornly high.
African countries commit to ending all forms of polio at regional meeting
Almost 100 million children have been vaccinated against polio since July 2020, after activities were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
West Africa COVID-19 deaths surge amid Ebola and other outbreaks
Vaccine shipments seem to be taking off but Africa is encountering headwinds.
Record weekly COVID-19 deaths in Africa
Over 6400 deaths were recorded, a 2% rise compared with the previous week.
COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa ramp up
The rise in vaccine shipments comes as Africa sees its second week of falling case numbers after a steep and unbroken eight-week surge.
Driving COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Ghana’s hard-to-reach communities
Ghana was the first country in the world to receive vaccines through COVAX in late February.
Pivotal point in Africa's COVID-19 third wave
WHO urges African countries to urgently ramp up COVID-19 vaccinations as the squeeze on vaccine shipments eases.
COVID-19 deaths in Africa surge
Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia accounted for 83% of the new deaths recorded in the past week.
Rife COVID-19 variants fuel Africa’s surging wave
With case numbers doubling every three weeks, the Delta variant is spreading to a growing number of countries.
Africa faces steepest COVID-19 surge yet
The COVID-19 upsurge comes as the vaccine supply crunch persists.
COVID-19 cases surge in Africa, near first wave peak
A lack of adherence to transmission prevention measures has fuelled the new surge that coincides with colder seasonal weather in southern Africa and as more contagious variants spread.
Nine in 10 African countries set to miss urgent COVID-19 vaccination goal
Just 2% of the continent’s nearly 1.3 billion people have received one dose and only 9.4 million Africans are fully vaccinated.
Viral Facts Africa initiative to combat dangerous health misinformation
Tracking the focus of misinformation circulating on social media is difficult, but African fact-checking organizations say they have debunked more than 1300 misleading reports since the onset of the pandemic.
West African countries ramp up Ebola preparedness
WHO has disbursed US$ 1.25 million to support the response in Guinea and to reinforce Ebola readiness in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
African countries engaging in ground-breaking COVID-19 vaccine initiative
Governments, private sector and manufacturers working together to procure enough vaccine doses to protect the most vulnerable populations on the continent.
Togo is first African country to end sleeping sickness as a public health problem
The country's achievement comes after more than two decades of sustained political commitment, surveillance and screening of cases
Africa eradicates wild poliovirus
The last case of wild poliovirus in the region was detected in 2016 in Nigeria.
WHO, UNICEF urge safe school reopening in Africa
Urge governments to take measures to limit the spread of the virus.
Africa marks six months of COVID-19
The virus is now moving from high density urban areas to to rural areas with lower population density.
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