This guide to managing public health programmes in Africa is timely. It comes when the region is not only re-organizing, but re-thinking how to ensure that we reach the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals in an increasingly fragmented and difficult context. But with threats come opportunities, and as the region changes focus to face this new world, this guide will equip new leaders in public health with the tools they require to make their mark on health development and security regionally and at country level.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that predominantly affects impoverished populations. It remains a significant health issue in four eco-epidemiological regions: the Americas, East Africa, North Africa, and West Asia and Southeast Asia.

This is the third progress report produced by the UCN Cluster of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa.

In 2023, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa adopted a new strategy for Ending Disease in Africa (ENDISA) 2023-2030.

PEN-Plus contributes to reducing premature mortality from severe NCDs by providing integrated care and services among Africa's poorest children and young adults.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a significant cause of heart failure globally, with over 40.5 million people affected worldwide in 2019. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 23% of RHD cases worldwide, with an estimated prevalence rate of 10.31 cases per 1000 people.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

This document provides an overview of five ‘legacy elements’ that have served the countries of the African Region over the past decade as they responded to an increasingly complex and challenging health landscape.

The African Region accounts for a disproportionately high burden of the HIV epidemic compared to the rest of the world. In 2023, an estimated 25.9 million people were living with HIV in the Region, of which 90% knew their status, 82% were receiving treatment and 76% had suppressed viral load.

The African Region, which is one of the six regions of WHO, covers 47 countries and is populated by approximately 1 190 393 328 inhabitants as of 2022 (1). The countries of the Region face a heavy burden of infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, in addition to a high ratio of maternal and infant mortality, as well as mortality due to anaemia mainly resulting from malaria, malnutrition, noncommunicable diseases (NCD) and road traffic accidents (2–6).