South Africa News

Pretoria, South Africa — 20 February 2026, The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in South Africa, together with the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, convened an expert policy stakeholders’ roundtable, to examine how major global trends are reshaping health systems and what this means for global and South Africa’s future.

Pretoria—World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day provides an important opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to ending diseases that continue to affect the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. NTD are preventable, treatable and, in many cases, entirely eliminable. Yet globally they still affect more than one billion people, imposing an unacceptable burden of illness, disability, stigma and lost opportunity.

Johannesburg—Technical experts from 14 African countries, multilateral development banks, development partners, and global health initiatives are convening in Johannesburg for a three-day Regional Technical Meeting on Innovative Financing for Health in Africa, co-organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the Global Fund. 

Durban—In a major milestone for child health, South Africa has launched a nationwide initiative to eliminate two of the country’s most neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) — schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) and soil-transmitted helminths (intestinal worms) — with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other key partners. Schistosomiasis, like soil-transmitted helminthiasis, rabies snake bites and leprosy, make up the four NTDs that are endemic in South Africa and are of public health concerns.

Pretoria—Breastfeeding is crucial as it is a baby's first vaccine, providing essential protection from diseases and supporting brain development. There is clear and compelling evidence that a decreased or lack of breastfeeding can seriously contribute to poor health, growth and development as well as the survival of infants, children and mothers.

Pretoria—The National Department of Health (NDoH) of the Republic of South Africa, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), today officially launched the Pandemic Fund Project at the Protea Fire & Ice, Menlyn in Pretoria, South Africa.

Johannesburg – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, in partnership with Member States and key stakeholders, has concluded a landmark week of working sessions in Johannesburg aimed at transforming Africa’s health workforce landscape. Held from 7 to 12 July 2025, the sessions focused on strengthening workforce data systems to track health labour market, operationalizing the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter, and shaping the next regional plan for health workforce development.

Pretoria – Each year, more than 8 million people worldwide lose their lives to tobacco-related diseases including over 1 million due to second-hand smoke. These are not just numbers; they are parents, siblings, children, and friends.