Feature Stories

Bangui — The Central African Republic has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 829 deaths per 100 000 live births recorded in 2023.

Behind these numbers lie painful realities: women giving birth far from health facilities, long distances to reach the facilities, limited resources and sometimes beliefs that hinder access to care.

Dakar — Since September, Senegal has been facing an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF), a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes or through contact with infected animals. Affecting both humans and livestock, it spreads mainly in pastoral areas and transhumance zones.

Antananarivo — When Lalaina Mihobintsoa speaks about his commitment to combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), his words are simple yet powerful. “I want everyone around me to understand why we need to act,” he says with conviction. A veterinary medicine student, he chose to become an ambassador against AMR to raise awareness in his community. “It’s not complicated: if we share the right practices, we can prevent many problems,” he explains with a smile.

Dakar – As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) silently threatens global health, a Senegalese expert stands out as one of the continent’s most committed voices. Moving between lecture halls and fieldwork, Dr Oumar Bassoum turns challenges into opportunities to protect the  common good: preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Brazzaville —To strengthen health systems and help protect people from economic strain when seeking care, the World Health Organization (WHO) in the African Region and the African Union Institute for Statistics (STATAFRIC) are deepening collaboration to improve how countries measure health spending and monitor financial protection.  

By enhancing health data quality, this partnership is helping governments make informed decisions to ensure resources are used where they matter the most, advancing towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Harare – Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to improve the prevention, early detection and treatment of breast and cervical cancers by integrating cancer and chronic disease services into primary health care. This approach aims to bring essential health services closer to communities and ensure women have equitable access to quality care.

Bulape, Democratic Republic of the Congo –Twenty-five-year-old Héritier Bope Mpona recalls with sadness the impact of Ebola on his life. He lost his daughter, wife and mother to the disease which affected his community of Bulape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province. “I came out alive, but I came out alone,” he says.

The outbreak was declared over on 1 December 2025, around three months after it was confirmed. Intense efforts to control and end the outbreak helped save lives, including Mpona’s.

Cervical cancer remains one of the major public health challenges in Africa, even though it is almost entirely preventable.

On Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, celebrated on 17 November, we spoke with Dr Issimouha Dillé, Adviser on Cancer Control at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, to understand why this disease persists and how we can work together to eliminate it.

Nouakchott — In Mauritania, Rift Valley fever (RVF) continues to demonstrate its danger. Between 27 September and 30 October 2025, 46 human cases were confirmed, including 14 deaths, across 13 wilayas (provinces), mainly in border areas. Since August, 62 outbreaks have been detected in animals, with 235 positive cases and 71 deaths, mostly among sheep, cattle and camels.