Feature Stories

Kampala ‒ Uganda’s Ministry of Health, working with World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, has intensified surveillance, screening and undertaken contingency planning to mitigate the risk of cross-border transmission of Ebola virus disease. This comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo enters its fifth week of Ebola outbreak response in Kasai Province in the central region of the country.

Ouagadougou ‒ “When I found out I was HIV-positive, I thought my life was over. I wanted to die. But today, I’m in great shape. I run my business and live a normal life,” says Alimata, a trader in Dori who has been on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment since 2007. Her calm gaze reflects the challenges she has overcome.

Bamako – “I was ashamed to talk about contraceptives because it is still a taboo subject in some circles where I live. I didn't want to be judged or have people in my neighbourhood talking about me,” says Kadidia, a 19-year-old student in Bamako.

Windhoek ‒ Andra Chigova, a 10-year-old girl from Windhoek, Namibia, is encouraging other girls to get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes most cervical cancers. “I just got my HPV vaccination today. Do not be scared ‒ the HPV vaccine will protect us in the future against cervical cancer,” she says.  

Bissau – In an important step to reduce maternal mortality, Guinea-Bissau has launched its first-ever national guidelines for maternal health, focused on improving care before, during and after childbirth.  

Brazzaville – When Angèle, a young mother living on Mbamou Island, began experiencing abdominal pain a few weeks after giving birth, she thought it was just a minor discomfort. But the symptoms worsened, revealing a cholera infection. "I didn’t understand what was happening to me. The pain started mildly, then became unbearable. I had stomach aches, fever, and felt very weak. I thought it was normal after childbirth. I didn’t think it was an illness."

Mbera – Every year on 19 August, the world celebrates World Humanitarian Day to honour the women and men who, often in difficult conditions, devote their lives to helping others. This year's theme, “Strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities,” focused on recognizing the critical role of local actors in humanitarian response. 

Mberra Camp – When children in Mberra refugee camp began arriving at health posts with sore throats, low-grade fevers and swollen necks early this year, health workers feared the worst. Within days, breathing difficulties and the tell-tale thick grey coating in some throats confirmed an outbreak of diphtheria.

Mberra – In the remote southeastern corner of Mauritania, more than 60 000 Malian refugees displaced by conflict are rebuilding their lives. Until recently, a medical emergency in the Mberra refugee camp meant a race against time. 

With the nearest hospital in Bassiknou, over 60 kilometres away, and no available ambulance, pregnant women and critically-ill patients were forced to make the journey on motorcycles and donkey carts, often with tragic results.