The Gambia Adopts First National Dementia Plan, Marking a Milestone for Africa

Jarra Marega, National Mental Health Programme Manager at the Ministry of Health, The Gambia, addressing participants during the validation and adoption of the country’s first National Dementia Plan 2027–2031.

Banjul, 29 September 2026 – The Gambia has validated and adopted its first National Dementia Plan 2027-2031, the first of its kind in the WHO African Region, marking a significant step towards strengthening prevention, early diagnosis, care and support for people living with dementia and their families. The milestone also offers an important example for other countries in the WHO African Region seeking to make dementia a public health priority.

WHO supports Kenya’s Ebola response as third case is found early in quarantine

WHO supports Kenya’s Ebola response as third case is found early in quarantine

Nairobi - The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the Ministry of Health’s response after Kenya confirmed its second and third cases of Bundibugyo Ebola, on 14 and 16 October. The two patients, a 39-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman, are both close family members of Kenya’s first case and were already in quarantine when they fell ill. Kenya has now confirmed three cases, including one death.

Seeing the Mother, Not Just the Pregnancy

Group picture

“There was no point where I was screened for any mental health condition”.

For Emelia Agblevor, a person with lived experience of bipolar disorder and postpartum depression, the absence of mental health screening during her pregnancy is a reminder of a gap that affects many women in pregnancy.

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2013, Emelia understood the importance of mental health support. Yet throughout her antenatal and postnatal care, her mental wellbeing was never assessed.

WHO supports Kenya’s Ebola response with essential medical supplies

© David Wachira Wahu

Nairobi - To support the Ministry of Health’s response to Kenya’s first confirmed imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) has this week handed over essential medical supplies worth around US$70 000 to help protect frontline health workers and speed up the testing of suspected cases.

Building hope before crisis

In a classroom somewhere in Ghana, a teenager sits quietly at the back of the room. His grades are slipping. He no longer joins his friends during breaks and spends more time alone at home. To some, these changes may seem like a phase. To a trained teacher or health worker, they could be signs that a young person is struggling and needs support.