Ten Africa countries sign agreement to strengthens cross-border cooperation for health emergencies

Ministers of Health from 10 African countries have signed a Cross-Border Collaboration Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen coordination, information-sharing and joint preparedness and response to public health emergencies across borders. The agreement provides a framework for countries to work together before, during and after emergencies, strengthen early detection and response, clarify roles and responsibilities, and support coordinated action along high-risk border areas.

Addis Ababa—Ministers of Health from 10 African countries have signed a Cross-Border Collaboration Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen coordination, information-sharing and joint preparedness and response to public health emergencies across borders. The agreement provides a framework for countries to work together before, during and after emergencies, strengthen early detection and response, clarify roles and responsibilities, and support coordinated action along high-risk border areas.

Ready when the call comes: Uganda cuts emergency response from weeks to hours

Ready when the call comes: Uganda cuts emergency response from weeks to hours

Kampala - Dr Allan Mugarura had just completed a grueling night shift in the maternity unit at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital when his phone rang late in the evening of 15 May 2026. Uganda had declared an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus.

As a trained member of Uganda’s national Emergency Medical Team (EMT), Dr Mugarura was asked one question: Was he ready to deploy?

He agreed without hesitation, packed his bags and set off through the night for Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala.

Nigeria advances early childhood development through primary health care

A child being measured at a heart care facility

Abuja – Every month at the Primary Health Care Centre in Ugbor, Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, in southern Nigeria, mothers gather with their babies for routine immunization and growth monitoring services. Among them is Mrs Shegu Ritawaits who arrived one morning with her eight-month-old child expecting a routine clinic visit.

New equipment strengthens the capacity of Guinea-Bissau’s National Ophthalmology Service

pose for a group photograph outside the Ophthalmology Service at Simão Mendes National Hospital in Bissau.

Bissau—The initiative expands the resources available for eye examinations, diagnosis and treatment at Simão Mendes National Hospital.

The World Health Organization (WHO) handed over materials and equipment to the National Ophthalmology Service, based at Simão Mendes National Hospital in Bissau.

The equipment, valued at a total of US$151,863, was procured under the National Health System Strengthening Project, funded by the African Development Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health.

Ethiopia Hosts RC76 as Leaders Call for Accelerated Action for Health Across Africa

Ethiopia Hosts RC76 as Leaders Call for Accelerated Action for Health Across Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25 August 2026 - The 76th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) officially opened in Addis Ababa, bringing together Ministers of Health, senior government officials, WHO leadership, and development partners from across the African Region to advance the continent's health agenda. The session serves as WHO Africa's highest governing body, where Member States review progress, adopt policies, and set regional health priorities. 

WHO donates mobile laboratory to strengthen Uganda’s outbreak preparedness

The WHO Representative to Uganda, Dr Kasonde Mwinga handing over the keys of the mobile laboratory to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine.

Kampala – TheWorld Health Organization (WHO), with funding support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), has handed over a Truck-Mounted Mobile Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory valued at over half a million US Dollars to the Government of Uganda, marking a significant investment in the country’s capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks of Ebola and other highly infectious diseases.