By: Olívio Gambo, WHO Angola Communication Officer

In a world increasingly affected by outbreaks, epidemics, extreme weather events, and other public health challenges, the question is no longer whether new crises will arise, but rather how well prepared we will be to tackle them. Preparedness for crises does not depend solely on hospitals, medicines, or the availability of healthcare professionals; it also depends on something less visible, yet equally crucial: the trust of communities.

Angola has concluded the first Meeting on the Prioritization and Optimization of the Vaccine Portfolio. This strategic exercise brought together national experts, health officials, and technical partners to define priorities and strengthen evidence-based decision-making within the framework of the National Immunization Strategy for 2026 to 2030.

19 July 2026 – LUSAKA, Zambia. The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, UNICEF and other partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), has launched the final round of the Sub-National Immunization Activities (SIA) polio campaign targeting about 3.9 million children under the age of five. 

Dakar, 17 July 2026 – Nine African countries have developed costed national roadmaps to strengthen health professions education and ensure that future health workers acquire the competencies needed to respond to evolving health priorities.

The roadmaps were developed during a five-day workshop convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in Dakar, Senegal.

Asmara—Eritrea’s National Health Laboratory is strengthening its genomic sequencing capacity to improve disease surveillance and generate critical scientific data for public health. This technology enables scientists to analyse viruses, bacteria and parasites in depth, helping them better understand how pathogens evolve, detect antimicrobial and drug resistance, and guide public health interventions more effectively. 

Following the detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in environmental surveillance samples in Blantyre, and its subsequent confirmation among children in the community, Malawi rapidly activated a comprehensive outbreak response. The Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and partners, launched a nationwide response with one clear objective: protect every child and stop the virus before it spreads.

Keren, Eritrea—Every morning, 28-year-old Amatazgi Gumbot opens her small health consultation point in the village of Shasharama in Keren, the capital of Anseba Region in northern Eritrea, before heading out to meet residents in neighbouring villages. Amatazgi is one of Eritrea’s barefoot doctors, bringing health services closer to people living in some of the country’s most remote areas.