In a decisive effort to contain the spread of the cholera outbreak in Angola, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Luanda today marking the formal launch of a joint initiative to support the Government of Angola in the emergency response aimed at saving lives and halting the spread of cholera. 

Antananarivo - Madagascar has successfully halted the transmission of variant poliovirus type 1, following recommendations from a rigorous, independent Outbreak Response Assessment (OBRA) to declare the outbreak closed. This achievement marks a major milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts towards polio eradication.

Pretoria, South Africa – 20 May 2025 – On the occasion of the 53rd National Day of the Republic of Cameroon, Dr Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa (2015-2024) was awarded the title of Officer of the National Order of Valour, one of the highest distinctions bestowed by the Government of Cameroon.

Geneva/Luanda, 20 May 2025 — Angola has pledged US$ 8 million to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Investment Round, joining a growing number of countries that are backing a new model for financing global health. The announcement was made today by H.E. President João Lourenço during his address to the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) in Geneva, where he spoke both as President of Angola and as Chair of the African Union.

On 28 April 2025, WHO Country Representative, Dr. Fabian Ndenzako, paid a courtesy visit to the University of Botswana School of Nursing, a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) for Nursing and Midwifery Development since 1990. He was accompanied by Dr. Juliet Bataringaya, Health Systems Advisor, and Ms. Boingotlo Ramontshonyana, Focal Point for District Health System Strengthening.

Freetown, 17 May 2025 – Sierra Leone concluded its 2025 National Health Summit and Performance Awards, a three-day event convened under the theme “Improving Health Outcomes for All: Every Sierra Leonean Life Matters.” Hosted by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health development partners, the summit brought together leaders from across government, civil society, the health sector, and development agencies to discuss transformative strategies for health system strengthening.

Benguela, Angola – As part of ongoing efforts to support Angola’s fight against the cholera outbreak and to reinforce regional health systems, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Angola, Dr Indrajit Hazarika, conducted a field mission to the provinces of Kwanza Sul and Benguela this week. The visit served to strengthen collaboration with local authorities, highlight WHO’s decentralized support across the country, and follow the high-level visit of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed.

In Uganda, a country that shoulders the third-highest burden of malaria cases globally, time has become both the enemy and the solution. Every hour a patient goes untreated, the risk of complications and death grows exponentially. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Health, with technical support from World Health Organization (WHO), launched the “24.2 hours initiative” on 25 April 2025. This is a transformative malaria strategy designed to save lives by racing against the clock.