WHO supports Mauritius in developing a national medicine policy to ensure access to safe and quality medicines

WHO supports Mauritius in developing a national medicine policy to ensure access to safe and quality medicines
From a mother seeking antibiotics for her child at a clinic, to a cancer patient in need of lifesaving therapy, medicines are no ordinary commodities. They are lifelines. They manage pain, control chronic illness, treat infections, and save lives. Mauritius is embarking in the development of a national medicine policy with the support of WHO: “The national medicine policy will ensure the population of Mauritius has access to good quality medicines,” said the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mr Sarwansingh Purmessur at the opening of the workshop. It shows the commitment of the country in achieving Universal Health Coverage, added Mr S. Purmessur. “Mauritius relies heavily on imported medicines; A strong National Medicine Policy is the backbone of a well-functioning pharmaceutical system. It will bring transparency, accountability, and resilience in a world of increasing health threats and economic volatility. said the WHO Representative, Dr Anne Ancia. “Today’s landmark workshop marks the commitment of Mauritius in ensuring safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines for all citizens” This initiative unites various health professionals including clinicians, pharmacists, regulators, academics, wholesalers, member of pharmacy council and other health professionals to contribute to the development of a policy that will meet the specificities of the country and the local context.

Senegal Introduces Hexavalent Vaccine into its National Immunization Programme

Senegal Introduces Hexavalent Vaccine into Its National Immunization Programme

Dakar - On July 1, 2025, Senegal officially launched the introduction of the hexavalent vaccine into its Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Following in Mauritania's footsteps, Senegal is part of this regional dynamic of vaccine innovation. This vaccine is a combination that protects against six diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and poliomyelitis. It replaces the pentavalent and inactivated polio vaccines (IPV), previously administered separately.

UN leaders engage WHO Botswana to strengthen coordination and multilateral collaboration

WHO Representative Dr. Fabian Ndezako engaging with Ms. Wenyan Yang, the new UN Resident Coordinator in Botswana

Gaborone—In an expression of strengthened partnership and renewed commitment to multilateralism, the WHO Botswana Country Office recently hosted two high-level courtesy calls from newly appointed UN leaders, Ms. Wenyan Yang, the UN Resident Coordinator in Botswana, and Ms. Nthisana Motsete-Phillips, Botswana’s incoming Permanent Representative to Switzerland and the United Nations in Geneva.

WHO collaborates with media managers in the fight against mpox in Sierra Leone

media engagement

Freetown, Sierra Leone – Today, senior media executives gathered for a crucial meeting convened by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen Sierra Leone’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak. With over 4,000 cases reported, the meeting underscored the essential role of the media as active partners in halting the spread of this preventable disease.

Sierra Leone strengthens capacity on genomic surveillance and bioformatics

Freetown

Freetown, Sierra Leone - In a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing mpox outbreak response and genomic surveillance capacity, the Central Public Health Reference Laboratory (CPHRL) in Freetown hosted the mpox Genomics and Bioinformatics training workshop from 23rd – 27th June 2025. The event was organized under the theme: “Strengthening Genomic Surveillance Capacity for mpox Response in Sierra Leone,” with technical and financial support from the World Health Organization (

WHO supports health response in flood affected Mokwa, Niger State

Health services provided at a makeshift health site for the people displaced due to the flood. Photo credit

Minna, 28 June, 2025 - In response to severe flooding that displaced thousands and disrupted health services in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with state authorities and partners to address urgent health needs and restore access to essential care.
 

WHO supporting Guinea restore vaccine capacity after fire damage

WHO supporting Guinea restore vaccine capacity after fire damage

Conakry - Following a fire accident at a vaccine depot in Guinea’s capital Conakry, World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the authorities to devise urgent measures, including securing remaining vaccine stocks, to limit loss and prolonged impact of the damage. 

A crisis cell has been set up and contingency plans are being reinforced. 

Mauritius receives the Prestigious Bloomberg Philanthropies Award 2025 for Global Tobacco Control efforts

Mr. Sarwansingh Purmessur, Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mauritius, receiving the Prestigious Bloomberg Philanthropies Award 2025 from Mr. Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries
The World Health Organization (WHO) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mauritius for earning its second international award this year for outstanding leadership in tobacco control. Indeed, Mauritius has once again made global headlines—this time as the recipient of the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control, recognizing the country’s bold and pioneering tobacco control At this week’s Global Tobacco Conference in Dublin, Mr. Sarwansingh Purmessur, Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, proudly accepted the award from Mr. Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries. This is the second global recognition for Mauritius in 2025, after the WHO Director General’s Special Recognition Award – received by Hon Anil Kumar Bachoo, the Minister of Health and Wellness during the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025 in Geneva.

Stronger Health Through Smarter Taxes in Mauritius

Meeting at WHO Mauritius on 20 June 2025 with key ministries to discuss the findings and drive actions against Non- Communicable Diseases in Mauritius
WHO has joined forces with VISA NGO and the University of Cape Town to assess the impact of increasing health taxes in Mauritius. Using a simulation tool, the study examined how tax hikes affect tobacco use, government revenues, and premature deaths. 📊 A 15% annual cigarette tax increase could: Boost excise revenue by 55% Reduce smoking prevalence from 18.1% to 17.4% Prevent 11,600 premature deaths by 2029 Even more ambitious action—a 25% annual increase—could: Double excise revenues Lower smoking prevalence to 16.3% Save 19,300 lives by 2029 On 20 June 2025, WHO convened high-level officials from the Ministries of Health and Finance to discuss the findings, presented by the University of Cape Town’s Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products and a WHO taxation expert.