Africa Vaccination Week 2025: Message from Ms Shenaaz El-Halabi, WHO South Africa Representative

Dr. Simangele Mthethwa, Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance Officer at WHO South Africa, inspecting or preparing a vaccine cold box—a vital part of maintaining the cold chain required for storing and transporting vaccines at the correct temperature.

Pretoria – On the occasion of Africa Vaccination Week 2025, we join the continent and the global community in reaffirming our shared commitment to the power and promise of immunisation. This year’s theme, “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible,” and the slogan “Vaccinated Communities, Healthy Communities” remind us that universal immunisation is not only a moral imperative, but a practical goal within reach.

World Health Day: Botswana renews commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths

Stakeholders convened to hear WHD message

As countries around the world observed World Health Day on April 7, 2025, Botswana used the moment to reflect on its maternal health journey and renew its commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths. The national commemoration, jointly hosted by WHO Botswana and the Ministry of Health, brought together government officials, health experts, development partners, and citizens under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.

Ensuring a safe and healthy start for mothers and children in remote villages

Ensuring a safe and healthy start for mothers and children in remote villages

Borno, On a recent Tuesday, Fatima Alhaji Mohammed and three other health workers arrived in Garmiri Village, Magumeri Local Government Area, Borno State.

They were part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) mobile, hard-to-reach health team dedicated to delivering essential healthcare services to underserved communities.

As the team were setting up, a man interrupted them,  pleading for help for his wife, who had been in labour for over a day. 

Mali: Greater protection for children against malaria

Vaccination au Mali
Bamako, April 2025 – Fatoumata, aged 2 years and 4 months and wearing one of her most beautiful dresses, attended an event of great importance for her health on Friday morning, as her mother Niemba explains: “I was on my way to the community health centre for my child’s routine vaccination; from there, I was directed to the site of the ceremony where a new vaccine protecting children against malaria was being launched.”

In African Vaccination Week: Angola pushes ahead with new Immunization Strategy

vacinação

In an ongoing effort to strengthen public health, Angola is drawing up the new National Immunization Strategy (ENV), designed to consolidate the progress already made and tackle the persistent challenges in the field of immunization. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Health, has the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), GAVI, the Global Alliance for Vaccines, and other strategic partners.

Access to health services expands in Borno State as WHO donates new state-of-the-art centre

Picture of the newly expanded BIU General Hospital, Borno State

Borno, 30 April, 2025 - The Borno State Government has commended the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union for donating an ultra-modern health facility to support the delivery of health care services in the state. 

As part of its commitment to strengthening the health system in post-conflict areas,  WHO, in collaboration with the Borno State Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR), completed Phase 2 of the Biu General Hospital expansion.

WHO Representative discussed national health priorities with His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Mauritius

WHO Representative discussed national health priorities with His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Mauritius
It was a real honor and pleasure for the WHO Representative to meet the new President of the Republic of Mauritius. The WHO Representative, Dr A. Ancia and His Excellency Mr D. Gokhool covered the three main areas of WHO’s work: to promote, provide and protect health and well-being for everyone, everywhere. Our common understanding of Health as a socio-economic construct said enabled us to discuss the imperative to engage all sectors in addressing the risk factors of, and controlling the most prevalent diseases in Mauritius including: 1. Promoting healthy diet and physical activity, while reducing the high consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs and “junk food” in a multidisciplinary manner and ensuring that we particularly empower the Mauritian youth to embark on healthier behaviors for disease prevention; 2. Providing opportunities for systematic screening and early diagnostic to ensure early and more effective treatment, for the chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, to ensure better health outcomes and avoid overwhelming of the health facilities and health professionals; and 3. Enhancing and institutionalizing the whole country capacities to prepare, early detect and warn, and to respond effectively and swiftly to public health emergencies in the same way as when dealing with torrential rain and cyclones. “We feel this first encounter with His Excellency Mr D. Gokhool is the starting point of a strong partnership with the Office of the President in our mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable”,said Dr A. Ancia.

Ghana Charts Bold New Path for Health Workforce Transformation

Group picture

With a health workforce density that has more than doubled in the past two decades — rising from 16.56 to 41.92 per 10,000 people — Ghana continues to make important strides toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). But in spite of these strides, serious challenges persist. Many qualified professionals remain unemployed due to fiscal constraints. Others, including experienced specialists, are leaving for opportunities abroad. At the same time, underserved areas continue to experience critical shortages.

Measles and rubella vaccination campaign protects children in Lunda Norte

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Maria da Graça, who lives in the municipality of Chitato, remembers with sadness one of the most difficult moments in her life. In 2024, her eldest daughter, then four years old, fell ill with measles. "It started with a fever, then the spots appeared. She became very weak. I was afraid I was going to lose her," says Maria, her eyes watering. Although her daughter survived, the disease left deep scars and a fear that never left her.