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This opinion piece was first published in Jornal de Angola, a copy of which c

Zimbabwe has taken a bold and historic step toward strengthening its health system with the creation of the National Public Health Institute (NPHI), aligned with global best practice and the African Union (AU) New Public Health Order. This science-driven, semi-autonomous institution is designed to enhance the country’s public health capacity and resilience. What began as an ambitious vision has now become a concrete reality, reflecting strong national leadership, regional collaboration, and global support.

During an engagement with media houses on responsible reporting of suicide and suicide attempts, the Ministry of Health and Social Services reported that 1474 Namibians had lost their lives by suicide over the past three years.

The media dialogue was a response to what appeared to be a suicide contagion following media reports of suicide by influential figures. Exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviour within one's family, one's peer group, or through media reports of suicide can increase suicide and suicidal behaviour.

Abuja, Nigeria’s efforts to interrupt circulating variant type 2 poliovirus (cVPV2) by 2026 gained renewed momentum as the World Health Organization (WHO) Polio Eradication Programme (PEP) held its annual strategic retreat. The two day meeting brought together WHO zonal and state coordinators to review progress, identify operational gaps, and refine strategies to better support government-led eradication efforts in the year ahead.

Brazzaville/Arusha—Today World Health Organization (WHO)’s Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in advancing health outcomes and resilient health systems across the East, Central and Southern African region.

The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) officially launched the National Strategy for Combating Substandard and Falsified (SF) Medical Products (2026–2030) at a high-level event attended by senior government officials and key stakeholders. H.E. Ms. Heran Gerba, EFDA Director General, delivered welcoming remarks, followed by an opening address from H.E. Dr. Mekdes Daba, Minister of Health. The event also featured H.E. Ms.

In Angola, schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) remain significant public health challenges, affecting children's nutritional status, learning ability, and school performance, particularly in endemic regions.

Angola strengthened the institutional capacity of the national response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through a joint technical mission organized by the Ministry of Health, with specialized support from the World Health Organization (WHO), involving experts from Headquarters, the Regional Office for Africa, and the WHO Office in Angola.