Upper Nile State – The Ministry of Health, together with WHO and partners, has officially launched the Minister’s Special Initiative on Maternal and Newborn Health in Maiwut, aimed at ensuring that mothers and newborns in hard-to-reach areas have access to basic emergency obstetric and newborn care services comparable to those available elsewhere in the country.

Banjul—On 22 April 2026, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) in the Gambia convened Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and national stakeholders in Banjul to reinforce collaboration under the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP). The meeting brought together key stakeholders to reinforce a shared commitment to a more integrated national response to cancer, spanning prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, surveillance, and research.

On 22 April 2026, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) in the Gambia convened Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and national stakeholders in Banjul to reinforce collaboration under the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP). The meeting brought together key stakeholders to reinforce a shared commitment to a more integrated national response to cancer, spanning prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, surveillance, and research.

Maputo – The World Health Organisation, through its Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO), led an external mission to evaluate the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (PNCT) in Mozambique.

Bauchi, Data-driven, community-led vaccination is enabling children who have never received any vaccines (zero-dose) in Bauchi State to be reached, demonstrating how targeted action can close immunisation gaps at scale.

In Tumfafi Ward, Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Jamila Muhammad approaches a vaccination post, something she had previously avoided. Her decision reflects a wider shift across underserved communities, where integrated, primary health care–based vaccination is reaching children who have not received any routine vaccines.

Kagera

Praia, Cape Verde. The World Health Organisation (WHO), working in close coordination with the Government of Cape Verde and international partners, supported a rapid and coordinated response to an outbreak of hantavirus identified on board a cruise ship that was anchored off the port of Praia between 3 and 6 May 2026.

Background

Freetown – The World Health Organization Sierra Leone Country Office has concluded a high-level advocacy engagement on 6 May 2026 with the Parliamentary Health Committee, meeting directly with Committee Chair Honourable Wuyatta Bernadette Songa to drive progress on a range of critical health sector reforms ahead of an anticipated legislative push later in 2026.

Harare, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe has reached a significant milestone in sustaining strong disease surveillance systems following the successful Integrated Polio and Measles Accreditation Review of the National Virology Laboratory, conducted according to WHO standards. This achievement highlights the country’s leadership in supporting regional and global health priorities, particularly in polio eradication and measles and rubella elimination.