Dodoma—Tanzania has taken a major step toward strengthening its capacity to respond to public health emergencies and disasters through the successful completion of a three-day Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Awareness Orientation Session. The high-level engagement brought together senior government officials, leaders, technical experts, and partners to advance the establishment of nationally coordinated EMTs in line with World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

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.

Dodoma—Oral health remains a global concern, affecting approximately 3.7 billion people. Tanzania, like many African countries, had long faced persistent challenges in this area. While the prevalence of certain conditions, such as dental caries, was comparatively lower than in neighboring countries, periodontal disease remains widespread, impacting an estimated 57.4% of children and 62.8% of adults. These high rates are often linked to limited access to dental care.

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.

Jwaneng—Health leaders and polio experts from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa convened in Jwaneng for the 25th Inter‑Country Certification Committee (ICCC) meeting, reinforcing regional solidarity and shared responsibility to sustain a polio‑free Africa.

Over the course of three days, participants reviewed progress, assessed remaining risks and agreed on priority actions to strengthen cross‑border collaboration, routine immunization and disease surveillance, against the backdrop of a shifting global polio landscape.

Dr Lasuba’s courtesy call on Hon. Moses F. Moyo, Second Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia

Zambia continues to demonstrate strong political will and national ownership in advancing health and well-being. Increased investment in health financing, disease prevention, and system strengthening reflects the understanding that health is the foundation of development. WHO, now over seven decades old, shares this vision, working to save lives and promote well-being for all.

Victoria—The African Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Pooled Procurement Initiative has been awarded the 2025 SIDS Partnership Award in the economic category.