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Nairobi—According to the World Health Organization, Africa produces less than 1% of the vaccines it consumes, yet it carries a disproportionate share of the world's infectious disease burden. Efforts to shift this reality are now under way in Kenya.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 18 February 2026 – The Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a series of High‑Level Multisectoral Dialogues focused on aligning national priorities, investments, and policies for health workforce development. This work is supported by funding from the United Kingdom Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Nairobi—Kenya has made notable progress in health workforce production, including a doubling of nurses, doctors, and other health professionals over the past decade. However, findings from the Health Labour Market Analysis also identify persisting and emerging gaps in the availability of health workers. The analysis projects that to meet the population's health needs, more than 114,000 additional health professionals across 31 different roles will need to be trained, employed, and retained within the health system by 2031.  

Bissau— The Acting Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Guinea-Bissau, Dr Walter Kazadi, met on 19 February 2026 with the Minister of Public Health of the Transitional Government, Commodore Dr Quinhin Nantote, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Public Health in Bissau.

The meeting, the first since the recent appointment of the new Minister, provided an opportunity to reaffirm the shared commitment to strengthening the national health system and improving the health conditions of the population.

Osun:  For years, families in a small nomadic settlement in Abaa Modakeke, deep within Egbedore LGA of Osun State, lived far beyond the reach of basic health services. There was no nearby clinic. Health interventions sparingly reach them. And long walks to the closest village often ended with no care.

Enugu; In Enugu State, families, health workers, and young volunteers are working together to protect children from measles, rubella, human papilloma virus (HPV), and other vaccine preventable diseases. The state aims to reach more than 2.1 million children across all 17 LGAs during the Measles–Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign in Phase 2 Stream 2 States, scheduled for 4–15 February 2026.

Kampala- Uganda, Africa’s largest refugee-hosting nation, is racing to keep its health system responsive as needs rise and resources shrink. With more than 1.92 million refugees living across settlements in the north, southwest, and in Kampala, the country continues to pursue an ambitious goal: delivering equitable, culturally sensitive healthcare to both refugees and host communities under the banner of Universal Health Coverage.

Praia—Under the theme “Vaccinating is protecting—together we build a healthier future for Cabo Verde”, the Ministry of Health launched the introduction of three new vaccines on 22 January 2026. The vaccines—against Rotavirus, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV-13 and the hexavalent vaccine—were introduced into the national immunization schedule on 2 February 2026. This marks another historic step in ensuring that no child is left behind.  

Maseru—For many Basotho living with epilepsy, daily life is shaped not only by seizures but also by the silence and stigma that often surround the condition. Children are kept out of school, adults are denied opportunities and families carry a quiet burden of fear and misunderstanding. 

As Lesotho joined the global community in commemorating World Epilepsy Day, this reality was brought into sharp focus, alongside a renewed call for action to ensure dignity, inclusion and hope for all.