News Releases

The Gambia eliminates trachoma as a public health problem

The Gambia has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the third African country to be validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having eliminated the disease as a public health threat.

Bolstering vigilance as Africa rolls out COVID-19 vaccines

More than 13.6 million – including 12 million AstraZeneca – vaccine doses have been administered in Africa, with most of the adverse events reports following vaccination involving only mild to moderate side effects. There have been no cases of blood coagulation disorders reported following vaccination. 

Nigeria and Sierra Leone join hands to implement self-care interventions

The Nigerian population, currently 202 million, is projected to reach 400 million by 2050. The national Maternal Mortality Rate is 512 deaths/100,000 (NDHS 2018). There is limited access to health services through the conventional health system and COVID-19 pandemic affected provision of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health facilities, including Family Planning.

COVID-19 cases in Africa to top 4 million, vaccine rollout underway

Africa is poised to surpass 4 million COVID-19 infections this week since the continent’s first confirmed case in February 2020. The year-long battle against the virus, which has also claimed over 106 000 lives, is now receiving a crucial boost with the arrival of vaccines through the COVAX Facility – a multi-partner vaccine procurement platform.