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WHO: The World Health Organization, in its capacity as advisor to the government on health matters, coordinator of the health cluster and lead technical and financial partner for health in Niger, is supporting the Ministry of Public Health, Population and Social Affairs in its mission to assess the implementation of the 2022-2026 Health and Social Development Plan from March 25 to 30, 2024.
The aim of this mission is to take stock of progress made, challenges encountered in the Diffa and Zinder regions, and prospects for improvement.
WHO: African countries are making progress in diagnosing and treating tuberculosis, according to the World Health Organization. Some 70% of cases are now diagnosed and treated in the region, according to the latest WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2023. Cape Verde, Eswatini and South Africa have achieved at least a 50% reduction in tuberculosis cases.
Mali: six cases of meningitis have been confirmed in the Gao region and the capital Bamako, according to a press release from the Direction Générale de la Santé et de l’Hygiène Publique. In detail, these cases were detected in the health districts of Gao, Ansongo and Bamako commune 5.
Dr Yacouba Koné, in charge of epidemiological surveillance, assures us that the situation is under control and that measures have been taken to reinforce epidemiological surveillance at all levels.
Benin: Patient safety in health establishments: A system to ensure safe and effective patient care
The ARS has opted for the patient safety system, which comprises a set of policy provisions and practical measures. The Minister of Health, Professor Benjamin HOUNKPATIN, officially launched the system for patient safety in Benin’s health establishments on Thursday March 28, 2024 in Cotonou.
South Africa: Health Minister announces $94 million in funding for TB control over the next five years.
“Just over R4 billion has been budgeted for the 2024/2025 financial year, meeting projected needs for the implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP). 71% of the TB budget comes from national sources, 21% from the Global Fund and 8% from US government commitments,” said Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla.
Union des Comores: Cholera epidemic continues with 69 new cases recorded from March 25 to 27, 2024. With a case-fatality rate of 2.9%, the country is facing a veritable health crisis. Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated. The disease affects people with inadequate access to drinking water and basic sanitation.
Tunisia: Call for entries for the “Prize for the best female scientific research” for the year 2024.
Morocco: The Completion Report of the Project “Promotion of Women’s and Girls’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Gender Equality in Morocco”, implemented within the framework of the cooperation of the United Nations Population Fund office in Morocco, with the financial support of World Affairs Canada, for a duration of 5 years between 2018 and 2023 and with an envelope of €4million is now available.
https://morocco.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/rapport_dachevement_dssr-amc_vf.pdf
Coming up:
April 7, 2024: World Health Day 2024: Our health, our rights
April 17-18: Geneva:
Fourth meeting of the Standing Commission on Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies:
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Zambia : The vital role of community health assistants in public health surveillance
Lusaka — African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region. At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate. Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths. Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden. To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential. To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access. “PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”. Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services. “This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone. The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego. PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.
Confirmed Case of Mpox in Senegal: Situation Update (as of August 27, 2025)