Category: AFRICA

United States Permits Distribution of H.I.V. Medications to Resume For Now

Healthtimes

The Trump administration on Tuesday issued a waiver for lifesaving medicines and medical services, offering a reprieve for a worldwide H.I.V. treatment program that was halted last week. The waiver, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seemed to allow for the distribution of H.I.V. medications, but whether the waiver extended to preventive drugs or other services offered by the program, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, was not immediately clear. Still, PEPFAR’s future remains in jeopardy, with potential consequences for more than 20 million people — including 500,000…

Read More

Amref CEO Warns US Withdrawal from WHO Could Leave Africa Exposed to Health Crises

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amref Health Africa Group CEO, Dr. Githinji Gitahi, has raised concerns over the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to halt funding for the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Gitahi warns that the move could severely impact global health initiatives, leaving Africa particularly exposed. President Trump justified the U.S. withdrawal by criticizing WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. As part of the decision, the U.S. plans to cease all financial contributions and formally exit WHO within 12 months. The United States has…

Read More

Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak: Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response

Healthtimes

Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths. In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is…

Read More

Zimbabwe Records 90 Days Without Mpox

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is among the few African countries that have not recorded any new Mpox cases in the past three months, a top official at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said. In October 2024, Zimbabwe reported its first cases of Mpox, two months after the Africa CDC declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental concern. However, recent data indicates that Zimbabwe has not recorded any confirmed cases during the past 90 days. Eight countries are now in the control phase, four…

Read More

Alcon Celebrates One Year of Advancing Eye Care Through its Phaco Development Program in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today commemorated the first anniversary of its African Phaco Development Program (PD). This milestone reflects the program’s significant achievements across South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia, with plans for further regional expansion. Alcon remains committed to the principle of “Skill Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” as it continues to enhance healthcare capacity and improve access to eye care across the continent. According to the World Health Organization1, over 110 million people in Africa suffer from…

Read More

WHO Deploys Experts To Investigate Fatal Mysterious Flu In DRC

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) is deploying experts to support health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo carry out further investigations to determine the cause of a yet undiagnosed disease that has been reported in Panzi, a locality in Kwango province in the southwest of the country. Laboratory tests are being conducted to determine the cause. The WHO experts are joining the National Rapid Response Team and are on their way to Panzi. The team comprises epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory technicians and infection prevention and control,…

Read More

More African Female Surgeons Graduate under COSECSA

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa At the 2024 graduation ceremony of the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA), held in Harare, Zimbabwe, 33% of the graduates were female. This milestone highlights the institution’s ongoing efforts to improve gender inclusivity in surgical training. During the 2023-2024 academic year, COSECSA experienced a 22.7% increase in trainee enrollment, with female enrollment rising by 4%, from 23% to 27%. Remarkably, during the exams held in Harare ahead of the COSECSA conference, women accounted for 33% of candidates. A total of 152 students…

Read More

#Breaking: Newly Elected WHO Afro Regional Director Dies

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  The Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly, Dr. Tulia Ackson, has confirmed the passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, a member of Parliament in Tanzania and newly elected World Health Organization African Region Director. Dr Ndunguile was Member of Parliament for Kigamboni and had been undergoing medical treatment in India. He died on the night of November 27, 2024. Reacting to the deaths through his X account, WHO Director, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the  Director-General of the World Health Organization said,  “Shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the…

Read More

Breakthrough Study Finds African Children with Severe Malaria Showing Partial Resistance to Leading Malaria Drug

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter A new study from Uganda provides the first evidence to date that resistance to a lifesaving malaria drug may be emerging in the group of patients that accounts for most of the world’s malaria deaths: young African children suffering from serious infections. The study, presented today at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), documented partial resistance to the malaria drug artemisinin in 11 of 100 children, ages 6 months to…

Read More

SADC’s AIDS-Free Goal Could Be Attained In 2060 Amid Regional Gaps in Progress

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere Ending AIDS by 2030 in the SADC region seems unlikely and may be delayed until 2060, given that some countries like South Africa and Madagascar are significantly behind This was highlighted by Ms. Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, during a SADC Ministers of Health meeting held last week in Harare. So what does this mean for SADC, and how do we accelerate progress to end AIDS?” Githuku-Shongwe asked. “Recently, we were at a meeting in South Africa, and…

Read More