From WHO-led efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness to measles vaccination drives in Uganda, alongside the fight against mpox in the DRC, malaria in Angola, and HIV in Mozambique, African countries are ramping up their responses to a wide range of health challenges. At the same time, health sovereignty, access to medical innovation, food security, and the treatment of neglected conditions such as sickle cell disease and snakebites are rising to the top of the continent’s priorities.

The World Health Organization last month held “Polaris II,” a two-day simulation designed to test global readiness for pandemics and major health emergencies.

The April 22–23 exercise was based on a fictional scenario involving the global spread of a new bacterium.

Preparedness saves lives.

This week, we supported @_GHSofficial to conduct the Polaris II Simulation Exercise.

The exercise brought together key stakeholders to test and strengthen Ghana’s readiness to detect and respond to public health emergencies. pic.twitter.com/xgalCOIeVf

— WHO Ghana (@WHOGhana) April 25, 2026

The drill involved 26 countries and territories, 600 public health experts and more than 25 partner organizations. National authorities activated emergency systems, accelerated staff deployment and strengthened cross-border coordination.

The WHO said it also tested artificial intelligence tools for workforce planning and response coordination.

Partners included the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières and several international epidemic alert networks. The exercise is part of the HorizonX programme, which aims to sustain investment in health preparedness.

Ghana Rejects U.S. Health Agreement Over Data Concerns

Ghana has rejected a proposed U.S. health agreement, joining Zambia and Zimbabwe among a small number of African countries that have declined the new cooperation frameworks.

According to Reuters, Accra raised concerns about data protection and how sensitive health information would be handled.

Negotiations began in November 2025 and focused on a five-year, $109 million programme. They collapsed as positions hardened and demands for access to national data increased, a source familiar with the matter said.

Earlier this year, Zambia suspended a programme worth more than $1 billion aimed at tackling HIV, malaria, maternal health and epidemic preparedness. Zimbabwe also withdrew from talks on a $350 million programme, citing sovereignty concerns.

Despite these refusals, several African countries have signed the new U.S. agreements. By the end of March, about 17 countries — including Nigeria, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Rwanda — had joined.

The developments underscore the growing importance of data governance in health partnerships.

Africa CDC Forms Ministerial Committee to Boost Health Sovereignty

Africa CDC is setting up a high-level ministerial committee to drive reforms in the global health system.

The body is intended to give African countries greater influence in international decision-making, particularly on vaccine access and emergency financing.

The longer-term goal is to reduce the continent’s reliance on externally led solutions, an issue that has gained urgency since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move signals a coordinated health diplomacy effort taking shape, aimed at securing more balanced engagement with multilateral institutions and fairer access to global public health resources.

Sickle Cell Disease Places a Heavy Burden on Young Patients in Africa

A recent study highlights the heavy burden of sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among younger patients.

According to the international SWAY survey, which surveyed 2,145 patients across multiple regions, African patients experience more severe pain episodes despite being younger on average.

The study found that 30% of patients in sub-Saharan Africa reported more than five painful crises in the past year, compared with 27% in high-income countries. The median age was 15 in Africa, versus 29 in wealthier countries.

Access to treatment remains limited. Opioids are used by 26% of patients in sub-Saharan Africa, compared with 73% in high-income countries. Many patients continue to manage pain at home.

The region accounts for about 80% of global cases. Policymakers increasingly view sickle cell disease not only as a health issue but also as a constraint on human capital. Expanding access to specialised care is critical to improving outcomes.

Central African Republic: WHO Pushes to Revive Family Planning

The WHO has facilitated talks between health authorities and technical partners in the Central African Republic to revive family planning services.

In a country affected by ongoing security challenges, access to reproductive health care remains a key driver of socioeconomic development.

Discussions focused on integrating contraception into primary care and strengthening community engagement to address sociocultural barriers.

Authorities now face the challenge of delivering on commitments, including reducing maternal mortality and improving child health. Expanding access to family planning is critical to harnessing the demographic dividend and supporting household stability.

DRC: Mpox Response Cuts Deaths in Equateur Province

Equateur province in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded a sharp drop in mpox-related deaths following an emergency response funded by the African Development Bank and implemented by the WHO.

Between January and July 2025, the province was among the hardest hit, with 1,262 confirmed cases and 374 deaths.

The response combined rapid diagnosis, vaccination, prevention measures and community outreach.

Three laboratories were equipped and 4,800 GeneXpert cartridges deployed to speed up case confirmation. A network of 370 community health workers reached more than one million people through awareness campaigns.

A total of 13,406 people were vaccinated, including 3,718 frontline workers. Confirmed cases fell by 60%, while deaths dropped to 14 in 2025, compared with 417 over the same period a year earlier, according to health authorities.

The response also supported cholera control through the distribution of hygiene kits.

DRC Lifts Mpox State of Emergency but Maintains Surveillance

The Democratic Republic of Congo has lifted the public health state of emergency declared during the mpox outbreak after more than three years of response.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said the virus remains present in some areas.

The outbreak began in December 2022. Since then, 125,000 suspected cases have been investigated, with 34,000 confirmed infections and around 2,200 deaths, according to authorities.

The DRC, the epicentre of the outbreak in Africa, saw the virus spread to other countries. In August 2024, the WHO classified the situation as a public health emergency of international concern.

The response relied on targeted vaccination, external funding and strengthened surveillance systems.

Authorities say the acute phase has ended, but monitoring remains in place to prevent new outbreaks.

Mozambique Introduces Long-Acting HIV Prevention Treatment

Mozambique has launched lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable drug for HIV prevention, as part of efforts to curb the epidemic.

“In the past eight months, WHO has supported nine countries to roll out lenacapavir to people at risk of HIV: Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.”

- @DrTedros, WHO Director General

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 5, 2026

The launch took place at the Ndlavela health centre in Matola under the Ministry of Health.

According to WHO Mozambique, the drug will initially be provided free of charge to at least 34,000 high-risk individuals in Zambezia, Maputo city and Maputo province.

Authorities also introduced new national guidelines for the combined prevention of HIV, sexually transmitted infections and viral hepatitis, aimed at integrating services.

Mozambique has an HIV prevalence rate of 12.5% among adults aged 15 to 49 and records about 92,000 new infections each year. In Maputo province, around 281,000 people are living with the virus.

Supported by the WHO and the Global Fund, the programme aims to increase uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis, particularly among young people.

Sudan Receives $87 Million to Address Food Crisis

The African Development Fund has approved an $87 million grant to support food security in Sudan, where conflict and climate shocks have pushed the country toward famine.

The funding will support emergency agricultural production and strengthen supply chains.

The programme aims to provide certified seeds and fertilisers to smallholder farmers to help secure basic food production.

Angola Struggles to Contain Malaria Burden

Malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death in Angola, particularly among children under five and pregnant women, according to the WHO.

The disease also affects school attendance, employment and household incomes.

Across Africa, nearly 600,000 malaria-related deaths were recorded in 2024, most of them among children.

Angolan authorities are focusing on primary care and community-based interventions to reduce transmission.

New tools are available, including next-generation bed nets, rapid diagnostic tests, improved treatments and vaccines, which have already been introduced in 25 African countries.

However, challenges persist, including resistance to insecticides and medicines, climate-related risks and humanitarian crises such as flooding in Benguela.

The WHO estimates that every dollar invested in malaria control can generate up to $36 in economic returns.

Kenya Calls for Global Action on Snakebite Crisis

Kenya has called for snakebite to be recognised as a global health priority, highlighting its impact in rural areas across Africa.

Snakebites cause thousands of deaths and permanent disabilities each year, yet access to affordable antivenoms remains limited and health workers are often inadequately trained.

Up to 32,000 snake bite deaths & 6,000 amputations are reported every year in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of these deaths and serious consequences of snake bites are preventable by making safe and effective antivenoms more available and accessible.#NTDs #beatNTDs #EndTheNeglect pic.twitter.com/EWVbm6vu5l

— Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) (@MeTAKenya2018) January 14, 2022

Kenya is urging stronger international cooperation to secure production and lower the cost of antivenoms.

The initiative aims to raise the profile of the issue and increase funding.

By integrating snakebite treatment into universal health coverage, authorities hope to reduce the economic impact on rural households.

Uganda Faces Measles Outbreak Across 20 Districts

Uganda is dealing with a measles outbreak affecting 20 districts, the Ministry of Health said.

Twelve deaths have been recorded since the start of the year, mainly in Kagadi, Kikuube, Adjumani, Bulambuli and Karenga.

Authorities attribute the outbreak to gaps in vaccination coverage. The national measles vaccination rate rose from 79% in 2016 to 90% in 2024 but remains below the 95% threshold needed to stop transmission.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that poses a serious risk to unvaccinated children under five.

The government plans a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign in October targeting all children under five, regardless of vaccination status.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi