In this week’s health roundup, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear a disproportionate share of global child deaths even as some countries make progress. Senegal is improving HIV control and Madagascar has reduced maternal mortality, while Togo is tightening oversight of illegal dental practices. At the same time, climate change is increasing health risks through flooding and cholera outbreaks. Local responses are emerging, from Malawi’s containment of mpox to Uganda’s expansion of community healthcare, but funding cuts are putting progress against malaria at risk.

Child mortality: Sub-Saharan Africa still accounts for 58% of global deaths

The global decline in deaths among children under five is continuing, but progress has slowed sharply, according to the World Health Organization. In 2024, 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns, based on a United Nations report published on March 18.

Since 2000, child deaths have fallen by more than half, but the pace of improvement has slowed by over 60% since 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 58% of under-five deaths, driven largely by infectious diseases. Malaria alone causes 17% of deaths among young children.

Severe acute malnutrition remains a major contributing factor and is directly linked to more than 100,000 deaths.

Experts say cost-effective interventions such as vaccination and improved newborn care deliver strong returns, with up to $20 in benefits for every dollar invested.

Senegal: steady progress toward HIV control, with remaining gaps

Senegal is maintaining progress in its fight against HIV, with key indicators improving. In 2024, 37,638 people living with HIV were monitored across 157 sites and receive free treatment, according to the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene. AIDS-related deaths are declining, with 788 recorded cases, corresponding to a case fatality rate of about 2%.

New infections fell from 3,485 in 2005 to 2,979 in 2024. Among children, the drop was sharper, declining from 20.1% in 2023 to 8.4% in 2024. In contrast, infections increased among adolescents and people over 50.

Overall indicators remain strong. In 2024, 85% of patients knew their status, 93% were receiving treatment and 92% had suppressed viral loads. The main challenge remains early diagnosis, with nearly 30% of cases detected at an advanced stage.

Madagascar: maternal mortality declines after years of stagnation

Maternal mortality in Madagascar has fallen significantly, according to the 2025 MICS survey, dropping from 426 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018 to 298 in 2025 after nearly two decades of stagnation.

Health officials attribute the improvement to stronger prenatal care, which allows earlier detection of complications, and an increase in facility-based births, reducing risks for mothers and newborns. Expanded access to family planning has also helped reduce high-risk pregnancies.

The survey, based on 19,785 households between December 2024 and May 2025, confirms the trend. However, Madagascar remains well above the global target of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births, pointing to persistent gaps in access to care and health infrastructure.

Togo: authorities tighten oversight of illegal dental practices

Authorities in Togo are stepping up efforts to curb illegal dental practices, which they consider a growing public health risk.

At a conference held earlier this month at the University of Lomé, the National Order of Dental Surgeons said the profession is tightly regulated under Law No. 2004-018. Practitioners must hold a recognized doctorate and be registered with the Order or face criminal prosecution.

According to the Order’s president, Dr. Daniel Lawson, unlicensed practices, often promoted through social media, put patients at risk of serious complications. The sector also faces strong geographic imbalances, with most practitioners concentrated in the south, particularly in Lomé.

Climate and health systems: increasing pressure

Climate change is placing growing strain on health systems across Africa, according to Health Policy Watch. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts and flooding are altering patterns of disease.

These conditions are driving the spread of vector-borne diseases into new areas, while water scarcity and flooding are fueling recurring outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases.

Health systems built for more stable conditions are struggling to cope. Infrastructure damage and supply chain disruptions are increasing costs and slowing response times.

Experts are calling for climate adaptation to be integrated into health policy, supported by early warning systems, interoperable data systems and more resilient infrastructure.

Cholera: a persistent and expanding threat

Cholera is spreading rapidly across Africa. In 2026, 14 countries reported 23,776 cases, with more than 84% concentrated in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The continent accounts for 59% of global cases and 99% of deaths, with a case fatality rate above 2%.

Climate-related disasters are worsening the situation. In Madagascar, two cyclones killed 600 people and displaced 180,000. In Mozambique, flooding killed 270 people and displaced more than 370,000.

Access to safe water remains a key issue. In Angola, 54% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water. Without sustained investment in water, sanitation and prevention, outbreaks are likely to recur.

Kenya floods: emergency response under strain

Seasonal rains in Kenya have caused flooding across several counties, displacing communities and disrupting health services. The World Health Organization has provided emergency kits worth 10 million Kenyan shillings, or about $75,000.

The kits include essential medicines, diagnostic tools and cholera treatment supplies, and are expected to support around 5,000 people in the hardest-hit areas. Authorities have strengthened surveillance and deployed rapid response teams.

Health risks remain high. Flooding is limiting access to safe water and healthcare, increasing the spread of malaria and cholera. Expanding prevention measures, including bed net use and access to treated water, remains critical.

Malawi: rapid containment of mpox outbreak

Malawi contained an mpox outbreak within months, according to the World Health Organization. After the first cases were detected in April 2025, the disease spread to 12 districts. Before vaccination began, 147 confirmed cases and one death had been recorded.

The response focused on a targeted campaign launched in October 2025. A total of 33,605 doses were administered with full coverage and no wastage. Mobile teams reached high-risk areas, and results followed quickly: infections dropped by nearly 90%, and by December only three active cases remained, with 1,412 contacts under monitoring.

The response highlights the effectiveness of combining real-time data, community engagement and coordinated action.

Uganda: expanding community healthcare

Uganda is strengthening primary healthcare through the deployment of 348 community health workers in March 2026, bringing the total to 5,616. The government aims to reach 21,432 workers by 2029.

Each worker receives six months of training at a cost of $2,100 to $2,200. They currently operate across 40 districts, with plans to expand to 30 additional areas by August 2026.

Early results show higher vaccination rates, increased antenatal visits and more facility-based deliveries in covered areas. The programme is also improving early detection of malnutrition and aims to reduce inequalities in access to care while strengthening system resilience.

Malaria: funding cuts threaten progress

Progress against malaria in Africa has stalled since 2015, with only five countries on track to meet 2025 targets. The continent accounts for 96% of global malaria cases, totaling 270.8 million in 2024, and 97% of deaths, at 594,119.

The main risk ahead is declining funding. A further 30% reduction could lead to 146 million additional cases and nearly 400,000 more deaths by 2030, with an estimated economic cost of $37 billion in lost GDP.

Despite this, some progress has been made. In 2025, 74% of distributed bed nets were next-generation models, and more than 28 million vaccine doses were administered, compared with roughly one-third of that number in 2024.

Specialists are calling for stronger domestic financing and increased local production, as Africa still imports most of its vaccines and medicines.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi