From eastern Chad, where measles and meningitis are spreading through overcrowded refugee camps, to the progress and fragility of vaccination campaigns across the continent, issues of prevention, financing and health system resilience remain central in Africa. Between advances in vaccines, risks linked to treatment resistance and the need for stronger regional coordination, health authorities face overlapping challenges that are testing the response capacity of African countries.

Routine vaccination programs against HPV and malaria in Africa are becoming more effective. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of diseases targeted has increased from eight in 2000 to 13 today. These vaccines are helping reduce hospitalizations and severe cases, particularly in Burkina Faso.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, says the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has prevented nearly one million deaths from cervical cancer across 29 African countries. Since 2019, the number of countries offering the vaccine has risen from 12 to 35. Coverage reached 47% in 2024, up from 5% in 2014.

We’re delighted to welcome The International Finance Facility for Immunisation’s announcement of a US$ 1 billion 5-year bond to further mobilise vital resources to support our global immunisation efforts. pic.twitter.com/EWS8GH4VSF

— Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (@gavi) April 23, 2026

The strategy focuses on integrating vaccines into national health systems. Countries now have more control over vaccine financing. Economic benefits are estimated at $1.8 billion.

Funding remains a key challenge. A gap of nearly 30% is limiting the scale-up of programs and threatening continuity. Without additional funding, up to 600,000 lives could be lost by 2030. Partners are calling for sustainable financing and stronger domestic resource mobilization. The goal is to vaccinate 50 million children against malaria by 2030.

10 Million Children Vaccinated Against Polio in Central and Southern Africa

A coordinated campaign across Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo vaccinated more than 10 million children against polio in March 2026. The campaign aims to curb cross-border spread. Genetic analysis has confirmed the circulation of related strains across the three countries.

Since 2025, 39 cases have been reported in Angola. In the DRC, distinct variants suggest ongoing silent transmission. Campaigns are targeting high-risk areas through door-to-door strategies, with coverage exceeding 90% in Namibia.

Population movement and cross-border travel remain key drivers of the virus’s spread. Health authorities stress the need for regional coordination and stronger surveillance to contain the virus over the long term.

Antimalarial Drug Resistance Threatens Hard-Won Gains

At the same time, resistance to artemisinin-based malaria treatments is spreading across Africa, according to Health Policy Watch. Cases have been confirmed in Rwanda, Uganda, Eritrea and Tanzania.

Artemisinin remains the first-line treatment for malaria and has saved millions of lives. However, parasites are developing partial resistance, reducing treatment effectiveness.

Some specialists warn this could progress to full treatment failure, potentially leading to a sharp rise in deaths.

In 2024, 610,000 malaria-related deaths were recorded, 95% of them in Africa. Modeling suggests a delayed response could lead to up to 500 million additional cases and economic losses exceeding $1 billion over 15 years.

Proposed responses include diversifying treatments, developing new drugs and strengthening prevention strategies.

Chad: Measles and Meningitis Spread in Refugee Camps

In eastern Chad, Médecins Sans Frontières has raised the alarm over simultaneous outbreaks of measles and meningitis in Adré, a border town with Sudan.

Since January 2026, more than 1,500 patients have been admitted, amid growing humanitarian pressure linked to a surge in refugee arrivals. More than 1.3 million people have fled Sudan’s conflict into Chad, including nearly 926,000 in the east.

Meningitis cases rose sharply from 18 in January to 212 between March and April. Among children treated, 25 deaths have been recorded, a case fatality rate of about 12%. Measles is also spreading, with more than 370 cases reported in March.

Health facilities are under severe strain, with bed occupancy near 100%, limiting care for other conditions. In overcrowded camps, shortages of water and healthcare, combined with malnutrition, are accelerating the spread of disease, particularly among children.

Emergency vaccination campaigns have nonetheless reached hundreds of thousands. In Adré, 95,500 children were vaccinated against measles and 337,800 people against meningitis. However, the continued arrival of refugees is complicating containment efforts.

Experts warn the outbreaks could spread regionally, including into South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Morocco: Casablanca to Host African Healthtech Summit

Casablanca will host the first edition of GITEX Future Health Africa from May 4 to 6, 2026. The event will bring together public officials, companies and health sector experts. The program includes an executive summit, followed by exhibitions and conferences, with discussions focusing on digital health systems and artificial intelligence.

Participants include institutional representatives and companies such as AstraZeneca.

The aim is to create a platform for dialogue on health innovation in Africa. As governments place growing emphasis on health sovereignty, healthtech is increasingly seen as a way to expand access to care and improve health system performance across the continent.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi