Efforts to reinforce health systems are gaining pace across Africa, with this week’s developments focused on emergency response capacity, disease treatment and maternal care.

South Africa’s dolutegravir-based HIV treatments are delivering strong results, according to a large cohort study of more than 380,000 adults living with HIV.

Published in January 2026 in the Journal of the International AIDS Society, the analysis, spanning 2005-2023, found that viral suppression reached 95.9% in 2023, exceeding the UNAIDS target of 95%.

South Africa, which runs the world’s largest antiretroviral programme, introduced dolutegravir as a first-line treatment in November 2019. Patients on the drug have nearly half the risk of virological failure compared with those on other regimens. However, 38.2% of participants experienced at least one treatment interruption, which remains the main risk factor for failure to achieve viral suppression.

Ethiopia: WHO reviews response to first Marburg outbreak

The World Health Organization carried out an operational review from March 17 to 19, 2026, in Addis Ababa to assess the response to Ethiopia’s first Marburg virus disease outbreak.

#Ethiopia has declared the end of the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak, following 42 consecutive days without new cases.

The response was characterised by early notification, strong national leadership, integrated surveillance, and effective coordination with partners. @AfricaCDC… pic.twitter.com/nFZzISmZpO

— Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) January 27, 2026

The outbreak began in October 2025 in Jinka, was declared on Nov. 14, and was brought under control on Jan. 26, 2026, after transmission was rapidly halted.

Delays in initial detection, combined with community and hospital-based transmission, exposed weaknesses in protocols and infection prevention measures. The review identified gaps in the One Health approach and called for stronger emergency preparedness. WHO commended Ethiopian authorities for their response, which helped contain the outbreak quickly.

Madagascar: Africa CDC hands over emergency operations centre

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has handed over a public health emergency operations centre to Madagascar to strengthen the country’s crisis preparedness and response capacity.

Africa CDC has officially handed over the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Madagascar, marking an important step in strengthening the country’s emergency preparedness and response capacity.

Africa CDC’s support included state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment… pic.twitter.com/YUxxMifYCL

— Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) March 21, 2026

The package includes infrastructure and equipment valued at $300,000, along with specialised training for 40 frontline health workers in emergency operations and incident management.

The handover comes as Madagascar faces multiple public health and environmental challenges, including an mpox outbreak and the impact of Cyclones Fytia and Gezani. The facility is expected to improve coordination, reduce response times and enable more effective emergency management.

Africa moves to update maternal and neonatal care protocols

Experts from 16 African countries met in Lomé from March 23 to 27, 2026, to update the Provider Guide for Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care, the continent’s main clinical reference.

The initiative follows a stark finding: to reach the global target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, Africa must accelerate its current rate of mortality reduction twelvefold.

The update incorporates scientific data published since 2018 and aims to harmonise practices across the continent.

Dr Khaled Neji, president of the African Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, said the goal is to ensure uniform emergency care standards for all African women, regardless of where they give birth. The project is supported by WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF and the West African Health Organization.

ECOWAS launches community health reform

After eight years of preparation and adoption in 2025, the Economic Community of West African States is moving to implement a new community health policy through the West African Health Organization.

The reform marks a shift in health systems away from curative care toward prevention and community-based services.

Primary health care will now reach households, structured around five pillars: national adaptation, territorial governance, human resources, sustainable financing and community information systems.

Melchior Athanase Joël C. Aissi, director general of the West African Health Organization, said community health workers will be responsible for surveillance, alerts and referrals at the household level.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Read More: 21/03/2026- Weekly Health Update | Child Mortality Declines; Malawi Rapidly Contains Mpox