Africa’s Nicotine Moment: What to Watch in 2026
By Joseph Magero As Africa moves into 2026, the continent is quietly becoming one of the most consequential battlegrounds for the future of tobacco harm reduction. With a fast-growing population, limited healthcare capacity, and millions of adult smokers, policy decisions taken in the next year will determine whether smoking declines rapidly or remains entrenched for
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Uganda approves groundbreaking twice-yearly HIV PrEP drug
Uganda’s National Drug Authority approved Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, on January 5, 2025. The drug was developed by US-based Gilead Sciences. Clinical trials showed it prevents HIV infection with 100 per cent effectiveness in high-risk groups. “Uganda’s National Drug Authority has just approved Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly dose of PrEP
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Ebola Outbreak in the DRC Declared Over
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been declared over after 42 days without any new cases and following the recovery of the last confirmed patient. “This success is the result of exceptional determination and exemplary coordination,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Prevention and
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New African Magazine Names Dr Rasha Kelej Among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Figures of 2025
• The President of Angola, H.E. João Lourenço, the President of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of Ghana, H.E. John Mahama, and Merck Foundation CEO Dr Rasha Kelej have been recognised among the 100 Most Influential Africans 2025 by the UK-based New African Magazine. • Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, has
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Nairobi County Introduces Menstrual Health Days for Women Employees
Nairobi City County has approved a new workplace policy granting women employees two menstrual health days per month, a move aimed at improving employee wellbeing, productivity and gender equality within the public service. The policy, endorsed by the County Executive Committee, formally recognises the impact of menstrual health challenges, particularly dysmenorrhea, on women’s ability to
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Crucial Week: Committee to Rule on Whether Mpox Remains a Public Health Emergency
By Michael Gwarisa Sixteen months after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), the Emergency Consultative Group (ECG) is set to meet this week to decide whether the outbreak should be lifted as a PHECS or maintained. This follows months of surveillance
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UNAIDS Welcomes Landmark US–Kenya Health Pact to Accelerate Fight Against AIDS
UNAIDS has welcomed the signing of a landmark five-year Health Framework for Cooperation between the United States Government and the Government of Kenya, describing it as a major boost to global efforts to end AIDS and strengthen health systems. The agreement was signed in Washington DC on 4 December 2025 by US Secretary of State
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High Demand Pushes America to Increase Lenacapavir Supply as Eswatini Gets First Shipment
By Michael Gwarisa The Kingdom of Eswatini has received its first shipment of the lifesaving HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, a few months after becoming one of the few African countries earmarked for the rollout to take delivery. The twice-a-year injectable drug will be introduced under the America First Global Health Strategy, which guides the United States’
Read MoreHigh Demand Pushes America to Increase Lenacapavir Supply as Eswatini Gets First Shipment
By Michael Gwarisa The Kingdom of Eswatini has received its first shipment of the lifesaving HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, a few months after becoming one of the few African countries earmarked for the rollout to take delivery. The twice-a-year injectable drug will be introduced under the America First Global Health Strategy, which guides the United
Read More#BREAKING: Ethiopia Declares Marburg Virus Outbreak
By Michael Gwarisa Health officials who were initially skeptical about the cause of a suspected haemorrhagic fever reported in Jinka, Southern Region of Ethiopia, have now confirmed that the disease is the Marburg virus. Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often fatal illness in humans. The average
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