Zimbabwe Among 14 African Nations Facing Alarming Rise in Drug-Resistant Infections
By Staff Reporter Results from a newly published study highlight the growing spread of drug resistance across 14 African countries, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen laboratory testing, data systems, and health planning to tackle hard-to-treat infections. The study, known as the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership (MAAP), is the largest of its kind
Read MoreChildren in Sudan face growing danger as cholera spreads amid funding cuts, World Vision warns
By Staff Reporter As Sudan battles a deadly and rapidly spreading cholera outbreak, millions of children are at grave risk. More than 700 people have died, including children, and 32,000 suspected cases have been recorded since January 2025. The outbreak now affects 17 of the country’s 18 states, compounding the suffering of families already devastated
Read MoreGlobal Polio Eradication Efforts Face New Challenge with Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus
By Michael Gwarisa Even though the world has made remarkable progress in the fight against polio, with wild poliovirus now circulating in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, a new challenge has emerged: vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV), which is causing outbreaks in previously polio-free regions. The development underscores the urgent need for robust immunization programmes and
Read MoreCivil War Worsens Cholera Crisis in Sudan, Warns Africa CDC
By Michael Gwarisa Efforts to curb cholera outbreaks across Africa are facing severe challenges, with Sudan’s ongoing civil war exacerbating an already dire situation. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the continent remains the epicenter of the global cholera burden, with Sudan standing out due to the devastating impact
Read MoreEgyptian Students Launch Africa’s First “Health Diplomacy” Program for Future Doctors
By Staff Reporter Cairo has become the stage for a groundbreaking initiative with the launch of the “Health Diplomacy for Medical Students” program, the first of its kind in Egypt and across the African continent. Spearheaded by the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations – Egypt (IFMSA-Egypt) and its branch at MTI University, the program
Read MoreAfrica CDC Launches Continental Strategy to Combat Zoonotic Diseases
By Michael Gwarisa Africa is stepping up its fight against zoonotic diseases with a bold new continental strategy that aims to transform how countries prevent, detect, and respond to health threats shared between humans, animals, and the environment. The Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Control Strategy 2025–2029, launched by the African Union (AU) and the Africa
Read MoreMalawi Launches Second Edition of Pathogen Genomic Surveillance Strategy and Implementation Plan
By Staff Reporter The Malawi Ministry of Health, launched its updated plan for the implementation of its Genomic Surveillance Strategy that was produced with technical support from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention – Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI) on 3 July. As pathogen genomics provides a powerful approach towards the investigation,
Read MoreStudy Validates Impact of International Teams in Africa’s Outbreak Response
By Staff Reporter A new study conducted by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in collaboration with the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) has confirmed the critical role international health teams have played in strengthening outbreak response across the African continent. The study also underscores the need for more
Read MoreCombustible Cigarettes Don’t Belong to the 21st Century – Gontkovičová
By Michael Gwarisa recently in Cape Town As the world intensifies efforts to reduce tobacco-related disease and death, the call to phase out combustible cigarettes is growing louder, and now, one of the most senior voices in the tobacco industry has declared that these products no longer belong in the modern age. Speaking at the
Read MoreZimbabwe Hosts High-Level Regional Meeting to Advance National Public Health Institutes Across Southern Africa
By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has opened its doors to public health leaders from across Southern Africa this week, hosting the fourth edition of the Regional National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) Indaba. The three-day meeting, which began on June 25 in Harare, convenes African Union (AU) Member States, global health partners, and technical institutions to evaluate
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