WHO Pushes Expansion of PEN-Plus to 30 African Countries Ahead of Tanzania Conference
By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to expand its PEN-Plus programme to 30 African countries beginning this year as governments, health experts and development partners gather momentum to tackle the continent’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The planned expansion comes ahead of the 3rd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA
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Africa Launchs First Bilingual Open-Access Journal to Strengthen Health Policy and Financing
Michael Gwarisa Africa’s research and policy community is marking a major milestone with the launch of the African Journal of Health Economics, Systems and Policy (AJHESP), a continent-led, bilingual, fully open-access journal designed to strengthen evidence-based decision-making in health. The journal, which officially launches on May 4, 2026, brings together 11 leading researchers from across
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World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 Opens in Nairobi with Strong Call for Action on Resilient Health Systems
Michael Gwarisa NAIROBI, Kenya — The World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 officially opened in Nairobi on Sunday, bringing together more than 2,000 global health leaders, policymakers, researchers, and development partners to push for stronger and more resilient health systems across Africa and beyond. The high-level gathering is being held under the theme, Reimagining Africa’s
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EU Pledges US$750 Million to Fight HIV, TB and Malaria, Boosts AMR Response
Michael Gwarisa Amid declining donor support for health programmes in Africa and globally, the European Union has committed US$750 million (€700 million) to the Global Fund’s 8th replenishment to strengthen the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. The announcement was made by Jozef SÃkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships, at the One Health Summit in Lyon,
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Africa CDC Appoints Four Senior Advisors to Advance Health Strategy
Michael Gwarisa The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has appointed four senior advisors, a move aimed at strengthening the organisation’s capacity to respond to public health threats across the continent. The four include Ambassador Troy Fitrell (USA) as Senior Advisor on International Cooperation, Ambassador Pierre Delsaux (Belgium) as Senior Advisor on Strategic Partnership,
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HIV Response Faces Uncertainty as Zimbabwe Halts US Health Negotiations, Experts Warn
Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s HIV response could face serious disruption following the Government’s decision to halt negotiations on a proposed US$350 million health funding agreement with the United States, public health experts have warned. The proposed agreement was being negotiated between the Government of Zimbabwe and the US Embassy in Harare, acting on behalf of Washington
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World Cancer Day: CWGH urges ring-fencing of Sugar Tax funds
Kuda Pembere The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has used World Cancer Day to raise fresh concerns over the management of Zimbabwe’s Sugar Tax, calling for urgent ring-fencing to protect funding for cancer treatment. Zimbabwe introduced the Sugar Tax to help finance cancer treatment. Last month, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora
Read MoreFunding Cuts Push Zimbabwe to Consider Reusable Circumcision Kits
By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is exploring the use of reusable circumcision kits to sustain voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services amid declining international funding and the gradual withdrawal of donor support. VMMC has been a key HIV prevention tool in Zimbabwe, credited with significantly reducing new HIV infections since the program’s launch in 2009. At
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Funding Cuts Push Zimbabwe to Consider Reusable Circumcision Kits
By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is exploring the use of reusable circumcision kits to sustain voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services amid declining international funding and the gradual withdrawal of donor support. VMMC has been a key HIV prevention tool in Zimbabwe, credited with significantly reducing new HIV infections since the program’s launch in 2009. At its peak
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US Unveils $65 Million Bridge Plan to Sustain Zimbabwe’s HIV Respons
By Michael Gwarisa The United States Department of State, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has unveiled a new HIV and AIDS support fund worth US$65.1 million for Zimbabwe. The initiative, known as The Bridge Plan, will run for the next six months, with renewal contingent on the Government of Zimbabwe meeting
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