African Leaders Pledge US$910 Million to Contain Ebola as Africa CDC Warns Time Is Running Out
By Michael Gwarisa African leaders, donors and international partners have pledged US$910 million towards containing the growing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with health officials warning that delays in releasing funds could sharply escalate both infections and costs. The commitments were announced following a High-Level Emergency Meeting convened
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WHO, Africa CDC launch US$518 million continental Ebola preparedness plan
Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have launched a US$517.7 million joint continental preparedness and response plan aimed at containing the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak and preventing its spread across Africa. The six-month plan, covering June to November 2026, seeks to strengthen surveillance,
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Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda – where are the vaccines?
Published First on https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/ LSHTM Vaccine Centre Co-Director Dr Muhammed Afolabi discusses the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, the challenges of developing a vaccine against it and how to prepare for future outbreaks. On 17 May 2026 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
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US Suspends Entry of Travelers From Uganda, DRC Over Ebola Outbreak Fears
Michael Gwarisa The United States has imposed emergency travel restrictions on travelers from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Sudan following a growing outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, drawing concern from African health authorities who warned against punitive measures that could undermine outbreak response efforts. In an order issued
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Biggest Global Vaccine Catch-Up Delivers Over 100 Million Childhood Doses, but Millions Still Miss Routine Immunisation
Health Correspondent A global vaccination recovery drive launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has delivered more than 100 million vaccine doses to an estimated 18.3 million children across 36 countries, helping close dangerous immunity gaps caused by years of disrupted immunisation services. The initiative, known as The Big Catch-Up (BCU), was launched during
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Argentina withdraws from World Health Organization
Michael Gwarisa Argentina has announced its official withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) citing irreparable differences. Through his official X account, Argentina’s presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni said they had significant disagreements with WHO regarding management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the same reason given by US President Donald Trump for exiting the global health body.
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Single-Dose Pill Brings Sleeping Sickness Closer to Elimination in Africa
Michael Gwarisa A breakthrough in the fight against sleeping sickness could transform care for thousands of patients in Africa. The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has given a positive opinion to Acoziborole Winthrop, a single-dose, three-tablet treatment for the most common form of the disease, gambiense sleeping sickness. Developed
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First Batch of Sugar Tax-Funded Cancer Machines Arrives in Zimbabwe
Kuda Pembere The first batch of cancer treatment equipment acquired under the Sugar Tax programme is now in Zimbabwe, with two machines earmarked for Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals, a top Government official said on Friday. These are low energycancer machines which are currently housed at the National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe (NatPharm) warehouse, pending completion
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Advanced Blood Screening Technology Commissioned at NBSZ
Kuda Pembere The Government of Zimbabwe has commissioned a Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) machine at the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ), a development expected to significantly reduce turnaround times and enhance the safety of blood transfusions. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglass Mombeshora described the installation as not only
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WHO Member States Advance Key Annex to Pandemic Agreement
Michael Gwarisa After a week of intensive discussions on the draft annex for Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS), countries around the world have outlined a clear roadmap to implement the pandemic agreement effectively. The PABS framework is an essential part of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. It is designed to ensure fair and timely access
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