Health Products Manufacturing Policy Study Tour Gives Africa a Strategic Boost
Africa CDC’s Platform for Harmonized Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM), in collaboration with the Team Europe Support Structure (TESS) MAV+, organised a Study Tour on Policy Frameworks for Health Products Manufacturing to Europe in April. From analysing the policy mechanisms, regulatory environments, and frameworks that sustain and enhance the health products manufacturing ecosystem, participants gained a […]
Sierra Leone Fights Mpox
Sierra Leone is the latest addition to the Incident Management Support Team (IMST) list of the most mpox-hit nations. Skyrocketing cases are triggering concern across Africa. Sierra Leone recorded its first case on January 10, 2025. Immediately after, Minister of Health Dr Austin Demby declared a Public Health Emergency, saying at the time the move […]
Africa Turns to Mpox Lessons to Fight Cholera
The rapid spread of cholera across the continent has sparked discussions on joint efforts to combat the disease, which has impacted 16 countries, with four facing severe outbreaks. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised the possibility of tackling cholera in the same way as the mpox outbreak, which is […]
In Uganda, Ebola Comes to an End, but Vigilance Continues
On April 26, 2025, Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, announced the end of Uganda’s eighth Ebola outbreak. The declaration came 42 days since the last case was discharged, and no new Ebola cases had been reported. Yet, beneath the celebration, one thing was clear, the work was far from done. Africa […]
Cholera Plan to Map Hotspots in Five African Countries
Cholera hotspots are set to be identified in five African countries this year to guide the development of a roadmap for prevention, control, and elimination of this infectious disease that remains aggressive and prolonged in multiple countries in Africa. According to UNICEF, over 178,000 cases of cholera have been confirmed in 16 countries in Eastern […]
New Advisory Group on Surveillance to Boost Africa’s Health Security
Improvements in the forecasting, monitoring, identification, and reporting of diseases are expected to take hold following the establishment of the Continental Surveillance Advisory Group (CSAG), aimed at bolstering Africa’s disease surveillance capabilities. This was among the key outcomes of a meeting hosted from 23 to 25 April 2025 by the Africa Centres for Disease Control […]
Africa’s Growing Pool of Lab Assessors
Africa’s need for more laboratory quality systems experts to improve the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of laboratory results, which are crucial for accurate diagnosis, disease surveillance, and evidence-based healthcare decision-making, is getting attention. The latest expansion of the continent’s pool of qualified laboratory assessors, essential for ISO 15189:2022 accreditation, a set of international rules that […]
Health Ministers Chart a Novel Path in Health Leadership Transformation
Wearing different political hats, meeting as a group, plotting Africa’s health future and setting targets while ensuring that they are met is a potent formula that could change Africa’s health fortunes. Coming from diverse backgrounds, but facing similar health problems in their backyards, Africa’s health ministers share a related view. They need to build a […]
Zimbabwe Revamps Labs Plan with Africa CDC support
Zimbabwe looks forward to revamping its health infrastructure, technological tools, and skills development following a new five-year plan for national laboratories. In a major step towards strengthening laboratory systems across the continent, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), with funding from the World Bank, supported Zimbabwe in the successful revision of […]
Human Resources for Health in Africa
Human Resources for Health (HRH) is a critical pillar for strengthening health systems and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Africa. A well-functioning health workforce is essential for delivering quality healthcare services, responding effectively to health emergencies, and improving population health outcomes. However, the African health workforce faces numerous challenges, most notably critical shortages, uneven […]