African governments must take greater ownership of their health systems and turn conference pledges into concrete action on financing and primary healthcare, the World Health Organisation’s regional director for Africa has said. Professor Mohamed Janabi told delegates that governments should lead health-sector development while partners align behind national priorities. He was speaking in Arusha at the International Conference on Primary…
Tag: Africa
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AI Alternatives To Animal Testing Gain Momentum
Millions of animals are used worldwide to test medicines, chemicals and cosmetics. Mice, rats, rabbits, dogs and primates may experience pain or distress during these experiments. Animal testing has traditionally been defended as necessary to protect human health. However, advances in artificial intelligence are challenging that argument. Machine-learning systems can now predict drug toxicity, organ damage and chemical hazards. In…
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Roche Integration Accelerated: A New Era for Testing
Roche Diagnostics Africa launched Roche Integration Accelerated, a continent-wide initiative to expand access to testing for TB, HIV, HPV, and Hepatitis B and C. The programme leverages existing laboratory infrastructure. Unveiled on World TB Day, the initiative positions integration as a practical response to tightening budgets across African health systems. The core idea is simple. Many countries already have established…
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Global Malaria Crisis Deepens Amid US Cuts, Rising Resistance
The global malaria crisis is facing a severe and potentially irreversible setback, according to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) latest report. Progress in fighting the disease has stagnated since 2015, and by 2024, key indicators show a dramatic regression that experts are calling catastrophic. Global Malaria Crisis Escalates With Alarming Statistics In 2024, malaria infected 282 million people and killed…
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Digital Primary Healthcare in Africa: Building Resilience
The recent decision by major donor countries to reduce global health funding has sent shockwaves through sub-Saharan Africa. The consequences of stop-work orders issued in January 2025 have already impacted HIV programmes and other critical health responses. However, this crisis presents a vital opportunity for African nations to take greater ownership of their health systems. It can be done by…
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Global Fund Financing Crisis and African Health Risks
The era of expansive multilateral health financing appears to be waning, as evidenced by the sombre outcome of last week’s high-stakes financing event for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Despite rhetoric about international solidarity, the Global Fund financing crisis was laid bare when the organisation raised only $11.34bn, falling woefully short of its $18bn target. Held…
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African Paediatric Healthcare Crisis Exposed by Study
Africa is currently undergoing a seismic demographic shift. Home to the world’s youngest population, the continent will house nearly 800 million children by 2060. At the same time, this youth bulge represents a potential economic dividend. However, a landmark new study has delivered a sobering reality check. It regards the health systems tasked with keeping this generation alive. Published this…
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Cholera Vaccine Trial Aims for Self-Reliance in Africa
South Africa has taken a pivotal step towards pharmaceutical independence with the launch of a new South African cholera vaccine trial. The state-backed manufacturer, Biovac, in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), has initiated clinical trials for a candidate oral cholera vaccine. Many hail this development as a crucial move to reduce Africa’s dependence on imported medicines.…
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Biovac R&D Lab to Drive Vaccine Manufacturing in Africa
State-backed vaccine manufacturer Biovac has officially launched a new product development laboratory at its Cape Town facility. This move strengthens its capacity to produce vaccines entirely on African soil, from start to finish. The new Biovac R&D lab in Pinelands, Cape Town, will enable scientists to conduct cutting-edge research and development (R&D) on the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for novel…
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Malaria Progress Stalls as Resurgence Looms
The global fight against malaria has stalled after two decades of significant progress. Campaigners warned yesterday that a “perfect storm” of climate change, population growth, and funding gaps threatens a deadly resurgence. A new report by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (Alma) and Malaria No More UK states that insufficient funding for increasingly costly prevention programmes is putting decades of…
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African Philanthropists Must Drive Change in Public Health
The head of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has issued a powerful call to action for African philanthropists. He urges them to direct their resources towards health initiatives. These efforts could save millions of lives and transform the continent’s future. Speaking from the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin, Executive Director Peter Sands made…
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World Mental Health Day Highlights Urgent Needs
As the world marks Mental Health Awareness Month this October, Africa stands at a critical juncture. With its population set to reach 2.5 billion in the coming decades, the continent faces a deepening mental health crisis. This crisis is chronically underfunded, under-researched, and dangerously overlooked. On this World Mental Health Day, 10th October, it is crucial to examine the scale…