WHO African Region

Official X account of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa - WHO/AFRO

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

In Rwampara, more than 1,000 responders are working across multiple pillars, from surveillance and infection prevention and control (IPC) to community engagement and logistics, with one shared goal: breaking the chain of #Ebola transmission.

Their efforts are coordinated by Dr Patrick Basara Mugisa, Chief Medical Officer and Coordinator of the Zonal Incident Management System, who oversees team deployments across health areas while helping maintain continuity of routine health services.

Having contributed to the Ebola response in 2018, Dr Mugisa remains deeply affected by the human toll of the outbreak.

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

Africa is making important strides towards a healthier future. In the past year, eight countries reached major disease-elimination milestones, marking the best result in a decade.

These achievements highlight the impact of sustained commitment and collective action. Learn more in @WHOAFRO's Regional Director's Report:
https://t.co/A92VTjwDx6

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

She called. We listened.

Snowdiah’s journey as a caregiver has fuelled her commitment to raising awareness, challenging misconceptions and supporting families affected by dementia.

Alongside others with lived experience, her voice will be part of the conversation at the Dementia Regional Intercountry Workshop in Nairobi this September.

Hear what she has to say.

#BrainHealth
#MentalHealthMatters

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

Tobacco-leaf production is declining globally, but rising in Africa, according to a new analysis by @WHO.

While global tobacco-leaf production fell by nearly 19% between 2012 and 2024, production in Africa increased by almost 9%, raising concerns for health, farmer livelihoods & the environment.

https://t.co/P0CppOLpzF

[Prof. Mohamed Janabi @ProfJanabi]

Congratulations, H.E. President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, on your nomination as Champion for Routine Immunization & Polio Eradication.

This is an important milestone for Chad 🇹🇩 and the Lake Chad Basin. Together with @gatesfoundation, @gavi, @UNICEF, @UNFPA, @CDCgov and partners, we can strengthen regional cooperation and ensure every child is reached with life-saving vaccines.

#VaccinesWork
#EndPolio

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

Did you know that WHO’s traditional medicine (TM) programme began in 1976?

Today, WHO’s work responds to a growing global need for evidence & data that can ensure the safe, effective, and fair integration of TM into national health care systems.

Learn more: https://t.co/BTJFpBU64x

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

The world is growing less tobacco but Africa is growing more.

Between 2012 and 2024, global tobacco-leaf production fell by 18.8%. In Africa it rose by 8.6%.

Tobacco use is moving the same way. Worldwide, adult tobacco users fell from 1.379 billion in 2000 to 1.202 billion in 2024. In the WHO African Region, they rose from 59 million to 65 million.

WHO calls for stronger support to countries seeking to diversify from tobacco production, protect farming communities and reduce the economic burden of tobacco use and trade.

This is one figure. Read the full report: https://t.co/LmX1tjGIpF

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

Every morning, Ana Hoxha starts with the numbers: new cases, surveillance data, situation reports and information from affected health zones. Her work is to turn these multiple streams of information into a clear picture of how the outbreak is unfolding.

As a field epidemiologist, she helps response teams understand where the virus is spreading, how the outbreak is evolving and where efforts need to be strengthened.

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

Today is African Traditional Medicine Day.

Traditional Medicine, when paired with scientific validation, strong regulation, and skilled practitioners, can hold the potential to ensure quality #HealthForAll.

Strengthening the evidence base and advancing traditional medicine can play a critical role in achieving #UniversalHealthCoverage.

Read more: https://t.co/BTJFpBU64x

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

Access to quality NCD care shouldn't depend on where you live.

Across 20 Member States, #PENPLUS is delivering essential services for severe chronic diseases through 120+ health facilities, reaching over 170,000 people living with NCDs such as diabetes and sickle cell disease.

Learn more in @WHOAFRO’s Regional Director’s report: https://t.co/A92VTjwDx6

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

Healthy eating goes beyond just filling your plate 🍽️.

Here are 5 tips for a healthier diet:
1⃣ Eat a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables 🥗
2️⃣ Cut back on salt 🧂
3️⃣ Avoid trans fats 🚫
4️⃣ Limit sugar intake 🍭
5️⃣ Avoid alcohol 🍻

#ChooseHealthChooseYou

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

Did you know? A serious pregnancy complication strikes millions of women every year with no warning. It's called pre-eclampsia. Find out what it is.

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

Highlights from Disease Outbreak News on #Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo Virus Disease, Democratic Republic of the Congo #DRC - 28 August 2026:

🔴 Ebola outbreak in the country has now spread to 60 health zones
🔴 As of 26 August, there were 5794 confirmed cases and 2786 deaths (CFR 48.1%). This represents an increase of 1129 cases and 602 deaths since 14 August
🔴 Although surveillance has expanded, numbers of cases and deaths continue to rise due to sustained transmission and geographic expansion
🔴 Delays in recognizing cases increase the likelihood of onward transmission within households, communities and healthcare facilities
🔴 Health authorities in the DRC, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are continuing to implement and coordinate extensive public health measures, incl. disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care and community engagement

Full Disease Outbreak News https://t.co/pzbMADGgkl

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

Through the Big Catch-Up initiative, 10.2 million children aged 12–59 months across the African Region received their first dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine.

Every child reached is a step closer to a healthier and more resilient Africa.

Learn more in @WHOAFRO’s Regional Director’s report: https://t.co/A92VTjwDx6

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

#RC76AFRO has ended, but the work continues. Now is the time to turn the commitments made in Addis Ababa into action and lasting impact for #HealthForAll across our Region.

Watch highlights from the Seventy-Sixth Regional Committee for Africa.

[Prof. Mohamed Janabi @ProfJanabi]

As #RC76AFRO comes to a close, I leave Addis Ababa inspired by the leadership and shared purpose shown across our Region.

Thank you to the Government and people of Ethiopia for the warm hospitality and for making us feel at home, and to our Member States, partners and colleagues for the rich discussions throughout this session.

Now, we take these commitments forward. I look forward to continuing our shared journey towards #HealthForAll.

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

A week of meaningful dialogue and bold commitments for better health across Africa.

Thank you to all Member States, delegates and partners who helped make #RC76AFRO a success.

We leave Addis Ababa with renewed commitment to advancing #HealthForAll across the African Region.

See you next year at #RC77AFRO in Guinea! 🇬🇳

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

Africa does not lack health data. Too often, information remains fragmented, making it harder to see the full picture and act early.

Today, on the sidelines of #RC76AFRO, we launched the Regional Health Data Hub, a regional public good developed for and with Member States.

More than a new digital resource, the Hub will help countries anticipate challenges earlier, make informed decisions and turn data into action that saves lives.

[WHO African Region @WHOAFRO]

At #RC76AFRO, Lake Chad Basin countries reaffirmed their commitment to ending polio. Niger & Cameroon have gone more than 15 months without reporting variant poliovirus type 2.

Now is the time to build on this progress, strengthen cross-border coordination & ensure all countries follow this path towards a polio-free #Africa.
#EndPolio

[Prof. Mohamed Janabi @ProfJanabi]

Africa’s health emergencies do not stop at borders, and neither can our preparedness.

Today’s signing of the Cross-Border Cooperation MOU by 13 Member States, alongside the launch of the mpox vaccine stockpile, marks an important step from fragmented action to collective resilience..

Thanks to Member States and partners driving stronger regional health security.

#RC76AFRO