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WHO declares the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is scaling up operations in Burkina Faso in response to a growing humanitarian crisis, which has seen over 200,000 displaced. WHO is mobilizing experts to strengthen interventions, including preventative and responsive vaccination campaigns and strategies for provision of health services, as well as increasing supplies of medicines and medical equipment.  

Sierra Leone is on track to become a model in Africa to meet the challenge of health emergency response by preparing its health workforce to detect, prevent, control and effectively respond to public health emergencies in the country.

The village of Alima, homes scattered around a large community hall, walls open to let the gentle breezes flow through, looks serene and welcoming.

When Godfrey and his wife Jennifer fell sick with vomiting and fever, their first thought was Ebola. Their neighbours in Muhindi, a small village in Kasese District of Uganda, had the same fear. But, thanks to their community surveillance training, all of them knew what to do.

The high-level advocacy event on cancer in Africa held in Niamey, Niger on the side-lines of the African Union summit ended with an appeal to African countries to integrate simple cancer interventions such as addressing risk factors as well as screening and early diagnosis at the primary health care level for more equity. The call was made by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, while addressing delegates at the event.