Africa must prioritize self-reliance in pharmaceuticals by strengthening local medicine production that meets global quality standards, urged Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, during a keynote address at a regional training workshop on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in Addis Ababa. He stressed that Africa’s continued dependence on imported medicines poses major health security… [Read More]
WHO
500 Global and UNDP Launch Innovation Programs to Strengthen Africa’s Startup Ecosystem
On August 18, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, 500 Global, one of the world’s leading venture capital firms, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the launch of three joint founder programs to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem. The initiative, hosted in Nairobi, is designed to support startups at various stages of growth, offering tailored acceleration… [Read More]
Free Online WHO Academy Courses to Strengthen Newborn and Child Health
The WHO Academy is offering a range of free online courses designed to strengthen knowledge and skills in newborn and child health. These courses are accessible to healthcare professionals, caregivers, and others who are interested in improving maternal, newborn, and child well-being. Among the courses available are Infection Prevention and Control in Maternal and Neonatal… [Read More]
Africa Begins Historic Malaria Vaccine Rollout Despite Funding Challenges
In 2025, African countries are set to expand malaria vaccine coverage at unprecedented levels, marking a potential turning point in the fight against one of the continent’s deadliest public health threats. Uganda is leading the effort with Africa’s largest rollout, distributing 2.278 million doses of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to 105 districts, targeting 1.1 million children… [Read More]
Supporting Homeless Women: Lessons in Dignity, Trust, and Culture
Severn Angels Housing & Support provides critical assistance to women facing some of life’s most fragile moments, including fleeing domestic abuse, recovering from homelessness, or living with no recourse to public funds. With the support of the Charles Plater Trust, the organisation has strengthened its culturally competent, trauma-informed care, transforming not just services but the… [Read More]
Laos Releases 130 Million Lab-Grown Mosquitoes to Combat Dengue Surge
More than 130 million lab-grown mosquitoes carrying a naturally occurring bacteria called Wolbachia are being released in Vientiane, Laos, to help reduce the spread of deadly viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The initiative comes after global dengue cases surged to a record 14.4 million in 2024, more than double the previous… [Read More]
Experts Approve Report on Cross-Border Cocoa and Rice Value Chains in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
In a major step to boost regional trade and agricultural development, stakeholders from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana convened to review a draft assessment report on cross-border cocoa and rice value chains. The initiative, led by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and ECOWAS, seeks to… [Read More]
Minister Foley Unveils €4.2m Bia Blasta Lunch Scheme for Preschoolers in Disadvantaged Areas
The Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley TD, has announced the launch of Bia Blasta (Delicious Food), a new pre-school nutrition programme aimed at providing daily lunches for children in disadvantaged areas. With funding of around €4.2 million, the initiative will ensure that 25,000 children receive nutritious meals while attending early learning and… [Read More]
ILO and AFTECH Partner to Expand Financial Access for Dairy Farmers with Digital Innovation
Indonesia’s dairy sector is witnessing increasing opportunities for investment, fueled by rising domestic demand and government initiatives such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program. However, local production currently supplies less than a quarter of national consumption, largely from smallholder farmers, highlighting the need for greater financing to expand herds, modernize farms, and strengthen supply chains…. [Read More]
Surigao City Advances SDG Localization with UN Joint Programme Support
The Localize to Realize (L2R) joint programme, led by the United Nations Philippines in partnership with government, private sector, and communities, has concluded in Surigao City, leaving behind a strong model for aligning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the needs of vulnerable groups such as the Sama Bajau and informal settler families (ISFs). Implemented… [Read More]
Republic of Congo, AfDB Sign $602,000 Grant Deal to Rebase National Accounts
The Government of the Republic of Congo has signed a $602,000 grant agreement with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) to rebase its national accounts, a move aimed at modernising the country’s economic statistics and improving fiscal transparency. The agreement was signed on August 4 in Brazzaville by Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration… [Read More]
Kauffman Foundation Launches New Funding to Empower Creative Entrepreneurs
Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) has received a $250,000 Capacity Building grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to expand and strengthen its Artist INC and Artist Leadership Fellows programs. This two-year investment aims to bolster artist-led entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic resilience across Kansas City and M-AAA’s six-state region, which includes Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma,… [Read More]
Guinea Launches Malaria Vaccine in Routine Immunization Program to Protect Children
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Guinea has officially introduced the malaria vaccine into its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), with support from Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and PATH. This historic step aims to curb the country’s high malaria burden, which remains the leading cause of child morbidity and mortality. In… [Read More]
South Sudan Begins Second Phase of R21 Malaria Vaccine Rollout to Protect Children
Malaria remains endemic across all regions of South Sudan, posing a significant health challenge with an estimated 5.5 million cases and over 4,000 deaths annually. Limited access to treatment, insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), and vaccines has contributed to rising malaria prevalence, particularly among children aged 6–59 months, whose infection rates increased from 32% in 2017… [Read More]
Ethiopia Launches UN-Led Initiative to Prevent Child Wasting in Young Children
The Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the World Food Programme (WFP), officially launched the Joint UN Initiative for the Prevention of Wasting (JUNIPr) to accelerate national efforts against child wasting, a severe form of malnutrition affecting over 11% of Ethiopian children under five. The… [Read More]
South Sudan Unveils One Health Strategic Plan and 2nd National Health Security Action Plan (2025–2030)
In 2025, South Sudan officially launched and signed off on the One Health Strategic Plan and the 2nd National Action Plan for Health Security (2025–2030), aimed at strengthening preparedness and response to public health emergencies of international concern. These complementary plans build on evidence from the 2024 Joint External Evaluation and integrate human, animal, and… [Read More]
WHO Trains 49,000 Health Workers for Pakistan’s First HPV Vaccination Campaign Targeting 13 Million Girls
Pakistan, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), is preparing to launch its first-ever human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign from 15 to 27 September, marking a historic milestone in the fight against cervical cancer. The initiative will target 13 million girls aged 9 to 14 years in Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Pakistan-administered… [Read More]
Iraq Launches National Strategy 2025–2030 for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health
In 2025, Iraq introduced the 2025–2030 National Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, a major milestone in its health sector reform. Developed under the technical leadership of WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and UNFPA, the strategy prioritizes the needs of the population in shaping health policies and services. It is… [Read More]
UK Launches £9.5M Fund to Boost Community-Led Digital Inclusion
Millions in the UK remain excluded from the benefits of the digital world due to barriers such as a lack of skills, confidence, or access to affordable devices like laptops, tablets, or mobile phones. These limitations hinder people’s ability to find work, access healthcare and education, and secure the best value for daily essentials. To… [Read More]
€28 Million Suckler Farmers Scheme Launched by Minister Heydon
The 2025 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) has officially opened for applications, offering increased funding and a higher upper limit on eligible animals compared to last year. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, highlighted that the scheme provides farmers with the chance to complete a wider range of straightforward measures aimed at… [Read More]
UK Government Launches £9.5 Million Fund to Help More People Get Online
The UK government has launched the £9.5 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to tackle digital inequality, boost economic growth, and raise living standards as part of its Plan for Change. The funding will support initiatives that help people get online, such as running technology workshops and donating devices to those without internet access. Delivered in… [Read More]
Kyrgyzstan Equips Law Enforcement with New Data Tool to Combat Wildlife Smuggling
Kyrgyzstan has taken a major step in protecting its biodiversity by developing a new electronic database to help government agencies detect and prevent wildlife smuggling. Supported by TRAFFIC Central Asia, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Fauna & Flora, the initiative is designed to enhance law enforcement’s… [Read More]
Parkinson’s Foundation Awards $4.3M+ in Grants to Advance Research and Treatment
The Parkinson’s Foundation has announced an investment of over $4.3 million to fund 44 grants aimed at accelerating innovative research on Parkinson’s disease (PD). These grants support scientists exploring various aspects of PD with the goal of developing new therapies, improving treatments, and ultimately finding a cure for the 10 million people worldwide affected by… [Read More]
