Multilateral development banks (MDBs) are moving to centre stage in global health financing, driven by collapsing bilateral aid and political momentum from initiatives like the Accra Reset. Experts view the shift as an opportunity to deliver the predictable, large-scale investment needed to strengthen domestic health systems – provided governments and lenders can ensure transparent terms […] Continue reading ->
WHO has greenlighted Phase 2/3 trials for two brand new vaccine candidates that specifically target the Ebola Bundibugyo virus species ravaging the Democratic Republic of Congo. Actual trials could forseeably commence “within three to four weeks” – as soon as DRC regulators issue their own approval, said WHO’s Science Director Meg Doherty, at a Wednesday […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), its highest alarm level, twice within two years, in 2022 and 2024. But “preventable health emergencies are a sign of failure”, said Helen Clark, co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. “They happen when community health care […] Continue reading ->
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — The smell of burning garbage wafted into Ester Kayombo’s bedroom, jolting her awake with the fear that her house was on fire. Nearby, heaps of rubbish were burning at the Pugu Kinyamwezi dumpsite, sending plumes of smoke billowing across the neighbourhood. Kayombo, a mother of three, feared for her three-year-old […] Continue reading ->
A polio-free Africa is within reach, but only if we make it a priority. Ending the disease will not only protect our children, but it will also strengthen our health systems and safeguard us against future threats. The Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, with several cases of polio lurking in the shadows, remains an instructive […] Continue reading ->
Nigeria’s lone Ebola patient was only diagnosed almost two weeks after showing symptoms – and is reported to have travelled to the capital, Abuja, from Uganda. She entered Nigeria on October 3rd, started showing symptoms on October 7th and was admitted to hospital two days later – but was only diagnosed on Tuesday (20 October), […] Continue reading ->
BERLIN – A new $100 million initiative to halve stillbirth rates across select countries over the next decade launched at the World Health Summit on Monday (12 October). Backed equally by the Gates Foundation and Wellcome Leap, a spin-off of the UK-based Wellcome Trust, the effort will test and deploy a package of diagnostic technologies […] Continue reading ->
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPPR) by a substantial majority at a plenary meeting in New York on Monday, with 153 countries voting in favor and only three against. The declaration went to a vote after the UN High-Level Meeting on 25 September could not […] Continue reading ->
Zambia and the United States finally signed a bilateral health aid agreement on Thursday – after a 10-month delay as the US pushed for better access to the country’s minerals and changes to mining and agricultural regulations in exchange for health aid. In 2024, 84% of Zambia’s HIV programme was funded by the US President’s […] Continue reading ->
The Kenyan man who died of Ebola this week travelled extensively through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda and sought medical care from mid-September – passing through several airport health screenings without detection, even two days before he died. Dr Wessam Mankoula, head of health emergencies for Africa Centre for Disease Control and […] Continue reading ->