Following the confirmation of 13 cases of #Ebola disease by the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, WHO is rapidly scaling up support to national and provincial authorities in Ituri Province in the DRC.
Additional WHO experts in epidemiology, infection prevention and control, laboratory diagnostics, clinical care, logistics, risk communication and community engagement are being mobilized to reinforce the frontline response.
WHO is airlifting 5 metric tonnes of supplies, including infection prevention and control, materials, laboratory sample transportation equipment, case management, tents and other supplies currently available in Kinshasa to Bunia to support frontline health workers and treatment facilities.
The #DRC has extensive experience responding to Ebola outbreaks, and we are working with national authorities and partners to support affected communities, safeguard health and save lives.
Great honour to welcome a high-level delegation from the @theelders_org to the WHO Regional Emergency Warehouse in Nairobi, Kenya.
The delegation brought together prominent global leaders in governance, human rights and global health:
Ernesto Zedillo - Former President of Mexico
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - Former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate
Elbegdorj Tsakhia - Former Prime Minister and President of Mongolia
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein - Former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Denis Mukwege - Global campaigner on conflict-related sexual violence, gynaecologist and Nobel Peace Laureate
The delegation toured WHO’s emergency logistics and rapid response operations supporting countries across the African Region, alongside conversations on WHO’s leadership in outbreak preparedness, emergency response, capacity building and building more resilient health systems.
At a time of growing humanitarian and public health challenges, their visit is a strong affirmation of global solidarity and the need for sustained investment in emergency systems that protect vulnerable communities across Africa. No country can be fully protected unless all countries have the capacity to prepare for, detect and respond to health emergencies.
We need voices like The Elders to help carry WHO’s vision into the world, because the only way for all of us to be safe is to strengthen health systems everywhere.
Took a tour of Dr Kalebi Labs in Nairobi, Kenya’s first private highly specialized national and international referral laboratory.
This ultramodern homegrown laboratory features Africa’s first-of-its-kind total lab automation system, alongside advanced technologies supporting faster, high-quality diagnostics and stronger health systems.
This is the future of diagnostics, built right here in Kenya.
How we train Africa’s health professionals today will determine whether our health systems can withstand tomorrow’s shocks.
At the 'Transforming Health Professions Education in Africa' session during the 2nd Africa Health Workforce Investment Forum in Accra, I stressed that the future is not about numbers alone, but relevance, quality, readiness and harmonized standards. Africa needs a health workforce that is competent, adaptable, digitally enabled and fit for purpose.
WHO is supporting this transformation through prototype curricula, strengthened quality standards, and efforts to advance qualification recognition and workforce mobility across the continent.
#PlanTrainRetain
Today in Accra, I was honoured to join H.E. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice-President of Ghana, ministers and partners in launching the State of the Health Workforce in Africa 2026 report and the Africa Health Workforce Agenda 2026–2035.
Africa’s health workforce has grown from 1.6 million in 2013 to more than 5.7 million in 2024. But with a shortage of nearly 6 million health workers projected by 2030, progress alone is not enough. We must move from commitments to implementation. Plan better. Train differently. Retain longer.
Health workers are a strategic national asset. Investing in them strengthens health security, economic growth and social stability. WHO remains committed to supporting Member States in turning commitments into measurable results for the people of Africa.
Good discussions today with the Aga Khan leadership team, Sulaiman Shahabuddin, Amin M. Mawji and Tania Bubela, key conveners of #WHSNairobi2026.
I congratulated them on the success of the summit. We value this partnership and continued collaboration to strengthen health systems and expand access to quality care across Africa.
On the margins of #WHSNairobi2026, I met with Axel R. Pries, Carsten Schicker and Laura Wefers of the @worldhealthsummit .
I thanked them for their partnership and their commitment to elevating African voices in global health discourse.
The success of this summit has shown what is possible. We must sustain this momentum towards Berlin.
Great exchange with Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, today in Kigali.
Rwanda is making strong progress on universal health coverage, primary health care, local manufacturing and health emergency preparedness. With 97.3% health insurance coverage, the country is demonstrating what is possible with committed leadership and people centred reforms.
Our discussion focused on scaling these gains and advancing local manufacturing and health system strengthening.
I assured him of WHO’s continued support as Rwanda goes further on #HealthForAll.
I will be speaking at #whsnairobi2026.
Stronger health systems require deliberate action and sustained collaboration.
Looking forward to productive discussions with health leaders and partners to advance practical solutions that improve health outcomes across the continent.
On #WorldHealthDay we reaffirm that health is a fundamental right — for every person, in every community.
@who_africa is committed to stronger PHC, the One Health approach, better preparedness, local manufacturing, and operational excellence.
Together, we advance #HealthForAll across Africa.
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À l'occasion de la « Journée mondiale de la santé », nous réaffirmons que la santé est un droit fondamental — pour chaque personne, dans chaque communauté.
L'OMS-AFRO s'engage en faveur d'un renforcement des soins de santé primaires, de l'approche « One Health », d'une meilleure préparation aux situations d'urgence, de la production locale et de l'excellence opérationnelle.
Ensemble, nous faisons progresser la #SantéPourTous à travers l'Afrique.
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Por ocasião do «Dia Mundial da Saúde», reafirmamos que a saúde é um direito fundamental — para todas as pessoas, em todas as comunidades.
A OMS-AFRO está empenhada no reforço dos cuidados de saúde primários, na abordagem «One Health», numa melhor preparação para situações de emergência, na produção local e na excelência operacional.
Juntos, promovemos a #SaúdeParaTodos em toda a África.
This #WorldHealthDay, Africa joins the global call to #StandWithScience.
From Ebola vaccines to genomic surveillance, science is saving lives and shaping global solutions.
Expanded immunization, advances in HIV treatment and progress in maternal and child health have turned some of our biggest challenges into stories of hope.
Now we must invest more, strengthen systems, and ensure equitable access so everyone benefits.
Commendable step by Tanzania 🇹🇿 in bringing lifesaving care closer to communities with today’s inauguration of the Kwimba Maternal and Newborn Care Unit in Mwanza Region.
Honoured to represent @drtedros at the launch of this facility, which demonstrates commitment to strengthening maternal and newborn care.
Grateful to the government, the Doris Mollel Foundation, @keepachildalive and all partners for this vital collaboration.
WHO stands with Tanzania to ensure every mother and every newborn has the opportunity to survive and thrive.
