Health Care Programmes

Health Care Programmes: Essential updates on public health initiatives, medical breakthroughs, and wellness trends tailored for the West African public.

South Africa’s COVID Social Listening System Tracked 964 Misinformation Claims, Study Finds

By Kabir IsaOctober 5, 2026

A study of South Africa's COVID-19 social listening system found 964 instances of misinformation across 12 themes and 573 recommended actions in 91 reports produced between 2021 and 2023. The research, led by Herkulaas MvE Combrink, examined a circular process of listening, understanding, recommending and listening again, while noting the study did not track what happened after recommendations were made.

Health Care Programmes

Senegal’s Diphtheria Outbreak Reaches 114 Confirmed Cases and 11 Deaths

By Kabir IsaOctober 5, 2026

Senegal has recorded 114 confirmed diphtheria cases and 11 deaths across 12 of its 14 regions as of 20 September 2026, with the Ministry of Health warning the epidemic is progressing rapidly. The outbreak, first detected in Kédougou in late July, marks the country's first diphtheria epidemic in more than twenty years. A researcher who studied a related outbreak in Guinea explains how the disease spreads, why it kills, and why vaccination gaps are driving its return.

Health Care Programmes

ECOWAS Marks World Rabies Day, Urges Coordinated Action on Dog-Transmitted Disease

By Kabir IsaSeptember 28, 2026

ECOWAS has used World Rabies Day to urge member states, health services and communities to intensify joint efforts against rabies. The bloc's Regional Animal Health Centre in Bissau cited regional surveillance data showing dog-transmitted rabies accounted for 38.8 per cent of reported priority zoonoses outbreaks in the first quarter of 2026.

Health Care Programmes

Review of 50 Studies Finds Stunting Dominates Child Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa

By Kabir IsaSeptember 28, 2026

A review of 50 studies published between 2015 and 2025 finds stunting remains the most frequently reported form of child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 25% of under-fives stunted in many countries. The research groups responses into nutrition-specific, nutrition-sensitive and integrated approaches, concluding that combining strategies may offer the most sustainable results.

Health Care Programmes

Africa CDC’s New Immunisation Strategy Targets Falling Vaccination Rates Across the Continent

By Kabir IsaSeptember 24, 2026

Africa CDC has launched a Continental Immunisation Strategy for 2026–2030 after about 7.1 million African children under one received no routine vaccine dose in 2025. The strategy covers six areas, and its authors identify five priorities including domestic financing, digital systems and vaccine sovereignty.