Global health

US Halts USAID HIV Funding for South Africa

The Trump administration has ordered the immediate termination of USAID funding for HIV programs in South Africa, impacting several organizations supported through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief . This decision, reported by News24, could result in setbacks in the fight against HIV and tuberculosis. Since its launch in 2003, PEPFAR has provided South Africa with approximately R145 billion, including R8.1 billion for the current US financial year.

28 February, 2025 23

Africa

WHO Investigates Mysterious Illness in DR Congo

Reuters reports indicate that the World Health Organization is investigating two outbreaks of an unknown illness in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo, which have resulted in over 50 deaths in recent weeks. As of February 16, there have been 431 reported cases and 53 fatalities in remote villages across two health zones in Equateur province, according to a WHO bulletin.

26 February, 2025 21

South Africa

US Judge Blocks Trump’s Freeze on HIV Aid To S.A

A U.S. federal judge has halted President Donald Trump’s attempt to freeze funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief , allowing CDC-funded HIV programs in South Africa to continue. Trump has appealed the ruling, with a decision expected later today. However, the long-term future of PEPFAR remains uncertain, as Congress must reauthorize the program by next month. The Trump administration has indicated plans to phase out funding, sparking […]

14 February, 2025 32

Africa

Uganda launches Ebola vaccine trial

In February 2025, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, WHO and partners launched a first ever vaccine trial for Ebola from the Sudan species of the virus. Credit: WHO Uganda’s Ministry of Health, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other global health agencies, has launched the first-ever clinical efficacy trial for a vaccine targeting the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus. Conducted at record speed, this is the […]

5 February, 2025 28

Namibia

Bience Gawa-!nas Highlights Namibia’s Global Role at Doha Forum

Bience Gawa-!nas, the Vice Chair of the Global Fund, discussed her involvement at the Doha Forum, where she represented Namibia on the global stage. Gawanas emphasized the significant role Namibia plays in receiving Global Fund grants to combat AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and to strengthen health systems:

11 December, 2024 29

World

UN suspends polio vaccine drive in the north of Gaza

The United Nations has been forced to pause it's polio vaccination drive in the north of Gaza. More than 100 thousand children were to receive the second dose of the vaccine but due the escalating violence this is now not possible. Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

24 October, 2024 34

Business / Economics

Gates Foundation Report Calls for Targeted Global Health Spending to Save Millions of Children from Malnutrition and Disease

In its eighth annual Goalkeepers report released today, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation urged world leaders to increase global health spending where it is needed most in order to boost children’s health and nutrition, especially in the face of the global climate crisis. The Goalkeepers report, “A Race to Nourish a Warming World,” projects that without immediate global action, climate change will condemn an additional 40 million […]

17 September, 2024 23

Africa

WHO approves first Mpox vaccine for Africa

The World Health Organization has approved the use of an Mpox vaccine for the first time, which it says should facilitate “timely and increased access” for millions at risk in Africa where the latest outbreak has infected more than 20,000 so far this year. Matt Wells from UN news reports.

16 September, 2024 32

Africa

Africa records nearly 1 million new cancer cases annually

The CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia, Rolf Hansen, is attending the 74th Session of the World Health Organisation Regional Committee for Africa in Congo Brazzaville. Hansen highlighted the urgent cancer crisis in the region, noting that over 900,000 new cancer cases and 586,000 cancer deaths occur annually in Africa. In response, the UICC community has welcomed the proposed framework as a crucial step forward. To maximize […]

29 August, 2024 36