Today, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, reaffirmed the foundation’s long-term commitment to Africa and to working directly with countries to support breakthrough solutions in health, agriculture, gender equality, and other critical areas. In his first trip to Africa since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Bill Gates announced the foundation would spend…
Malawi Convenes National Health Financing Dialogue to create a roadmap for a sustainable future
The Government of Malawi has convened a National Health Financing Dialogue to align stakeholders on Malawi’s path towards sustainable financing of healthcare in line with both national and regional commitments. Identification, planning and implementation of domestic health financing reforms alongside key stakeholders is core to supporting better health outcomes for the people of Malawi. The…
New global plan to end TB
The Stop TB Partnership launched the Global Plan to End TB 2018-2022 that calls for 2.6 billion USD per year for vital research and development of new tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic tools, new drug regimens and a new vaccine, and 13 billion USD per year for TB care and prevention. With the new Global Plan, the…
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian is New Who Director-General
The WHO has Tuesday elected elected Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian, as its new Director-General. He will succeed Dr Margaret Chan, who has been WHO’s Director-General since 1 January 2007. Prior to his election as WHO’s next Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia from 2012-2016 and as Minister…
Malaria: Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi first countries to receive RTS, S malaria vaccine
Herman Opondo Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi were on Monday picked to take part in a WHO-coordinated malaria vaccine implementation programme (MVIP) that will make the world’s first malaria vaccine available in selected areas, beginning in 2018. The injectable vaccine, RTS,S, was developed to protect young children from the most deadly form of malaria caused by…
Malaria: First vaccine to pilot in sub Saharan Africa
The WHO has confirmed that the world’s first malaria vaccine will be rolled out in pilot projects in sub-Saharan Africa after securing funding for the initial phase of the programme. Vaccinations are due to begin in 2018. The vaccine, known as RTS,S, acts against P. falciparum, the most deadly malaria parasite globally, and the most…