“These filoviruses are always re-emerging” say East African scientists working on vaccine for Sudan Ebola strain

Two years after the Sudan Ebolavirus disrupted health systems in Uganda, killing 55 people, scientists in the region have started phase 2 trials on a new candidate vaccine. 19 December 2024 by John Agaba Dr Betty Mwesigwa was driving to the Makerere University Walter Reed Program (MUWRP) offices in Kampala  in 2022, when a news alert…

Could the TB vaccine in phase 3 trials in Malawi be a game-changer?

7,700 Malawians died of tuberculosis in 2021 alone. Researchers, health officials and survivors hope a vaccine designed for adults could make all the difference. 19 December 2024 by Rabson Kondowe In December 2023, Amosi Kapoti suspected that something was terribly wrong with him. He had lost weight and developed a prolonged fever, and had been coughing…

eHealth Africa Urges Focus on Non-Technical Factors for Digital Health Success

At the 2024 Global Digital Health Forum (GDHF) in Nairobi, eHealth Africa (eHA) called for governments and stakeholders to address critical factors beyond technology to ensure the long-term success of digital health solutions across Africa. Emphasizing the importance of integrating cultural norms and community-specific needs into health interventions, the organization underscored that technology alone cannot…

Breakthrough in Malaria Vaccine Development as RH5.1/Matrix-MTM Shows Promising Results

A clinical trial has revealed the potential of the RH5.1/Matrix-MTM malaria vaccine candidate to provide effective protection against blood-stage malaria, marking a major milestone in the fight against the disease. The results of a phase 2b clinical trial, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, demonstrate that the vaccine is both well-tolerated and effective, particularly in…

Intersectionality and Solidarity Central to Fighting Gender-Based Violence

Advocates across the globe have emphasized the critical importance of intersectionality, solidarity, and systemic change to address gender-based violence (GBV) and related forms of oppression. During an online engagement organized by GAMA, activists highlighted the significance of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence(November 25–December 10) as a vital platform for reflection and…

Africa CDC Celebrates Regulatory Milestone as Rwanda and Senegal Achieve WHO Maturity Level 3

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has commended the Rwanda Food and Drug Regulatory Authority (Rwanda FDA) and the Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP) for achieving World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3). This milestone reflects Africa’s growing capacity to enhance health systems through robust regulatory frameworks, ensuring the quality,…

In Nigeria, a hit pop song gets families dancing to the immunisation beat

“No More Zero Dose,” a catchy track featuring top West and Central African celebrities, is gaining traction among parents. 5 December 2024 by Jesusegun Alagbe On a sweltering evening in November, in Damboa, a busy town about 85 kilometres from Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno state, Halimat Jatau sat with her three-year-old daughter Aisha outside…