AGP Executive Report

Ebola Emergency in DRC: The WHO says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is “far from under control,” with confirmed cases now above 5,000 and deaths at 2,378 across six provinces—while Tedros warns the risk of spread within and beyond borders remains high and there is still no approved vaccine or treatment. Response Strain: Reports highlight how insecurity, displacement, and attacks on health workers are slowing contact tracing and containment, as the outbreak is described as the deadliest in the country’s history and the fastest-growing on record. Regional Preparedness Push: ECOWAS health experts met in Abidjan to validate a new regional plan for epidemic preparedness and response, stressing that no single country can manage outbreaks alone. Kenya UHC Checkpoint: Kenya’s National Health Summit enters its final day, focusing on gaps in Universal Health Coverage and whether people can access care under the Social Health Authority reforms. Maternal/Surgical Access in Ghana: Mercy Ships returns to Ghana with its largest hospital ship to provide free surgical care, aiming to reduce barriers to timely, safe treatment.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 5,000 confirmed cases and is nearing a 50% fatality rate (2,325 deaths), with Africa CDC warning the real number of infections is likely higher and many deaths are occurring outside hospitals. Containment Push: WHO chief Tedros says the outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern and could still be brought under control with scaled-up resources, added beds, and faster contact tracing. Cholera Funding: The EU approved €2.3m emergency aid to curb cholera outbreaks in Nigeria and other West/Central African countries, with Nigeria receiving €1.5m. WASH Gaps in Morocco: A WHO/UNICEF report finds major sanitation and hygiene shortfalls in Moroccan health facilities, with only 10% meeting basic sanitation standards. Cancer Care in Nigeria: The Remi & Lara Olowookere Foundation broke ground for a specialist oncology hub in Lagos to expand cancer and gynaecology support. Water Stress Warning: EU officials warn drought and water scarcity are already threatening lives and health across Europe and beyond. Ibogaine Research Moves: US-backed efforts to accelerate ibogaine development gained momentum, including a new Arizona grant to study it for PTSD and brain injuries.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: The fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has now crossed 5,000 cases, with deaths reported above 2,300, spreading across six provinces and threatening to become the deadliest in the country’s history as health workers struggle to keep up with contact tracing. Cholera Response in Nigeria: The EU has released €1.5m emergency aid for Nigeria to boost cholera containment, expand treatment access, strengthen water, sanitation and hygiene, and improve surveillance and community awareness. Health Facilities Sanitation Gap: A new UN report says only 40% of healthcare facilities worldwide meet basic sanitation standards, with sub-Saharan Africa lagging at 23%, leaving hundreds of millions at risk. HIV Programme Continuity: Kenya’s KDF is moving to sustain its HIV programme as external support declines, exploring ways to strengthen institutional ownership and keep key interventions running. Road Safety Health Impact (South Africa): A bakkie crash in KwaZulu-Natal left multiple occupants seriously injured, underlining how road incidents keep feeding health system pressure. Public Health & Access (Ghana): Ghana’s road hawking problem is undermining enforcement and public order, with health and safety implications for pedestrians and commuters.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, now the deadliest in the country’s history, with health officials warning the true toll may be higher as the Bundibugyo strain spreads faster than past outbreaks and response teams struggle with conflict, remoteness, and limited tools. TB Disparity Research: A new international study tracking thousands of people across multiple regions suggests men’s higher TB rates may be driven more by higher infection risk than by differences in how disease progresses after infection. Malaria Vaccine Innovation: Researchers report a new “chemovaccination” approach that pairs mosquito-delivered malaria parasites with antimalarial drugs to block parasite development, aiming to build durable protection and reduce disease despite drug resistance. Cholera Funding Boost: The EU has approved €2.3m emergency support for cholera response across Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Chad, focusing on treatment capacity, surveillance, water and sanitation, and community risk communication. Health Tech Governance: A patient-focused discussion highlights how weak governance in ambient listening tools can threaten privacy, data security, and patient control over recordings—issues that matter as AI moves deeper into care.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, making it the deadliest in the country’s history, with the UN warning the virus is “winning” as health systems struggle and the Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccines or treatments. Health Coverage Costs in South Africa: As medical aid costs rise, more people are switching to health insurance—but experts warn it may not match medical aid coverage, especially for serious illness, chronic care and hospitalisation. Public Health & Safety in Liberia: A report highlights unsafe, unhygienic school conditions at Liberia Agriculture Company facilities, raising concerns about children’s learning environments and sanitation ahead of reopening. Healthcare Fraud Risk in Liberia: Authorities are facing criticism after a woman died following surgery by a man posing as a doctor without proper licensing, underscoring gaps in regulation. Community Health Through Sport in Tanzania: The CRDB Bank Marathon says it has raised over Sh5 billion since 2020, funding heart surgeries and care for high-risk pregnancies. Clean Mobility for Wellness in Uganda: Spiro and the Rwenzori Marathon launched an electric “green mobility” partnership to cut emissions while supporting runners and medical teams.

DR Congo Ebola/Bundibugyo surge: WHO reports Bundibugyo virus disease has climbed to 4,665 confirmed cases and 2,184 deaths, spreading across six provinces and accelerating faster than past outbreaks—raising fears of wider transmission. Public health strain at borders: In Spain’s Ceuta, hundreds of migrants protested on a beach demanding asylum as local health officials warn of a “sanitary catastrophe” amid overcrowding and rising patient loads. Health system and access: Nigeria’s National Population Commission says it has fully digitalised the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system (VitalReg), aiming to speed up birth/death registration and improve data reliability by linking with health and identity systems. Women in science: A South African piece highlights that only about a third of African women are research-active, arguing that underrepresentation leaves women’s issues under-studied and under-resourced. Research-to-jobs push: Kenya’s education leadership urged universities to commercialise research into products, services and enterprises that create jobs. Human rights and justice: A Ghana coalition calls for victim-centred approaches to tackling human trafficking and other transnational crimes, stressing protection and careful reporting. Legal rights in custody: Nigeria’s ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai files a fresh N10bn suit against ICPC over alleged denial of family access while detained.

Ebola Emergency in DR Congo: The outbreak has spread to a sixth province, with confirmed cases rising to 4,727 and deaths to 2,214, as health authorities warn community transmission and contact-tracing gaps could prolong the crisis. Donor Exit, Local Pressure (Kenya): US-funded Stawisha Pwani has ended its health services provision, shifting the burden to county governments to sustain HIV, TB and lab gains. Yellow Fever Preparedness (Kenya/India): Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in Kerala launched a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre for travellers, noting a single dose offers lifelong protection. Drug Control (Sierra Leone): Authorities destroyed 396 cartons of seized tramadol at Freetown’s port, stepping up scrutiny of pharmaceutical trafficking through maritime gateways. Public Health Risk in Ceuta: Ceuta’s migrant influx has triggered emergency sanitation alerts, with fears of cholera and other infectious diseases amid overcrowding. Health Workforce Strain (DR Congo): Ebola response teams say surveillance is failing to keep up, with many new cases found after people were already exposed. Family Planning Funding Push: A 9th Family Planning Conference is calling for stronger domestic funding to protect reproductive health services.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: The outbreak has spread to a sixth province, with confirmed cases now above 4,600 and deaths reported over 2,200, as health workers struggle to keep up with fast transmission and harder contact tracing amid insecurity. Surveillance Strain: In Ituri, community teams say 60–70% of new cases are found among people not previously monitored, meaning the response is “chasing the virus.” Vaccine Limits: Scientists flag the Bundibugyo strain, noting existing Ebola vaccines may not protect, while Africa CDC and WHO push for faster deployment of Ervebo. Lagos Water Fight: CAPPA warns Lagos against private concession plans for water infrastructure, saying it could deepen the crisis through unclear tariffs and metering control. Cancer Care Push (Nigeria): Nigeria targets local production and servicing of radiotherapy and imaging equipment by 2030, backed by incentives and training needs. Stroke Misread (South Africa): A family initially mistook a young woman’s stroke symptoms for a snake bite, underscoring the need for rapid emergency response. Regional Trade Health (EAC): Rwanda’s alcohol ban on Kenya and Uganda is testing EAC dispute rules, with regulators arguing about whether harmonised standards can be overridden.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: The outbreak has surged into a sixth province, with confirmed cases now at 4,727 and deaths at 2,214. Health officials warn community transmission and gaps in contact tracing could prolong the epidemic, as UN leaders say Ebola is killing a person every 30 minutes and response must move faster. Health System Strain: Exhausted frontline teams in Congo struggle to keep up with surveillance and contact tracing, highlighting how delays can let the virus outrun efforts. Local Care Milestone (Ghana): Rabito Clinic marks 50 years of service in Accra, expanding from dermatology into a multi-branch network offering gynaecology, lab services, occupational health, dietetics and psychology. Maternal & Public Health Focus: A report flags that Hep B is linked to 75% of cancer cases, renewing calls for prevention and screening. Nutrition & Food Security (Morocco): Scientists report a way to turn potassium-rich syenite rock into slower-release fertiliser, aiming to cut reliance on costly imported potash for African crops.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: Ebola deaths in the DRC have climbed past 2,100, with confirmed cases now above 4,600 as the outbreak spreads to a sixth province—raising fears it could become the deadliest on record. Africa CDC Response: Africa CDC is backing urgent vaccine deployment and faster, community-led containment as health systems struggle to keep up. Malaria Vaccine Scale-Up: A new push highlights how scaling malaria vaccines across Africa must be paired with stronger prevention, diagnosis and treatment to beat drug and insecticide resistance. Kenya Drought Warning: ICPAC warns western Kenya could face below-normal rainfall through August, with soil moisture and vegetation stress already affecting farms, livestock and food prices. Nigeria Fish Supply Gap: Nigeria, FAO, ECOWAS and the EU are seeking investment to close a 2.2m-tonne fish supply shortfall to boost jobs and food security. Health Research & Trials: Malaysia is increasingly seen as a contributor to global clinical research, while California announced $6.2m for precision medicine partnerships focused on underrepresented groups.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: The Africa CDC says Congo’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has reached a sixth province after a death was recorded in Bas-Uele, raising fears it could surpass the deadliest outbreak on record; officials report 2,100+ deaths and 4,500+ cases, with response strained by strikes, insecurity and misinformation. Public Health Under Strain: In Durban, residents in multiple neighbourhoods report days without water after pipeline failures, with health and hygiene impacts as ageing infrastructure and outages persist. Healthcare Access & Care: A South African palliative care biography programme helped a man living with advanced prostate cancer find purpose and joy after major setbacks, highlighting the role of compassionate support alongside treatment. Religious Speech & Public Order: Ghana police arrested Apostle Daniel JY Adjei over alleged offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad, with investigations linked to broader concerns about online religious incitement. Sanitation & Waste Work: Ghana is urged to formally recognise and incentivise informal waste workers to strengthen waste management and improve environmental sanitation. RSV Prevention Research: SK Bioscience filed for a Phase 1b trial in South Africa for an RSV preventive antibody candidate in infants, aiming to expand protection beyond vaccines.

Ebola Emergency in DR Congo: The outbreak is now in a sixth province after a death was recorded in Bas-Uélé, with Africa CDC warning it could become the deadliest on record if control efforts fail; officials say the rare Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or treatment, while disinformation, unpaid health workers and rebel threats are hampering response. Vaccine Push: Moderna has started the first human trial of an mRNA vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada, aiming to test safety and whether it builds immunity—an urgent gap as cases surge. Cholera Watch: UNICEF warns cholera is spreading along river and trade routes across West and Central Africa, with active outbreaks in six countries and millions of children at risk as flooding disrupts clean water and sanitation. Cancer Care Training (Ghana): Tamale Teaching Hospital trained 45 frontline nurses to spot and escalate chemotherapy toxicities earlier, strengthening safety and quality of cancer treatment beyond the oncology unit. Food & Water Innovation (Ghana): CSIR-WRI is turning fish-farm wastewater into crop inputs to cut pollution and improve yields, offering a practical route to safer irrigation and better nutrition.

Ebola Alert (DR Congo): WHO says the eastern Congo Ebola outbreak is on track to become the deadliest ever, with over 2,000 deaths and more than 4,300 cases, and warns it may have started months earlier—while health workers struggle to reach conflict-affected communities. Health Workforce (Nigeria): Nigeria’s Academy of Medical Sciences urges urgent action on the healthcare worker shortage and high maternal mortality, noting rural areas remain underserved as most practitioners cluster in major cities. Maternal/Child Health (Liberia): A stalled US$90,000 bridge project in River Cess leaves families and schoolchildren risking dangerous crossings after payments were made but work never started. Diagnostics & Local Manufacturing (Uganda): Equity Bank Uganda backs Microhaem Scientifics with a $50m boost to expand locally made malaria testing and cut reliance on imported diagnostics. Plant Health & Trade (Zambia): Zambia upgrades the Livingstone plant health lab to speed testing and reduce costs, helping farmers meet phytosanitary requirements for regional markets. Mental Health (Kenya): A global mission and symposium in Kitale focuses on trauma-informed care and community mental health training. Climate Finance (ECOWAS): ECOWAS pushes a regional carbon market to close a $294bn climate funding gap, warning rising heat could displace millions. Energy Access (Central African Republic): A 50MW solar-plus-battery project in Sakaï is completed, aiming to power healthcare and public services for hundreds of thousands of households.

Ebola Alarm in DR Congo: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the outbreak is already the second-biggest on record and moving faster than any previous Ebola event, with cases and deaths rising and many deaths occurring in communities outside known contact lists—warning it could eclipse the 2014–2016 West Africa crisis. Community Health Reality Check: Coverage from Mongbwalu highlights why containment is so hard in mobile mining areas, where women keep working to feed families despite movement controls, leaving prevention and tracing under strain. Sports Welfare Push: Ghana’s Black Queens players demand unpaid bonuses, per diems and better welfare support, including mental health services, calling out government neglect during their WAFCON campaign. Banking & Health-Adjacent Stability: KCB regains East and Central Africa’s top bank spot by assets, reporting stronger deposits and lending—an economic signal that can affect how quickly health and social services get funded. Child Mental Wellbeing: A Namibia-focused campaign argues children must be listened to, framing emotional wellbeing as a public health and development priority. Eye Safety Reminder: Health warnings urge people not to look at the solar eclipse without proper certified protection to prevent permanent eye injury.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,449 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths, with officials calling it the fastest-spreading outbreak on record as conflict, bad roads, and health-worker payment stoppages slow response. Food Safety Alert: A food scientist warns people to avoid bagged salad leaves, citing reports of Cyclospora-related illness and saying germs can multiply in salad packaging even in the fridge. Heart Health Nutrition: A new analysis suggests eating about a handful of nuts daily (around 30–35g) could cut hypertension risk by up to 26%, with benefits appearing to plateau. Public Health & Care Access: Nigeria’s SSNIT asset growth to GH¢35.5bn raises a key question for pensioners: portfolio size doesn’t automatically translate into better monthly support. Digital Health Push: Global Health Exhibition 2026 highlights how AI and digital health are moving from pilots to real deployment across healthcare systems. Youth Jobs Pressure: The ILO warns AI and weak job creation are worsening youth unemployment globally, with Arab and Northern Africa hit hardest.

Ebola Crisis in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo reports 2,011 Ebola deaths from 4,381 confirmed cases, with the Bundibugyo strain spreading fast across eastern provinces as health systems struggle amid conflict, poor roads, and unpaid work stoppages. Travel & Safety Measures: The U.S. escalated its warning to Level 4 for Ituri and Nord-Kivu, urging Americans to avoid all travel, and added temporary flight-related restrictions tied to recent presence in the country. Frontline Strain: Reports highlight how response capacity is being overwhelmed, with contact tracing and access to remote communities lagging behind the outbreak’s pace. Surgery & Drug Resistance: Malawi will host COSECSA’s College of Surgeons conference (Nov 27–Dec 4) under the theme “Surgery in the Era of Antimicrobial Resistance,” aiming to strengthen infection prevention and safe surgical protocols. HPV Prevention in Ghana: Ghana’s rollout of nationwide HPV vaccination for adolescent girls is spotlighted, with renewed attention on HPV’s role in both cervical and throat cancers. Health Logistics Innovation (Ghana): Ghana’s national medical drone programme continues to expand last-mile delivery of medicines, vaccines, and blood to rural clinics.