AGP Executive Report

Ebola Response: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to a record 1,094 confirmed cases and 277 deaths, with WHO noting the first-month caseload is the highest for an Ebola outbreak in Africa as response capacity expands. Ebola Treatment Access: The US has begun supplying an experimental Ebola antibody drug for compassionate use and clinical trials in Congo, as authorities warn the outbreak could worsen without stronger action. Public Health Policy: WHO is urging countries to expand newborn screening for birth defects, saying millions of babies miss early diagnosis and treatment, especially in low- and middle-income settings. Disease Prevention & Control: In Uganda, researchers report cholera has been eliminated from within-country transmission, though cross-border outbreaks remain a risk. Sanitation & Accountability: Ghana is making sanitation a key performance indicator for local leaders, aiming to tackle open defecation and waste management gaps. Animal Health: In the Philippines, African swine fever has killed 500+ pigs in Negros Occidental, prompting quarantine and biosecurity steps. Climate & Health: Europe’s extreme heat is being framed by WHO as a health emergency, with record temperatures and drowning deaths reported.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: WHO says DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has hit the highest confirmed-case total in its first month of any Ebola episode, with spread into urban areas and displacement camps; officials report 1,000+ cases and 250+ deaths and warn the regional risk is “high,” urging faster surveillance and isolation. Kenya Ebola Quarantine Clash: Kenya’s health minister halted a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility after a High Court order; protests followed fears of public-health risk and the government said discussions with the US are ongoing. Heatwave Health Emergency (Europe): A record-breaking European heatwave is driving school closures, transport disruption, and health warnings, with France reporting 40 drowning deaths and extreme temperatures pushing “danger to life” alerts. African Swine Fever (ASF): In Nigeria’s region?—No, Philippines coverage: San Enrique in Negros Occidental (Philippines) reports 500+ pig deaths from ASF, with border controls and revived containment measures. Healthcare Expansion (Nigeria): Akwa Ibom unveiled a Medical City project and hired 2,844 health workers since 2025, aiming to cut medical tourism and boost advanced care access.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: Confirmed Ebola cases in eastern Congo have climbed to 1,048, including 267 deaths, with contact tracing still struggling amid conflict and displacement. Heatwave Health Crisis: A record-breaking European heatwave has killed at least 18 people in France, including two children found unconscious in a hot car, as temperatures soar and schools adjust schedules. Water Safety Alarm: A new study finds False Bay water contaminated with pharmaceuticals, pesticides and heavy metals, with sediments acting as a long-term storage for pollution. Health Financing Push (Liberia): Liberia’s health ministry has submitted a bill to create a national health insurance system via a Health Equity Fund and a new Health Equity Authority. Women-Led Innovation: AWIEF launches Pitch n Grow 2026, a women entrepreneurship pitch competition focused on “Deep Roots, Digital Futures,” including HealthTech. Training for Industry Health & Safety (Nigeria): NLNG’s Train 7 graduates 70 young professionals after a year-long programme including Health, Safety and Environment exposure. Animal Health Alert (Zimbabwe/Philippines): Zimbabwe reports major rural electrification gains, while in the Philippines ASF has killed 500+ pigs in Negros Occidental, prompting renewed biosecurity and border controls.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: Congo’s Ministry of Health confirms 1,003 Ebola cases and 254 deaths, with contact tracing at about 55% and fears displacement camps could fuel spread. Health System Strain: Officials say poor protective equipment and limited infection-control are driving new infections, while violence and uncertainty over the outbreak’s start complicate response. HIV Prevention Research (Uganda): Pace University researchers spotlight how provider attitudes and practical barriers shape uptake of the dapivirine vaginal ring for adolescent girls and young women. Cancer Screening Debate (Prostate): A fresh explainer revisits why PSA testing remains controversial—balancing false positives and over-treatment against the need for early detection. Climate & Health Risk (Europe heatwave): Record-breaking heat in France has left at least 18 dead, including two children found in a hot car—another warning for heat-stress preparedness. Food Security (Kenya/IGAD): IGAD launches its Soil Health and Fertilizer Hub in Nairobi to restore degraded land and improve fertilizer access across member states. Weight-loss Drug Ruling (South Africa): Pretoria court blocks a pharmacy group from selling semaglutide-based weight-loss medicines pending further investigations.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: Confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC have jumped past 1,000 (1,003) with 254 deaths, as health workers report infections spreading even into ordinary clinics due to weak infection control, PPE shortages, and poor surveillance. Child Surgery Crisis: Across sub-Saharan Africa, hospitals are scrambling to replace halothane—used for child operations—after the last manufacturer shut down in 2023; charities warn stocks could run out by end-2027, exposing years of underfunded anaesthesia systems. Regional Health Security Training: East African doctors are training for Ebola response, with Africa CDC warning the risk across the East African Community is high as the outbreak spreads near borders. Pharma Cooperation: Egypt and Sierra Leone sign an MoU to strengthen pharmaceutical regulation and capacity building. Public Health Awareness: Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority ramps up GMO public education to counter misinformation. Wellness Spotlight: Thousands turn out for International Yoga Day across Kenya and East Africa, with events themed around healthy ageing.

Ebola Response: DR Congo’s Ebola situation keeps worsening, with health agencies warning that cases are spreading fast while funding and tracking gaps undermine containment. Health Workforce & Care Access: Merck Foundation says it has funded 2,600+ scholarships for healthcare providers across 52 countries and 44 specialties, aiming to build specialist capacity in underserved settings. Specialist Care Upgrade: Tanzania’s Muhimbili Orthopaedic and Neurological Institute (MOI) plans to roll out robotic surgery and advanced procedures to reduce referrals abroad, including robotic hip, knee and spine care. Malaria Prevention Drive: Rwanda’s faith-led community campaign with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre pushes “Zero Malaria Starts With Me,” focusing on net use, removing breeding sites and early treatment. Maternal Health History: A feature revisits how early gynaecology breakthroughs were built on Black women’s suffering, renewing calls for ethical accountability and reparation in healthcare. Public Health & Climate: Europe’s severe heat wave—linked to an “African anticyclone” heat dome—triggered health alerts and travel disruption, highlighting rising climate health risks. Community Health Events: NAACP chapters in the US promoted men’s health and Juneteenth community wellbeing activities, blending screenings, resources and family support.

Ebola Watch: DRC’s Ebola outbreak is spreading fast, with Africa CDC and WHO warning of worsening transmission as contact tracing coverage falls and labs run out of testing kits; Public Health Response: Nigeria has appointed Prof. George Ugwu to the Presidential Task Force on Ebola preparedness, aiming for zero cases and strengthening border management and surveillance; Water & Child Health: Day of the African Child coverage spotlights how lack of clean water, sanitation and hygiene keeps children out of school and harms health; Disability-Inclusive Climate Action: Nigerian stakeholders call for disability-sensitive early warning systems and disability-disaggregated data so persons with disabilities aren’t left out of climate emergency planning; AI Skills Debate: Nigeria’s plan to train 36,000 youths in AI is criticised as too small, with calls to start AI literacy in primary schools; Sexual Violence & Justice: A Malawian case condemns police for ordering a defilement victim to do punitive labour instead of following proper child justice procedures.

Ebola Emergency (DR Congo): WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo is evolving “so fast,” with no vaccine or specific treatment, as cases and deaths keep climbing and displacement threatens transmission. Orphanage Cluster (Ituri): A 6-month-old girl died at an Ebola orphanage in Ituri, the third child fatality at the facility, highlighting how close-contact caregiving is fueling spread. PPE Push (DR Congo): Direct Relief and 3M are shipping 250,000 N95 respirators plus protective gear and key medicines to support frontline care in Bunia. Public Health Risk (Lagos): Lagos activists accuse the state of waste mismanagement turning areas into mosquito and disease breeding grounds, urging stronger enforcement and accountability. Water Crisis (Nigeria): A new report warns that unsafe water still affects most Nigerians, linking water scarcity and contamination to preventable illness and child deaths. Pharma Cooperation (Ghana/Sierra Leone/Egypt): Egypt’s Drug Authority signs an MoU with Sierra Leone’s Pharmacy Board to strengthen regulation and capacity building. Health Governance (Nigeria): Enugu’s health commissioner Prof. George Ugwu is appointed to Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on Ebola preparedness.

Ebola Response Under Strain: In eastern DR Congo, Ebola is spreading fast and health workers say misinformation and distrust are pushing some patients toward traditional healers and delaying hospital care, as the outbreak nears 900 cases and deaths pass 200. Cross-Border Screening Guidance: Kenya and partners are urged to focus on symptom-based checks at entry points, since Ebola becomes infectious after symptoms—unlike COVID-19—making “test everyone” approaches scientifically weak. Funding & System Gaps: Africa CDC warns response deficits and overwhelmed treatment capacity are worsening the crisis, with insecurity in hotspots like North Kivu disrupting surveillance and contact tracing. Sickle Cell Stigma Fight: Nigeria marks World Sickle Cell Day with calls to end rejection and neglect, pushing for public education, affordable care, and blood donation to support patients. Public Health & Safety Messaging: Men’s health and routine screenings are highlighted as essential, not just “blood pressure checks,” with attention to hidden burdens affecting wellbeing. Civic Space Pressure: Zimbabwe’s civic groups face tighter laws and funding shocks, raising concerns for health and community support work.

Ebola Response: African leaders, AU bodies and partners backed a major push to accelerate the Bundibugyo Ebola response in DR Congo and Uganda, pledging US$910m and urging release of US$518m for a joint continental plan covering surveillance, contact tracing, labs, case management and cross-border coordination. Public Health Warning: Africa CDC and experts say the outbreak is still undermined by contact-tracing limits, insecurity and funding gaps, with cumulative figures around 894 cases and 204 deaths. Fast Spread Alarm: WHO warns the DR Congo outbreak is evolving “so fast” and remains serious, with transmission continuing in conflict-affected provinces. Frontline Logistics: Kenya and neighbours are leaning on truck drivers as a first line of defense, adding screenings and awareness at hubs and borders as cargo keeps moving. Health System Strain: Reports highlight health worker deaths and shortages of basic protective gear, while attacks and fear around treatment centres disrupt care and safe burials. Capacity Building: Tanzania’s MUHAS partners with Singapore’s Duke-NUS to boost specialist training and research in areas including infectious diseases and digital health.

Ebola Update (DR Congo): The eastern DRC Ebola outbreak is worsening again, with conflict, mistrust and no vaccine making containment difficult; by May 15 there were already 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths, and Africa CDC warns contact tracing is low as the virus spreads across Ituri and beyond. Ebola Preparedness (Nigeria): Nigeria has inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness, stressing prevention and “zero case” goals while border and surveillance subcommittees are activated. Cancer Care (Africa): Merck Foundation and Tata Memorial Centre trained health workers through oncology scholarships, reaching 27 African countries and 141 trainees to boost cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment skills. Public Health (Ghana): Ghana’s GHS launches a mass drug administration campaign from June 20 to July 3, targeting nearly 8 million people for river blindness, elephantiasis and schistosomiasis. Maternal Health (UK innovations): British researchers highlight low-cost tools—like blood pressure monitoring, blood-loss measurement and AI ultrasound—to prevent avoidable maternal deaths from pre-eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage and sepsis. Wellness & Nutrition: Simple meal ideas keep coming—drumstick pods and leafy greens for everyday nutrition, plus reminders that young and healthy people still need health planning.

Ebola Response: The Africa CDC says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed 202 people out of 875 confirmed cases, with contact tracing still “low” amid security and access challenges. Emergency Funding: The US CDC will release $107m for Ebola response in DR Congo and Uganda, including lab support, border health work and community acceptance efforts. Pregnancy Risk Testing: Researchers report blood analysis can show molecular differences between early and pre-term pregnancies as early as the first trimester, pointing to earlier risk prediction. Maternal Health Pressure: A report links deep-rooted son-preference in parts of DR Congo to repeated risky pregnancies and health complications, with women often blamed for not having boys. Health Workforce Crisis: Nigeria’s doctors shortage is worsening, with only about 55,000 actively practising for over 220m people, fuelling a system under strain. Digital Safety & Health: Coverage highlights how AI “nudify” tools can be used to harm people without consent, raising new consumer protection and wellbeing concerns. Insurance for Youth: South African experts warn young people in volatile gig work need insurance more than ever as digital dependency and liability risks rise.

Ebola Watch: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is worsening, with Bunia fans celebrating a historic draw against Portugal even as cases and deaths climb and response strains under insecurity and mistrust. Cross-Border Alerts: Kerala, India reported a suspected Ebola case in a woman who travelled from South Sudan via Uganda; samples were sent for testing and officials urged no panic. Health System Growth: Equity Group launched its first standalone community pharmacy in Nairobi, adding blood pressure and blood sugar screening and wellness guidance to expand access to medicines. Public Health Messaging: Hawai‘i DOH flagged a travel-related dengue case on Oʻahu involving a visitor; officials say local transmission risk is low but urged residents to remove standing water. Child Protection: Namibia’s Day of the African Child coverage highlights ongoing violence, abuse and neglect risks, with calls for stronger access to healthcare, education and water/sanitation. Maternal Health Lens: A new AP focus on maternal mortality underscores that Africa accounts for most global pregnancy deaths, driven by gaps in care and resources. Equity & Inclusion: “Circle In” uses sport-for-social-good to support psychosocial wellbeing and learning for vulnerable Palestinian children, including girls, refugees and children with disabilities.

Ebola Response: WHO has released its first clinical guidelines for treating Ebola, Marburg and other filoviruses, stressing early supportive care as outbreaks strain African health systems. DR Congo Outbreak Update: The Red Cross says the Congo Ebola outbreak has yet to peak and could last up to a year, as Africa CDC warns the situation may become the “worst ever.” Global Funding Push: The EU pledged €493m ($572m) for frontline care, humanitarian support, and vaccine/treatment research, while India announced $10m for Africa-led preparedness and response. Local Health Strengthening (Togo): Togo is set to receive a $14.26m West African health systems grant to boost emergency preparedness, surveillance, and a cross-border “One Health” lab. Cancer Prevention (Kenya): Dr James Nyikal says Kenya could eliminate cervical cancer in 25 years by scaling vaccination and annual screening, calling out stigma and governance gaps. Public Health Risk (WHO): WHO warns unsafe food kills 1.5m people yearly, with young children hit hardest and Africa among the worst-affected regions. Air Pollution (Uganda): Uganda begins compulsory vehicle emissions checks after air pollution in Kampala was linked to more deaths than HIV.

Ebola Update (DR Congo): The Red Cross says the current DR Congo Ebola outbreak has yet to peak and could last about a year, with 808 cases and 192 deaths reported as response efforts face insecurity and community resistance. Regional Coordination (AU/G7): African leaders backed a stronger, coordinated response, while G7 talks in Evian urged faster action to contain the outbreak and prevent spread. Health Systems & Trust: Reporting from the ground highlights how lack of treatment centres and attacks on responders are undermining safe care and dignified burials. Public Health Accountability (Uganda): Uganda’s Kadaga publicly criticized the health ministry for not declaring a cholera outbreak in Amuru despite rising deaths and cases near the Uganda–South Sudan border. Clean Water Push (Youth/WASH): Youth delegates demanded urgent investment in clean water infrastructure for African children, pointing to the gap between water resources and access. Clean Cooking (Kenya): TotalEnergies pledged Sh1bn annually for LPG clean cooking, targeting hundreds of thousands of cylinders to expand access while tackling illegal refilling.

Ebola Emergency: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is worsening, with Oxfam warning the “true scale” is being masked by poor water and sanitation, limited testing, and under-reporting in remote areas. G7 Health Security: G7 leaders called for a strong, coordinated response to Ebola risks spreading from eastern DR Congo to Uganda, stressing that vaccines, diagnostics and therapies are not fully effective on the rare strain. Cervical Cancer Prevention: Ghana’s CDA Consult urged nationwide HPV vaccination scale-up to prevent cervical cancer, citing over 90% protection when given before exposure. Research Funding: Ghana’s President Mahama approved GH¢100m for the National Research Fund, aiming for transparent, results-driven grants and innovation. AI & Health Innovation: Ghana plans a government-backed innovation fund for startups, linked to its National AI Strategy and “innovation sandboxes” for healthtech and other sectors. Digital Health Cooperation: Tunisia and Togo signed a framework to deepen cooperation including digital health, research and higher education. Data Sovereignty: Kenya launched “Servernah Cloud,” a sovereign-hosted cloud and AI platform for regulated workloads. Tobacco Control Push: Kenya’s tobacco and nicotine coalition backed the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, urging stronger regulation as vapes and new nicotine products outpace current laws.