Lusaka — Progress against malaria in the African region has significantly slowed down, with cases declining by just 5% since 2015 and mortality by 16%, far short of the 75% reduction target that was to be achieved by 2025. Without intensified efforts, the region risks missing the 2030 targets under the Global Technical Strategy for…
Special Feature — When COVID-19 swept the globe in early 2020, health experts braced for devastation in Africa. The continent’s healthcare systems, already stretched thin by endemic diseases like malaria, seemed ill-equipped to handle a new pandemic. Yet as the virus spread, a puzzling pattern emerged – many African countries reported lower COVID-19 severity rates…
Lusaka — Ministers of Health, partners, and global health leaders convening on the sidelines of the Seventy Fifth WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC75) have issued an urgent call to accelerate Africa’s malaria response amid a “perfect storm” of challenges threatening to erode hard-won gains. Despite major progress, including a 16% reduction in malaria incidence…
Cape Town — When COVID-19 swept the globe in early 2020, health experts braced for devastation in Africa. The continent’s healthcare systems, already stretched thin by endemic diseases like malaria, seemed ill-equipped to handle a new pandemic. Yet as the virus spread, a puzzling pattern emerged – many African countries reported lower COVID-19 severity rates…
CRISPR gene-editing therapy has already shown immense promise in treating and curing diseases, but scientists are now revealing its potential for disease prevention. A recent paper published in Nature details how a team of researchers successfully edited a single gene in mosquitos, rendering them unable to transmit malaria. This groundbreaking development could eventually lead to…
New infant-friendly formulation closes a critical treatment gap for the youngest children, with support from African-led trials and global partners. Addis Ababa, 16 August 2025 – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) welcomes the approval of the first malaria treatment specifically formulated for newborns and infants weighing less than five kilogrammes…
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) applauded Nigeria for its role in the trials in a statement on Sunday. Nigeria has been named among eight African countries that contributed to a clinical trial leading to the approval of the first malaria treatment for newborns and infants weighing less than five kilogrammes….
The first malaria treatment for babies and very young children of 2 months up to 5 years was approved for use by Swiss agency for therapeutic products, Swissmedic, in early July 2025. Until now, babies and very young children have been treated with medicines formulated for older children. The Conversation Africa asked Fortunate Mokoena, about…
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Kizito Zua, a farmer living in Arua, a city in northern Uganda, had earned his way selling his produce at the local market. In 2020, when lockdown rules were enforced in his area, he was no longer able to tend to his land. Left without a source of income, Kizito had…
CRISPR gene-editing therapy has already shown immense promise in treating and curing diseases, but scientists are now revealing its potential for disease prevention. A recent paper published in Nature details how a team of researchers successfully edited a single gene in mosquitos, rendering them unable to transmit malaria. This groundbreaking development could eventually lead to…
