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  • 10 most dangerous countries to travel to in 2025

    In the year 2025, despite the endeavours of the UN, WHO, and other world organisations to make the world a safer, peaceful, and healthy place to be, there are a few countries as of 2025 that are high-risk and pose a dangerous threat for anyone looking to travel there.

    The 10 most dangerous countries to travel to in 2025 are as follows:

    Sudan
    The war in Sudan has made the country one of the least hospitable travel destinations on the planet, due to the ongoing civil conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April 2023. This conflict has severely disrupted the country’s infrastructure, economy, and society, leading to a humanitarian crisis. Sudan’s situation remains critical due to ongoing violence, a collapsed healthcare system, and acute shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The challenges are compounded by rising prices, making life almost unbearable for the population.

    Yemen
    In January 2015, Yemen fell into utter war and chaos after Houthi fighters seized the presidential compound in Sanaa. The war has raged on ever since, bringing famine to the country and instability in the region. As of March 2025, the United States launched its biggest air and naval strikes. This marked the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East. Humanitarian efforts are crumbling under the violence, making Yemen one of the most dangerous places in the world to travel to in 2025.

    Myanmar
    Myanmar isn’t a safe place to travel right now due to the ongoing civil war. The civil war in Myanmar has been recorded as the world’s longest ongoing civil war, which has spanned almost eight decades. Since staging a coup in 2021, Myanmar has experienced severe unrest that has led to the displacement of over 3 million people and crimes against humanity. The War in Myanmar has led to the collapse of essential services, including health and water systems, combined with natural disasters like cyclones and floods. Visiting Myanmar in 2025 might not be a good idea.

    Syria
    Syria is a nation still devastated by years of war, with active combat zones and various militant groups. 13.8 million Syrians have been displaced due to the war and unrest in the nation. Syria can be noted as one of the largest humanitarian crises globally.

    South Sudan
    Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has experienced ethnic conflicts, battling major political crises, and severe flooding. To add to the list of troubles, South Sudan is home to nearly 900,000 refugees from Sudan due to the war, straining its limited resources. South Sudan’s instability at the moment has made it unsafe.

    Ukraine
    The ongoing conflict with Russia has led to widespread destruction of property, displacement of thousands of Ukrainians, and a volatile security situation, making Ukraine a dangerous destination for travellers.

    Somalia
    The situation in Somalia is a complex humanitarian crisis. The extremist group Al-Shabaab, has carried out over 120 attacks in 2024 alone. Drought has also been a major issue in the country, with thousands of people needing assistance.

    Iraq
    While the territorial threat of ISIS has diminished, Iraq remains unstable due to recurring insurgent attacks, militia violence, and political turmoil. Security remains fragile, especially in rural areas, and deep-rooted ethnic and sectarian divisions continue to fuel unrest.

    Haiti
    The government in Haiti is at its weakest point now, unable to tackle the insecurity in the country, with armed groups in constant conflict with the police. Some areas in the country have fallen into the hands of these armed groups, spiking Crime, kidnappings, and food shortages. At the same time, natural rake through communities.

    Lebanon
    Lebanon has been in deep turmoil due to multiple overlapping crises, over 1.5 million refugees have stretched resources in the country dry, a political crisis, an outbreak of cholera, a blast that killed over 200 people and displaced thousands.

  • WHO launches plan for free child cancer medicines

    WHO launches plan for free child cancer medicines

    The World Health Organization launched on Tuesday a new platform providing cost-free cancer medicines for thousands of children living in low- and middle-income countries, in a bid to improve lagging survival rates.

    The first medicines were being delivered to Mongolia and Uzbekistan, the WHO said, with further shipments planned for Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal and Zambia, as part of the project’s pilot phase.

    The treatments are expected to reach around 5,000 children with cancer this year across at least 30 hospitals in those six nations.

    “Countries in the pilot phase will receive an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines at no cost,” the UN health agency said in a statement.

    The WHO said that childhood cancer survival rates in low- and middle-income countries were often below 30 percent, compared with around 80 percent in high-income countries.

    “For too long, children with cancer have lacked access to life-saving medicines,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

    A further six countries have been invited to join the platform, which hopes to reach 50 countries in the next five to seven years, providing medicines for approximately 120,000 children.

    An estimated 400,000 children worldwide develop cancer every year, most of them living in resource-limited settings, the WHO said.

    “It is estimated that 70 percent of the children from these settings die from cancer due to factors such as lack of appropriate treatment, treatment disruptions or low-quality medicines,” it said.

    The WHO said cost-free provision would continue beyond the pilot phase, and the platform is working on developing its sustainability over the longer term.

    The plan to establish the platform was first announced in December 2021.

    It is a joint enterprise between the WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee in the United States.

    The non-profit paediatric treatment and research institution has committed $200 million to its launch, the WHO said.

  • Trump’s HIV funding freeze can undo years of progress, raise illness risk – WHO

    Trump’s HIV funding freeze can undo years of progress, raise illness risk – WHO

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of adverse consequences of the immediate suspension of funding for HIV programmes in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries under the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief  (PEPFAR) – a flagship initiative of the global HIV response established over 20 years ago.

    WHO says the move will upset HIV programmes and have a direct impact on millions of lives that depend on the regular supply of safe and effective antiretroviral treatment (ART), and is urging the Trump administration to create more exemptions to ensure the delivery of lifesaving HIV treatment and care in the affected countries. More than 1.9 million Nigerians are currently receiving antiretroviral treatment.

    The Director General of WHO, Dr Tedros  Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who expressed worry over the development, said programmes that will be affected by the funding cut, provide critical HIV therapy to over 30 million people around the world.

    In a statement, Tedros cautioned that a funding freeze can raise the risk of illness and death for those living with HIV and hinder efforts to prevent the spread of the virus within communities.

    He said that if the situation continues, it could lead to more new infections and deaths, undoing years of progress, and could return the world back to the 1980s and 1990s, a time when millions died from HIV each year, including many in the United States.

    The statement reads: WHO expresses deep concern about the implications of the immediate funding pause for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries. These programmes provide access to life-saving HIV therapy to more than 30 million people worldwide.

    “A funding halt for HIV programmes can put people living with HIV at immediate increased risk of illness and death and undermine efforts to prevent transmission in communities and countries.

    “Such measures, if prolonged, could lead to rises in new infections and deaths, reversing decades of progress and potentially taking the world back to the 1980s and 1990s when millions died of HIV every year globally, including many in the United States of America.

    “For the global community, this could result in significant setbacks to progress in partnerships and investments in scientific advances that have been the cornerstone of good public health programming, including innovative diagnostics, affordable medicines, and community delivery models of HIV care.

    “We call on the Government of the United States of America to enable additional exemptions to ensure the delivery of lifesaving HIV treatment and care,” Tedros stated.

    Established by the U.S. Leadership Against Global HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, PEPFAR is  the largest health initiative focused on a single disease worldwide. Over the past two decades, it has funded programmes that saved more than 26 million lives.

    PEPFAR  has been active in Nigeria since 2003, aiming to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The programme has invested over $7.8 billion to enhance the health system and improve access to HIV treatments. It increased the number of antiretroviral treatment sites from approximately 25 in 2001 to over 1,000 at present.

    The rate of HIV infection dropped from 5.1 percent at the programme’s debut to 1.4 percent in 2018. PEPFAR has also enhanced data management and strengthened Nigeria’s health systems, while helping to develop policies and boost human resources.

    PEPFAR aims to eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health issue by 2030. It also seeks to help Nigeria meet the “95-95-95” targets, which focus on diagnosing, treating, and sustaining HIV treatment.

  • Trump Signs Order to Pull US Out of WHO

    Trump Signs Order to Pull US Out of WHO

    US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order initiating the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).

    The order, issued on Monday, marks Trump’s latest controversial move following his return to the presidency.

    The executive order cited multiple reasons for the withdrawal, including the WHO’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, failure to implement necessary reforms, and perceived political influence from member states.

    “The US is withdrawing due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states,” the order stated.

    The order also criticized the WHO’s funding model, claiming it imposed “unfairly onerous payments” on the US, which are disproportionate compared to contributions from other countries, such as China.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the organization’s conduct.

    “World Health ripped us off; everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” he said.

    This is the second time Trump has moved to pull the US out of the global health body. In 2020, during his first term, Trump heavily criticized the WHO for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing the organization of favoring China. While he initiated the withdrawal process at the time, President Joe Biden reversed the decision upon assuming office.

    The US has long been the largest contributor to the WHO, providing nearly one-fifth of its budget in 2023. The withdrawal means the US will officially leave the organization in 12 months.

  • Five Katsina Revenue Officials in EFCC Net Over Alleged N1.29 Billion Fraud

    Five Katsina Revenue Officials in EFCC Net Over Alleged N1.29 Billion Fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained five officials of the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service over allegations of diverting N1.29 billion in state funds.

    In a statement on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale revealed that the suspects colluded to misappropriate funds meant for the Katsina State Government. The detained officials are Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Sauri.

    “They were arrested following a petition from the Katsina state government alleging that the suspects colluded and diverted the sum of N1,294,337,676.53 accruing to the state from the World Health Organization (WHO), Medicins Sans Frontiers, and the **Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA),” the statement read.

    The EFCC’s preliminary investigation revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former director of collections and now permanent secretary of the revenue board, authorized the opening of a bank account at Sterling Bank under the name “BOIRS.” He allegedly designated Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Director of Revenue Account, and Ibrahim Kofar Soro as sole signatories to the account.

    “Subsequently, the account became the primary channel through which all the funds were allegedly funneled to the main beneficiary, Nadikko General Suppliers, a company owned and controlled by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an assistant director of career skills/staff welfare of the board,” the EFCC said.

    The commission further revealed that Nura Lawal and his company, Nadikko General Suppliers, were used as conduits to launder the stolen funds. The misappropriated funds were traced to various bank accounts belonging to the suspects.

    The EFCC confirmed that the suspects are being held at its Kano Zonal Command and will face legal charges upon the conclusion of investigations.

  • WHO allocates 899,000 mpox vaccines to Nigeria, 8 African countries amid surges 

    WHO allocates 899,000 mpox vaccines to Nigeria, 8 African countries amid surges 

    An initial 899,000 vaccine doses have been allocated to Nigeria and 8 other countries across Africa that have been hit hard by the current mpox surge, the WHO and other health organizations said on Wednesday.

    The newly allocated vaccines will go to the Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.

    “The largest number of doses – 85% of the allocated vaccines – will go to the Democratic Republic of Congo as the most affected country,” global health agency said.
    The allocated vaccines are provided by Canada, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), the United States, and the European Union, including countries like France, Germany, Spain, and others, along with the EU’s Health Emergency Response Authority.

    The global health agency said this allocation to the 9 countries marks a significant step towards a coordinated and targeted deployment of vaccines to stop the mpox outbreaks.

    “For most countries, the rollout of mpox vaccines will be a new undertaking. Implementing targeted vaccination requires additional resources,” the statement reads.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak, driven largely by a surge of the clade Ib viral strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August.

    According to the latest WHO figures, opens new tab, there have been more than 46,000 confirmed and suspected cases of mpox in Africa this year, and more than 1,000 deaths in the continent due to viral illness.

    “This year, 19 countries in Africa have reported mpox, many of them newly affected by the viral disease,” it reports.

    Emphasizing on expand protection, the global health agency noted that to protect more people at risk in affected communities, additional doses of vaccine are available.

    “It targets individuals at high risk of severe disease based on local epidemiology in affected areas, focusing on regions with the highest incidence of mpox.

    “Special attention will be given to vulnerable populations, including those living with HIV, internally displaced persons, and refugees, due to their increased risk of severe outcomes,” WHO said.

    Vaccine availability
    Over 5.85 million vaccine doses are expected to be available to the Mpox Vaccines Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) by the end of 2024, including the nearly 900 000 allocated doses.

    The supply includes contributions from multiple nations and organizations, including 1.85 million dose donations of MVA-BN from the European Union, United States, and Canada, 500 000 doses of MVA-BN from Gavi utilizing the First Response Fund, 500 000 doses procured through UNICEF, as well as a further 3 million doses of the LC16 vaccine from Japan.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • WHO, Africa CDC support mpox vaccination in Nigeria, 16 other African countries amid short supply

    WHO, Africa CDC support mpox vaccination in Nigeria, 16 other African countries amid short supply

    Nigeria, along with 16 other African countries, to receive support from the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to enhance mpox vaccine preparedness amid a shortage of supplies.

    Experts from both organizations have pledged to support the development of targeted mpox vaccine preparedness and deployment plans to ensure the efficient use of available doses.

    This commitment was made during a meeting last week in Brazzaville, where country representatives and partners convened to discuss the way forward.
    In a statement on Sunday, the Africa CDC noted that, in anticipation of further mpox vaccine deliveries to the African region in the coming months, countries have requested assistance in identifying and mapping mpox hotspots based on local epidemiology, as well as in planning targeted vaccination strategies to reach populations at risk.

    More than 120 participants from 17 countries, along with partners from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and with support from Canada, took part in the Regional Mpox Vaccine Preparedness and Deployment Plan Development meeting held from November 5-7, 2024.
    “During the meeting, WHO and Africa CDC experts provided countries with the latest information on WHO recommendations and a set of tools to guide mpox vaccination plan development.

    “Both organizations have made concerted efforts to help countries acquire vaccines amid ongoing outbreaks. The WHO added the MVA-BN vaccine to its prequalification list on September 13, 2024, and established an Access and Allocation Mechanism to improve access to vaccines, treatments, and tests where they are most needed,” the statement added.

    The regional meeting focused on providing support to the following countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Ghana.
    Other countries included Guinea, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
    Urgency of targeted vaccine deployment
    “Given the ongoing difficulties with bringing the outbreak under control using traditional public health measures, the need for effective mpox vaccine preparedness and deployment plans has become urgent.

    “With the mpox vaccine supply constraints, countries will need to develop very targeted deployment plans, guided by local epidemiology,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

    Progress amid limited vaccine supply
    Mpox vaccine deployments in Africa have faced delays, and supply is expected to remain limited in the near- to medium-term.
    However, three countries in the region—Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria—recently received a total of 280,000 doses. Initial vaccination efforts have begun in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, with over 50,000 doses already administered.
    Commending collaborative efforts
    Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, praised the rapid and coordinated efforts across the continent, saying, “The swift actions of countries across Africa to roll out targeted mpox vaccination strategies reflect an extraordinary commitment to protecting those most vulnerable. Achieving this progress within a short window of time underscores the ambition and resilience of our member states to halt transmission and safeguard at-risk populations.

    “This momentum speaks to the power of collaboration across the continent and with our global partners. Africa CDC remains unwavering in its support, equipping countries with essential tools, guidance, and resources to drive impactful progress in controlling mpox.”

    Continued support and rising cases
    The statement emphasized that the WHO, Africa CDC, and other partners are working together in the Continental Incident Management Support Team to help countries prepare for and respond to mpox outbreaks, not only through vaccination but also in diagnostics, case management, risk communication, and community engagement.
    “The collaboration between agencies comes at a critical time, as mpox cases continue to rise on the continent, and new cases are reported outside Africa. As of November 6, over 11,000 laboratory-confirmed cases had been reported since the start of 2024. Four countries (South Africa, Guinea, Cameroon, and Gabon) moved to the ‘controlled phase’ in October 2024 after reporting no new cases for six weeks. Fourteen other countries are currently experiencing active outbreaks in Africa,” the statement concluded.

  • COP29: Islamic Development Bank grants $10m to WHO for Health Impact Investment

    COP29: Islamic Development Bank grants $10m to WHO for Health Impact Investment

    The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has committed a $10 million grant to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP), bolstering its mission to strengthen primary healthcare systems worldwide.

    Announced on November 12, 2024, during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, the grant highlights IsDB’s dedication to enhancing health resilience and climate adaptation in low- and middle-income countries.

    In a statement on Tuesday, IsDB described HIIP as a groundbreaking partnership among Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), WHO and nations seeking robust health and climate solutions.
    “This initiative focuses on the investment in essential, climate and crisis-resilient primary health care services and systems,” the bank stated, emphasizing the aim to reinforce the health system, especially in low- and middle-income countries and in underserved communities, ultimately aiming to foster resilience against emerging health threats and climate challenges.

    Fifteen countries are identified as part of phase one of the Health Impact Investment Platform: Burundi, Central African Republic, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia Guinea Bissau .

    Other countries included Jordan, Maldives Morocco, Senegal, South Sudan, The Gambia, Tunisia and Zambia.

    Supporting WHO’s technical assistance goals
    The $10 million grant will specifically support the technical assistance that WHO provides to countries around the world to assess investment needs and to design the most impactful health projects.

    “These projects will serve as the foundation for co-investment by the MDBs, ensuring that resources are directed toward areas with the greatest potential for positive health outcomes,”IsDB added.

    Over the next four years, WHO aims to strengthen climate resilience as part of its Fourteenth General Programme of Work, which includes implementing national climate adaptation plans and making 10,000 health facilities fully operational, including solar-powered electrification.

    Unlocking $500m in health investments across the region
    In addition to the $10 million grant, IsDB’s contribution is projected to unlock at least $500 million in health investments across the region.

    “This collective goal is part of a broader effort to mobilize a total of US$ 1.5 billion in concessional loans and grants, focusing on critical areas, this way addressing national health priorities.”

    Advancing health resilience, leadership statements
    IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser said, the Islamic Development Bank is proud to support the Health Impact Investment Platform as part of our unwavering commitment to advancing universal health coverage and resilience in our Member Countries.

    “These Multilateral Development Banks and WHO partnerships enable us to scale up primary health care where it is needed most, creating a stronger foundation to withstand future crises and addressing the pressing health challenges of today.”

    “Together, we are fostering a healthier, more equitable future for communities across the globe,” he said.

    WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that low- and middle-income countries need access to sustainable financing to strengthen their health systems through primary health care, to make them both more resilient to pandemics and more equitable in delivering essential health services.

    “The Health Impact Investment Platform combines WHO’s public health expertise and on-the-ground presence with the resources and financing expertise of the Islamic Development Bank and other multilateral development banks. By working together, we can make a significant difference in improving health outcomes and creating a healthier future for all.”

    The IsDB, along with its partners, remains committed to fostering partnerships that will advance healthcare and improve quality of life globally.

  • COP29: WHO director-general urges global readiness to tackle health threats

    COP29: WHO director-general urges global readiness to tackle health threats

    The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday urged countries to take proactive measures to prevent the recurrence of pandemics and the spread of new viruses.

    Addressing leaders, scientists, and health advocates at the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ghebreyesus said analysis and predictions regarding the probability of recurrence of pandemics and new viruses will play a pivotal role in the coming years,

    “Several measures are already being implemented in response,” he noted, adding that preventing the recurrence of such incidents is possible only if the countries take necessary preparatory measures in advance and act cautiously.
    Dr. Tedros also emphasized the intersection of climate change and public health, speaking on to the urgent need for ongoing monitoring and preventive action to protect communities from future emergencies. “It is vital to be prepared to prevent threats and minimize their consequences. At the same time, each of us must realize our responsibility,” he added.

    Health impacts of extreme weather and pollution
    In his address, Dr. Tedros challenged attendees by asking: “Why does climate change matter? Why should we care about rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather events? We care because, ultimately, climate change is about human health.”

    Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and air pollution, Dr. Tedros explained, are not merely environmental threats— but direct drivers of illness and premature death. Quoting Spanish President Pedro Sanchez, he said, “We care about rising sea levels and temperatures because they take land and homes, make our planet less habitable, contribute to cardiovascular disease, and fuel the spread of communicable diseases to new places.”

    “We care about extreme weather events because they claim lives, devastate livelihoods, and destroy infrastructure. We care about air pollution because it fills our lungs with poison. That’s why we say climate crisis a health crisis. This crisis is not sometime in the future—It’s right here and now, affecting us all,” Dr. Tedros added.

    Vulnerable populations bear the heaviest burden
    The WHO chief warned that the impacts of climate change are already being felt, with vulnerable populations, especially women and children, bearing the heaviest burdens. “Air pollution alone is responsible for seven million premature deaths each year,” Dr. Tedros revealed, adding that it’s a leading cause of under-five mortality.

    “Rising temperatures are expanding the reach of infectious diseases like malaria, and last year, people faced a record 50 additional days of health-threatening heat.”

    The statistics paint a grim picture. Over 20 million people were displaced by weather-related disasters last year, and the situation may worsen. By 2050, climate change is projected to push up to 158 million more women and girls into extreme poverty, outnumbering men and boys by 16 million in this vulnerable group.

    Climate action is self-preservation
    “Climate action is self-preservation; climate inaction is self-sabotage,” Dr. Tedros urged, emphasizing the urgency of climate action for the sake of children and future generations.

    He highlighted a WHO report released at COP29, which estimates that 1.9 million premature deaths could be prevented through five evidence-based interventions: early warning systems for extreme heat, solar-powered health facilities, improved water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), cleaner household energy, and updated fiscal policies on fossil fuel subsidies.

    Protecting People, Places, and the Planet
    According to Dr. Tedros, protecting people, places, and the planet is key. Protecting people means prioritizing equity and human rights while building climate-resilient health systems, he explained.

    He outlined WHO’s approach to addressing the climate health crisis through the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), which unites 90 countries and over 70 partners to drive national-level progress on health and climate resilience.
    Dr. Tedros also highlighted the importance of making cities healthier places to live, with cleaner energy, zero-emissions transportation, and sustainable infrastructure. “We need cities and communities that nurture health rather than harm it,” he stated.
    Finally, protecting the planet will require overhauling financial systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuel extraction and promote well-being for all, he argued, stressing that governance must prioritize the needs of the most affected communities.

    “There is no stronger argument for climate action than health,” Dr. Tedros concluded. “And there is no stronger motivation than the health of our children.”

  • Africa’s diabetes cases could increase to 54 million by 2045 – WHO warns

    Africa’s diabetes cases could increase to 54 million by 2045 – WHO warns

    The World Health Organization (WHO) says the number of people living with diabetes in Africa will likely rise to 54 million in 2045 unless urgent action is taken to mitigate it.

    WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said this on Thursday, in her message to celebrate World Diabetes Day with the theme” Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps.”

    According to Moeti, in Africa, more than 24 million adults are currently living with diabetes, half of whom remain undiagnosed.
    “Against a background of rising diabetes prevalence in Africa, complicated by multiple drivers including urbanization, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, the theme appropriately emphasizes the imperative of a collaborative approach to this ‘silent killer’.”

    “Without urgent interventions, predictions are that the number of people living with diabetes in the African Region will rise to 54 million by 2045, the highest projected increase globally,” she added.

    WHO’s commitment to reducing diabetes risks
    According to her, the underlying WHO commitment is to reduce risk and ensure that everyone diagnosed with diabetes has access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable, and quality treatment and care.

    She said that diabetes, a chronic lifelong disease, leads to uncontrolled blood sugar levels because the body can no longer produce or use the insulin it produces efficiently.

    Moeti said if left untreated, diabetes could lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure, lower-limb amputation, and eye disease that could result in blindness.

    “This poses a significant dual health and economic burden, including catastrophic spending by individuals to control their disease,” she said.

    Africa’s low investment in diabetes care
    “Compounding the challenge is that Africa has the lowest investment rate in diabetes care worldwide, at only 1 percent of the region’s health expenditure,” Moeti pointed out.

    She noted that health systems are also traditionally designed to deal with acute, infectious diseases, without sufficient attention paid to chronic diseases like diabetes.

    According to her, managing diabetes requires a sustained effort to balance physical health activity, healthy diet, and mental well-being. “WHO in the African region is committed to holistic solutions, including proper nutrition, access to the requisite essential medicines, and mental health support.”

    “Equally crucial are comprehensive prevention strategies to address risk factors including obesity, poor diet, and physical activity, combined with community engagement to ensure good support systems and reduced stigma,” she added.

    Significant step forward in diabetes care
    The director mentioned that one important step forward was African member States’ endorsement of WHO’s framework for the Implementation of the Global Diabetes Compact (GDC) in Africa during the Seventy-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in August.

    “Focused specifically on the challenge of integrating diabetes care into broader health systems in a multi-sectoral approach, it provides a roadmap for countries to strengthen diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and care, especially at the primary health care level,” she said.

    Call for collective action
    “On this day, I urge individuals, communities, governments, health workers, policymakers, and civil society organisations to join hands and act now,” Moeti concluded.

    She said: “For individuals, prioritise a healthy lifestyle, and if you’re already living with diabetes, have regular medical check-ups.”

    According to her, communities can play their role by creating supportive environments that promote healthy living, reduce stigma, and provide access to affordable diabetes care and education.

    “For governments, we commit our full support to your efforts to implement policies that enhance access to essential medicines, strengthen primary healthcare systems, and foreground investment in diabetes prevention and care.”

    “Strengthening diabetes control in the African region demands that we address key gaps, including myths and misconceptions about diabetes, fragile primary health care systems, and insufficient capacity and training of health care workers,” Moeti said.

    Moeti concluded, “Together, let us all commit to breaking down the barriers and addressing the gaps, by raising awareness, spreading knowledge, and creating lasting change for everyone in Africa affected by diabetes.”