Borders divide jurisdictions, but they do not divide risk. At #UNGA81, I was pleased to join leaders and partners at the Presidential Dialogue on High-Threat Pathogens. I spoke about the need to make preparedness a permanent part of national development and work together across borders. The New York Call to Action provides an important roadmap for putting this into practice. Preparedness must be built, sustained and funded, with standing arrangements that connect institutions and communities across borders and turn fragmented data into preparedness intelligence.

Had a good meeting with Mr Maturin Tchoumi of @Roche_Africa on our partnership through the Women Integrated Cancer Services (WICS). Grateful for the continued support in scaling up WICS to 8 additional countries, multi-partner engagement and improving access to breast and cervical cancer care across Africa.

Across the African Region, 178,000 women die each year from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and one million newborns are lost. Most of these deaths can be prevented with care we already know how to provide. At the SHE RISES high-level side event at #UNGA81, we discussed women’s leadership in maternal and child health. Women must have a stronger voice where decisions are made, but representation alone will not save lives. Leadership must be matched by delivery. Political commitment must reach the facility where a woman gives birth, with skilled care, essential supplies and referral systems that work.

Productive discussion with Dr Peter Nsubuga of @MastercardFdn today in New York. I thank the Foundation for its commitment to expanding health and economic opportunities for Africa’s young people, including through investments that strengthen health systems and create pathways to dignified employment. We welcome the Foundation’s interest in significantly scaling up support for community health workers across Africa and look forward to deepening our collaboration to advance #HealthForAll.

For a patient in acute distress, a health system is measured in minutes. Emergency, critical and operative care is not a luxury. It is a core function of every resilient health system. Speaking at the #UNGA81 side event on integrated emergency, critical and operative care, I urged increased investment in nationally owned systems that can deliver lifesaving care at scale.

Malaria remains one of Africa’s greatest public health challenges. The WHO African Region accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of deaths. At #UNGA81, I joined Heads of State and partners to call for a financing push to match the Big Push against Malaria. With stronger domestic investment, financing aligned with national priorities and action across sectors, we can put malaria elimination back within reach.

No health decision in our Region should be taken in the dark. The Africa Health Security Index, a tool for understanding and strengthening epidemic and pandemic preparedness across the continent, was launched on the sidelines of #UNGA81. It provides valuable evidence on where capacity has improved and where serious exposure persists, supporting country decisions on where action is most urgent. Africa has shown that preparedness can improve.

Good exchange with my brother, @DirOPSPAHO, Director of @pahowho and WHO Regional Director for the Americas, on the margins of #UNGA81. Africa and the Americas share common health priorities and challenges. We see an opportunity to strengthen ties between our regions and learn from each other as we advance our health agendas. Together, for #HealthForAll.

Good exchange today with @MSuzman, CEO of @gatesfoundation, on the sidelines of #UNGA81. Grateful for the Foundation’s longstanding partnership with @WHOAFRO and its support in the efforts to improve health across Africa. We’re committed to continuing our collaboration to advance Africa’s health priorities and expand access to quality health services across the continent.

Pleased to meet Dr @jarottingen, CEO of @wellcometrust, in New York today. Grateful for Wellcome’s continued partnership with @WHOAFRO. We discussed strengthening mental health systems and access to care in Africa, as well as the Bundibugyo virus disease response. We also discussed opportunities to strengthen our longer-term collaboration across areas of shared priority. We look forward to deepening this collaboration in support of better health outcomes across Africa.

Across Africa, access to care for severe chronic conditions should not depend on a person’s income or proximity to a capital city. On the sidelines of #UNGA81, I addressed the Biannual Meeting of the @NCDIpoverty Network High-Level Advisory Group on the implementation of PEN-Plus and bringing quality care closer to communities through first-level referral hospitals. Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia are translating political commitment into national plans with targets and budgets. Our task now is to support countries as they expand services and turn these plans into reliable services for people living with severe chronic conditions.

Children under five face a higher risk of death from Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus than other age groups. Their condition can deteriorate rapidly, requiring specialised paediatric care and close monitoring. @WHO and partners are working with health authorities and clinicians to strengthen care for children and improve their chances of survival. Read more: afro.who.int/countries/democ…

Africa does not need another layer of health financing initiatives. We need a better way to turn country priorities into sound investments. At #UNGA81, I joined a strategic dialogue on the next global health financing architecture. Governments, @WHO, development banks and partners must align earlier around country priorities, match financing to country needs, support implementation and ensure countries lead decisions on what should be financed and how.

À la rentrée scolaire de septembre 2026, la vigilance s’est renforcée à Luofu après la confirmation d’un cas d'#Ebola à #Kayna🇨🇩. Avec une dizaine d’autres responsables scolaires, Sœur Claudine a intensifié les échanges afin de mieux prévenir les risques. afro.who.int/fr/countries/de…

Africa carries the world’s heaviest hepatitis B burden, accounting for nearly 70% of all new hepatitis B infections globally in 2024. At the UN Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis meeting, I called for political commitment to be translated into action: expanding access to vaccination, testing and treatment, and ensuring African countries have a strong voice in the political decisions that can change the course of hepatitis. #UNGA81

Today, @WHO and @KSRelief signed a US$5.3 million agreement on the margins of #UNGA81 to strengthen cholera preparedness and response across the Lake Chad Basin, supporting Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. This support will strengthen early detection, rapid response and access to life-saving treatment, helping protect more than 6 million people across the five countries. We appreciate #KSrelief’s continued support for health and vulnerable populations across the African Region. We look forward to building on this partnership to advance #HealthForAll.

Tonight, our @WHOAFRO building in #Brazzaville lights up in orange for #WorldPatientSafetyDay. We join the rest of the world in calling for safer, people-centred care and better protection for people living with noncommunicable diseases throughout their health care journey. Safe care for life!

"We are seeing progress in some places, but also have some concerns." WHO Africa's emergencies director Dr Marie Roselyne Belizaire says healthcare workers battling against the virus need more PPE and beds for patients ⬇️ 🔗 trib.al/IEerZiI

For millions living with #NCDs, care may involve years of consultations, tests, medicines, referrals and treatment. Every interaction with the health system should improve health, not expose patients to avoidable harm. This #WorldPatientSafetyDay, I urge governments, health workers, partners, patients and families to make safety an integral part of care for everyone living with NCDs. who.int/campaigns/world-pati…