Tag Archives: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Kenya achieves elimination of human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness as a public health problem

2025-08-12 MaraviPost

Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC)
Community screening for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and monitoring of local populations in Lambwe Valley, Homa Bay County, Kenya.

GENEVA, Switzerland, August 12th 2025-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Kenya as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness as a public health problem, making it the tenth country to reach this important milestone. HAT is the second neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in Kenya: the country was certified free of Guinea worm disease in 2018.

“I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Kenya joins the growing ranks of countries freeing their populations of human African trypanosomiasis. This is another step towards making Africa free of neglected tropical diseases”.

HAT is a vector-borne disease caused by the blood parasite Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of tsetse flies that have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals. Rural populations dependent on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting are most at risk of exposure.

As the name indicates, HAT is transmitted only on the African continent. The disease exists in two forms, gambiense and rhodesiense. The rhodesiense form (r-HAT), which is found in eastern and southern Africa, is the only one present in Kenya. It is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and progresses rapidly, invading multiple organs including the brain. Without treatment, it is fatal within weeks.

Kenya’s progress

“This validation marks a major public health milestone for Kenya, as we celebrate the elimination of a deadly disease in our country. The achievement will not only protect our people but also pave the way for renewed economic growth and prosperity,” said Dr Aden Duale, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health. “This follows many years of dedication, hard work and collaboration”.

The first cases of HAT in Kenya were detected in the early 20^th century. Since then, Kenya has engaged in consistent control activities, without indigenous new cases reported for over 10 years. The last autochthonous case was detected in 2009, and the last two exported cases, infected in the Masai Mara National Reserve, were detected in 2012.

Recently, Kenya strengthened HAT surveillance in 12 health facilities in six historically endemic counties to act as sentinel sites. They were equipped with diagnostic tools and had their clinical personnel trained on diagnostic procedures, including the most sensitive and practical tests for r-HAT. The country also actively monitors the control and surveillance of tsetse flies and animal trypanosomiasis, both within and beyond the historical HAT endemic areas, supported by the national veterinary health authorities and the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC). These activities and the related data provide supplementary backing to the claim of HAT elimination as a public health problem.

“This key milestone reflects Kenya’s efforts and commitment over many years, as a collaboration between national and county governments, national research institutions, development partners and affected communities,” said Dr Patrick Amoth, EBS, Director General Health, Ministry of Health, Kenya. “The country remains fully committed to sustain the quality of care and surveillance in line with WHO’s recommendations”.

Supported by WHO and partners, including FIND, Kenya’s HAT elimination programme will now implement a post-validation surveillance plan to detect any potential resurgence or reintroduction of transmission. WHO continues to support ongoing monitoring in previously affected areas and maintains a stock of medicines to ensure rapid treatment of possible future cases, thanks to donations from Bayer AG and Sanofi.

“This success was made possible by the Ministry of Health’s leadership, the dedication of health workers in areas at risk and the support from key partners,” said Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO Representative to Kenya. “WHO is proud to have contributed to this achievement and encourages all stakeholders to remain involved in post-validation monitoring”.

Progress in global HAT elimination

A total of 57 countries have eliminated at least one NTD. Of these, 10 (including Kenya) have successfully eliminated HAT as a public health problem. The other countries that have reached this milestone are Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of WHO.

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AMA, Health

WHO urges action on hepatitis, announcing hepatitis D as carcinogenic

2025-07-30 MaraviPost

Yoshi Shimiz
Health workers from Airag soum’s Family Health Centre visit a nomadic herder family in Dornogovi, Mongolia, to provide primary care and administer HBsAg tests for chronic hepatitis B.

GENEVA, Switzerland, 30 July 2025-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- As we mark World Hepatitis Day, WHO calls on governments and partners to urgently accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and reduce liver cancer deaths.

“Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer. Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Viral hepatitis – types A, B, C, D, and E – are major causes of acute liver infection. Among these only hepatitis B, C, and D can lead to chronic infections that significantly increase the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Yet most people with hepatitis don’t know they’re infected. Types B, C, and D affect over 300 million people globally and cause more than 1.3 million deaths each year, mainly from liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Hepatitis D now classified as carcinogenic

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans, just like hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis D, which only affects individuals infected with the hepatitis B, is associated with a two- to six-fold higher risk of liver cancer compared to hepatitis B alone. This reclassification marks a critical step in global efforts to raise awareness, improve screening, and expand access to new treatments for hepatitis D.

“WHO has published guidelines on testing and diagnosis of Hepatitis B and D in 2024, and is actively following the clinical outcomes from innovative treatments for hepatitis D,” said Dr Meg Doherty, incoming Director of Science for Health at WHO.

Treatment with oral medicine can cure hepatitis C within 2 to 3 months and effectively suppress hepatitis B with life-long therapy. Treatment options for hepatitis D are evolving. However, the full benefit of reducing liver cirrhosis and cancer deaths can only be realized through urgent action to scale up and integrate hepatitis services – including vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment – into national health systems.

Latest data and progress

Encouragingly, the majority of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have strategic plans on hepatitis in place and progress in national hepatitis responses is increasing:

in 2025, the number of countries reporting national hepatitis action plans increased from 59 to 123;
as of 2025, 129 countries have adopted policies for hepatitis B testing among pregnant women, up from 106 reported in 2024; and
147 countries have introduced the hepatitis B birth dose vaccination, an increase from 138 in 2022.

However, critical gaps remain in service coverage and outcomes, as stated in the 2024 Global Hepatitis Report:testing and treatment coverage remain critically low; only 13% of people with hepatitis B and 36% with hepatitis C had been diagnosed by 2022;treatment rates were even lower – 3% for hepatitis B and 20% for hepatitis C – well below the 2025 targets of 60% diagnosed and 50% treated; andintegration of hepatitis services remains uneven: 80 countries have incorporated hepatitis services into primary health care; 128 into HIV programmes and just 27 have integrated hepatitis C services into harm reduction centres.

The next challenge will be to scale up the implementation of prevention, testing and treatment coverage. Achieving WHO’s 2030 targets could save 2.8 million lives and prevent 9.8 million new infections. With declining donor support, countries must prioritize domestic investment, integrated services, better data, affordable medicines, and ending stigma.

Forging new partnerships

To mark World Hepatitis Day, WHO is partnering with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance to strengthen global and local advocacy. This year’s campaign “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down” demands action to confront the rising toll of liver cancer linked to chronic hepatitis infections. It also calls for decisive steps to dismantle persistent barriers – from stigma to funding gaps – that continue to slow progress in prevention, testing, and treatment.

Through a joint webinar and coordinated outreach, the partnership underscores the vital role of civil society and community leadership, alongside governments, in sustaining momentum and accelerating progress toward hepatitis elimination.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of WHO.

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Health

2023 marked by achievements and ‘avoidable suffering’: WHO chief

2023-12-26 Maravi Post Reporter

The past year saw significant milestones and challenges in global public health but also immense and avoidable suffering, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

Reflecting on 2023, which also marked the UN agency’s 75^th anniversary, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted key achievements and set out objectives for the coming year.

“In May, I declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern. This marked a turning point for the world following three years of crisis, pain, and loss for people everywhere. I am glad to see that life has returned to normal,” he said in a video message.

New vaccines

Dr. Tedros also pointed to other achievements, such as the end of the mpox outbreak as a global health emergency and the approval of new vaccines for dengue, meningitis and malaria which threaten millions worldwide, mainly the most vulnerable.

Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Belize achieved malaria-free status, and progress was made in eliminating some tropical diseases in various countries, including sleeping sickness in Ghana; trachoma in Benin, Mali, and Iraq, and lymphatic filariasis in Bangladesh and Lao.

“The path to eradicating another vaccine-preventable disease – polio – has reached its last mile. Thirty more countries introduced the HPV vaccine, advancing our goal to eliminate cervical cancer,” he said.

Climate impacts

2023 also saw increased attention to the health impacts of the climate crisis, he added. Health issues featured prominently on the agenda of the COP28 conference in Dubai, where a global declaration on climate and health was issued, emphasizing the intersection of environmental and public health challenges.

Additionally, in September, Heads of State at the United Nations General Assembly committed to advancing universal health coverage, ending tuberculosis, and protecting the world from future pandemics.

“Each of these achievements, and many more, demonstrated the power of science, solutions and solidarity to protect and promote health,” he emphasized.

‘Immense and avoidable suffering’

Tedros also acknowledged the “immense and avoidable suffering and threats to health” over the past year.

He said the barbaric attacks by Hamas on Israel on 7 October left around 1,300 people dead and over 200 taken hostage, while reports of gender-based violence and mistreatment of hostages were deplorable.

The devastating attack on Gaza that followed has killed more than 20,000 people – mainly women and children – and injured over 53,000, he continued.

No peace, no health

The WHO chief expressed deep concern over the impact on healthcare infrastructure, noting that “as of 22 December, only nine of 36 health facilities in Gaza were partially functional, with only four offering the most basic of services in the north.” He once again called for an immediate ceasefire.

The global landscape was also marked by conflict and insecurity in countries such as Sudan, Ukraine, Ethiopia and Myanmar.

“Without peace, there is no health, and without health, there can be no peace,” said Tedros.

He noted that in addition to conflict-related challenges, issues like poverty, lack of access to clean water and hygiene, contributed to the spread of infectious diseases. The resurgence of cholera, with over 40 outbreaks worldwide, raised particular concern.

Looking ahead

Looking to 2024, the WHO chief highlighted the opportunity to address gaps in global pandemic preparedness.

He said Governments, are currently negotiating the first-ever global agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration, cooperation, and equity in responding to pandemics of the future.

“The Pandemic Accord and plans to strengthen the International Health Regulations represent monumental actions by governments to create a safer and healthier world,” Tedros affirmed.

The WHO Director-General concluded his message by expressing gratitude to health workers, partners and colleagues, underscoring the shared journey to achieve Health for All.

UN Health News

Opinion

Sundays with Cedrick: All People Everywhere in The World including Malawi Deserve Their Leaders

2021-05-02 Cedrick Ngalande

With Cedrick Ngalande, PhD

1994 was a year of change. For the first time ever, Malawians went to the polls to choose their leader. By then, the country had been independent for 30 years, and had been ruled by one president all those years. With the end of the cold war, pro-west but undemocratic leaders like Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda were now under pressure to open up democratically.

It was an interesting time, a time of change. As a very young boy, an avid reader of Boma Lathu magazine, I was very fascinated by Dr. Kamuzu Banda. I thought it would be a mistake to vote him out of power. I remember a conversation I had with my uncle, a supporter of Bakili Muluzi. I asked him why he thought Muluzi would make a good president. You see, as a candidate, Mr. Muluzi never really told anybody how he planned to transform the country. My uncle did not seem to care about that. Bakili loves the people, he insisted.

The next time my uncle visited our home, Muluzi had been president for more than a year. The country was struggling; basic necessities were scare and extremely expensive. My uncle came to ask for financial help from my parents. During our conversation, I asked him whether it was a mistake to vote for Muluzi. His answer was quite unbelievable. “What does bad economy and lack of food have to do Muluzi being president?” These are just signs of the end of the world, he concluded.

It dawned on me that my uncle, genuinely, did not see any connection between the performance of the country and the people who ran it. You cannot blame him. If you go back to our history and traditions, you will notice that our ancestors shared the same philosophy. Chiefs, kings and rules were not really held responsible for the economic welfare of the people. That was God’s responsibility. It was God who brought the rains. If the rains came at the right time and in right amount, you would have a bumper harvest. Hence, good economy. If God did not bring rain in time, or if a village wizard prevented the rains from failing, the economy would suffer. This was not the fault of the leaders. Leaders were there just to facilitate unity and harmony among the people.

Today in 2021, we are far removed from our primitive traditions. But some things have remained the same. The tendency not to associate people with the performance of entities under their leadership still continues. This does not only happen on the presidential level; it also happens in many government departments. Oftentimes when vacancies are announced we are eager to support people we know, or those who come from our families or tribes. We throw our support behind these ‘homeboys’ even in cases where prior record of incompetency or government work politization is quite clear.

When I look back to the first multiparty election, I always wonder why those who wanted change did not go for Chakufwa Chihana. By all accounts, he was the most qualified of the opposition candidates. He was fearless; he had led multinational organizations; and he had backing of the crucial donor community. Could it be that the majority did not vote for him because they were more concerned about tribe than promise of good job performance?

Muluzi’s leadership, even though disastrous economically, was good for Malawi because of his unique ability to navigate the problems that came along with the new multiparty dispensation. But that is not the point here. The point is that he never came out with a solid manifesto and people still voted him into office.

The tendency to pick or support leaders based solely on tribe or relationships is not just Malawian. One can argue, it is African. Recently, when the United States government expressed concerns that the leadership of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at World Health Organization (WHO) might have been comprised during the advent of COVID-19, Africans quickly closed ranks. “You know he is from Ethiopia, so we have to protect him.” It was not important that his leadership might have failed to ask tough questions on the origins of COVID-19, a disease that would later victimize a lot of Africans. No. The only thing that was important was that Dr Tedros was from Africa and he had to be protected at any cost.

It has been said that all people everywhere in the world deserve their leaders. It is a harsh statement considering that some nations are reeling under autocratic regimes and others, corrupt leadership. Nevertheless, there is a lot of truth in that saying.

Health

WHO considers anti-TB drug resistance threats to progress made; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus elected Director

2017-05-24 Maravi Post correspondent

There is no doubt that groundbreaking progress has been made in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in the past two decades, but it might be prudent to review, if we are winning the fight in order to #endTB by 2030.

Do we slip backwards when we fail to prevent every single transmission of new TB infection or when a new person becomes resistant to anti-TB drugs? Are we sliding farther away from our #endTB goalpost, when we fail to ensure early diagnosis, effective treatment and successful cure? Continue reading WHO considers anti-TB drug resistance threats to progress made; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus elected Director →