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AMA, Health

Fighting lymphatic filariasis in Madagascar: Lives transformed and hope restored

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Geneva, Switzerland, 30 January 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-Julien Ranjaivonirina, a 63‑year‑old farmer living in the Fitovinany region, smiles as he reflects on his journey. Standing in front of his wooden house, he recounts how the hydrocele he had for several years limited his movements and prevented him from working as he wished. Today, after receiving care, he is gradually regaining his pace and daily activities. “It feels like I’ve been given a second life; I can finally resume my days as before.”

For many people in Madagascar, lymphatic filariasis remains a difficult disease to live with on a daily basis. Transmitted by mosquitoes, it disrupts the circulation of lymph and can cause persistent swelling known as lymphedema. In severe cases, the swelling can become severe and the skin may thicken. This advanced form is commonly known as elephantiasis. In some men, as in Julien’s case, the disease leads to hydrocele—a swelling of the scrotum caused by liquid accumulation. This condition can be extremely debilitating and lead to complications, making simple daily tasks challenging.

Despite major progress, lymphatic filariasis is still present in several regions of the country. In recent years, the number of endemic districts has significantly declined, from 96 between 2018 and 2020 to 87 in 2023, four of which are now in the post‑treatment phase. The 2023 national survey recorded 15 303 cases of lymphoedema and 14 069 cases of hydrocele. In the Fitovinany region, where Julien lives, the situation remains notable: in Manakara Atsimo, 2922 cases of lymphoedema were reported, while Vohipeno and Ikongo each still count several hundred cases. These figures illustrate the ongoing burden of the disease on families and rural communities, who already face numerous challenges.

To address these persistent issues, strengthening the health system and providing technical support remain essential. Since 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been working closely with the Ministry of Public Health to accelerate progress against lymphatic filariasis. This support is built on two pillars: interrupting transmission through mass drug administration and managing people already affected, particularly those living with lymphoedema and hydrocele. Thanks to this collaboration, Madagascar achieved full national coverage for the first time in 2023, followed by surveys to assess the effectiveness of interventions. In 2025, patient care was strengthened in 17 districts through additional training, supplies and follow‑up.

As part of this effort, WHO helped strengthen medical capacities by training 348 health professionals between September and December 2025, including 17 surgeons specialized in hydrocele management. These training sessions improved the quality of surgical procedures, enhanced patient safety and expanded access to specialized care in the most affected regions. In total, 61 people received surgery related to lymphatic filariasis in October 2025 in the districts of Tamatave (22 patients) and Manakara (39 patients).

Dr Yvette Ramanantsoa, head of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) at the Regional Directorate of Public Health in Fitovinany, highlights the importance of the response. “The fight against elephantiasis is an investment in human dignity and development. Elimination is possible, but it requires collective and sustained commitment.”

On the ground, this commitment translates into concrete actions: regular campaigns, community mobilization, active screening and free surgical interventions. Community health workers walk long distances to inform, reassure and guide patients, helping reduce stigma and improving access to care.

For WHO, the vision is equally clear. “It is together, hand in hand with the ministry and communities, that we move forward so that no one has to suffer in silence,” says Dr Patricia Rasoamihanta‑Martin, NTD programme lead at the WHO office in Madagascar. She emphasizes that beyond treatment, success depends on active community participation. “Given the severe consequences of this disease, particularly in rural areas, it is essential for everyone to understand the importance of prevention, participation in treatment campaigns and access to care. Community engagement and the sustained commitment of all actors are indispensable.”

Looking ahead, the next step is to continue progressing toward the elimination of lymphatic filariasis by 2030, consolidating achievements and ensuring their sustainability within the health system.

Progress is particularly visible among surgical teams. Thanks to WHO‑supported training, surgeons are seeing immediate benefits for patients. At the Regional Hospital Centre of Mananjary, Dr Rynah Rakotomamonjy, involved in patient care since 2008, explains that these sessions have improved surgical techniques, reduced complications and ensured smoother recovery. “After the operation, many express a sense of liberation; they feel they can live a more normal life again, without shame, and it feels like a fresh start.”

In Manakara, Dr Mampionondray Razafindratovonimanana, head of the surgery department, shares similar observations. He describes sometimes complex cases but notes significant improvements: reduced swelling, restored mobility, return to work and decreased stigma.

These advances directly transform the lives of affected individuals. Behind each intervention are personal journeys marked by waiting, doubt and hope of regaining a normal life. And it is in the villages that the impact of these surgical procedures becomes most visible: where patients regain autonomy, confidence and the ability to resume activities they had long abandoned.

In a nearby village in Fitovinany, 60‑year‑old Victor Ratovonirina provides a powerful example of the long path many patients must take before receiving care. Also a farmer, he explains that he lived with the disease for nearly ten years, initially believing it was linked to an injury sustained during a football match. Gradually, he lost strength and mobility and the disease eventually affected his social life and ability to work. Informed at the health centre that treatment was available, he registered and later underwent free surgery. “This operation changed my life: I feel relieved, I’m regaining my strength and I can look forward to returning to the fields,” he says.

For Julien too, the change is profound. Before his surgery, he struggled to work and felt diminished. After finally receiving the care he needed, he enjoys a simpler, lighter daily life. Sitting on a bench surrounded by his family, his gaze fixed on his field— a symbol of his restored routine—he confides: “Now I feel reborn, and I’m confident that tomorrow will be even better.” For the communities of Fitovinany and beyond, hope is no longer a distant promise: it now takes the form of transformed lives, regained abilities and restored dignity.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Health Organisation

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AMA, Health

Senegal transforms the childbirth experience through WHO‑recommended care models

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Geneva, Switzerland, 20 January 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-In less than a decade, Senegal has reduced its maternal mortality rate by more than 50%, from 392 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2015 to 153 in 2023. Behind this progress, however, a more complex reality persisted: in many health facilities, women continued to experience childbirth marked by fear, lack of information and impersonal health care.

Tina, 32, a mother of three, remembers her first two deliveries as moments filled with anxiety: limited explanations, minimal communication with health staff and a feeling of being alone in the face of pain. “They were very difficult births for me. After my first experience, I carried that fear with me during every pregnancy,” she says.

Tina’s experience is far from unique. Her story reflects the reality faced by many women in Senegal, despite the significant progress made in maternal health outcomes.

To address these challenges and ensure that every birth is a positive experience, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene (MSHP), with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and a major donor, introduced the Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) initiative. This approach aims to place dignity, emotional well‑being and women’s choices at the centre of health care practices, going beyond survival alone.

Respectful Maternity Care is built on three essential pillars: birth preparedness for pregnant women; use of the Labour Management Guide by health workers and psychological support for women throughout pregnancy and during childbirth.

“The goal goes far beyond survival,” explains Dr Ousmane Dieng, Maternal and Newborn Health Expert at the WHO Country Office in Senegal. “It is about offering every woman a positive experience in which she feels heard, informed and fully involved in her childbirth.”

At the Yeumbeul Reference Health Centre, in the suburbs of Dakar, the RMC approach has been implemented for two years. Every other Wednesday, women who are six months pregnant or more meet with midwives for birth preparation sessions. These sessions follow a comprehensive curriculum covering the biological aspects of pregnancy, danger signs, simulations of childbirth positions, breathing techniques, mobility exercises and newborn care.

Following a pilot phase conducted between 2019 and 2023 at the Yeumbeul reference hospital, the initiative has been scaled up since November 2023 to all health facilities in the health district of the Yeumbeul North and South municipalities. To support effective implementation, 45 midwives in the district have been trained in this approach and more than 430 women have received support.

For her third pregnancy, Tina participated in the programme. Aware of her previous experiences, the midwives reassured her and taught her techniques to better manage pain, understand the different stages of labour, and prepare mentally for childbirth. Sitting in the postnatal ward of the Yeumbeul hospital, Tina gently cradles her newborn as she recounts her story. “During labour, I was assisted by the same midwife who had guided me during the preparation sessions. Together, we practiced the exercises again and it allowed me to experience the birth of my son differently—with more confidence and calm,” she says.

This birth‑preparation approach, combined with the use of the new Labour Management Guide, helps reduce preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. The guide simplifies the monitoring of labour and enables early detection of complications, while promoting a more humane approach to care. WHO has supported the training of 2700 midwives in its use across the country. 

“Before, midwives were very focused on complex charts, sometimes at the expense of continuous support,” acknowledges Dr Alassane Tall, Head of the Gynecology Unit at Yeumbeul Hospital. “Today, the tool is more intuitive and allows more time for listening to women and adapting care accordingly.” 

To support this shift, WHO has also assisted in the adaptation and dissemination of a complementary module on stress management for midwives, with 235 health professionals trained. Beyond technical procedures, the emphasis is placed on communication, adaptation to each woman’s needs and the well‑being of midwives, thereby strengthening the quality of care. 

“The preparation sessions with pregnant women allow us to better anticipate their needs and build a relationship of trust by integrating listening and emotional support into care, beyond technical acts alone,” says Gnima Sonko, Senior Midwife at the Yeumbeul Health Centre, trained with WHO support. “The modules focused on strengthening our own mental health help us work with greater peace of mind, which directly improves the quality of support we provide to pregnant women.”

This integrated approach is transforming the childbirth experience. “Every woman deserves to experience childbirth in dignity and safety. This is a fundamental right, not a privilege,” stresses Dr Michel Yao, WHO Representative in Senegal. “Collaboration between the Ministry of Health, health districts and WHO is essential to scaling up these good practices.”

For Tina, the change was tangible: “My baby was born in joy, not fear. I am leaving with a light heart.” A testimony that shows how humane health care transforms lives — one pregnancy, one birth, one family at a time.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on World Health Organisation

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AMA, Health

Zimbabwe strengthens integrated cancer services to improve women’s health

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Geneva, Switzerland, 19 November 2025 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/-Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to improve the prevention, early detection and treatment of breast and cervical cancers by integrating cancer and chronic disease services into primary health care. This approach aims to bring essential health services closer to communities and ensure women have equitable access to quality care.

Cervical cancer accounts for almost 41% of all cancers among women in the country, followed by breast cancer at 13%, according to Zimbabwe’s National Cancer Registry. To address the burden, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, is implementing measures to strengthen integrated cancer services across the health system.

In July 2025, WHO handed over medical equipment worth US$ 20 000 to the MoHCC to support service delivery at the primary health level. The specialized equipment can be used to screen for noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes and hypertension.

Building on this support, MoHCC and WHO held training of trainers sessions in August 2025 for health professionals from Mashonaland West and Matabeleland South provinces.

“Many cancers are preventable. Let us spread the word and let all women know about it,” says Esther Ngaru, one of the trainees and reproductive health officers at MOHCC.

Twenty-five health professionals were trained on integrating the management of breast and cervical cancers, mental health and chronic diseases, as well as   coordinated provision of prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and care services.  

The trainers are spreading this knowledge to frontline health workers to strengthen prevention, screening and treatment at community level.

“Thanks to this training, our screening will be more effective than ever,” says Audrey Musorowembudzi, a nurse at Hurungwe Rural Health Centre. “At my facility, I will share this knowledge with my colleagues so that no woman is left behind.”

In Karoi, a town in Mashonaland West Province, seven primary health care nurses and village health workers have already benefited from these trainings.  

Village health worker Angeline Mukusa from Chigumbura Village says she will use the lessons learned to raise awareness in her community. “Cancer is a major concern where I live,” she says. “I will encourage early detection and HPV vaccination for girls. Cancer is treatable if detected early and this will save many lives.”

According to the district’s medical officer Dr Munyaradzi Chidaushe this approach is already improving service delivery. “This work is transformative. Village health workers can identify and refer women suspected of breast or cervical cancer more easily. Prevention is key to protecting communities,” he says.

These activities are part of the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS) project, led by the WHO Regional Office for Africa with support from Roche. Implemented in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Zimbabwe, the project aims to strengthen integrated breast and cervical cancer services within primary health care. Zimbabwe was selected because its established cervical cancer programme provides a foundation for integrating additional services for cancer and chronic diseases.

“Through the commitment of health workers, the leadership of MOHCC, and the support of WHO and partners, Zimbabwe is taking a decisive step towards reducing the burden of breast and cervical cancer,” says Dr Desta Tiruneh WHO Representative in Zimbabwe. “These efforts bring the country closer to a future where no woman dies from a preventable or treatable cancer and where health systems truly serve communities with equity and compassion.”

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

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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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Lifestyle

Sudanese midwives deliver hope amid war and ruin

Maravi Post Reporter

In war-ravaged Khartoum, midwives like Hawaa Ismael are risking their lives to deliver babies and care for mothers despite Sudan’s crumbling health care system.

With fewer than 25% of medical facilities still functioning due to the ongoing conflict, pregnant women are forced to walk for hours, or even days, to find care. Some never make it in time. “The hardest case I faced was delivering a woman in a car,” says Ismael, a midwife at the UNFPA-supported Karari Health Centre. “We were stuck. She had complications. I’ve cried many times especially when women camn’t reach us.”

Since fighting erupted, over 750,000 people have received reproductive health services in Sudan, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Yet recent funding cuts threaten to leave nearly half a million women in Sudan and neighboring countries without maternal or gender-based violence support services.

Despite the danger, Ismael continues to deliver up to four babies a day. She visits homes, crossing frontlines in what she calls a mission of necessity: “We examine pregnant women, guide them, and do monthly follow-ups.”

The war has displaced over 13 million people and claimed at least 24,000 lives. Human rights organizations say the conflict, marked by famine, mass rape, and ethnic violence, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

For women in Sudan, midwives are often their only lifeline.

Source: Africanews

Lifestyle

Malawi: Witchcraft affecting health development in Mvera Synold hospital

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Mvula
Project Coordinator for Khoma Synold hospital and ISABEL project Yoas Mvula in Jacket interacting with community in Mvera

Witchcraft accusations between health attendants and people surrounding the hospital in Mvera Khoma Synold health Centre have negatively affected the service delivery and health development projects, implemented through the Improved Service for Aids and basic health Care through empowerment and local democracy project (ISABEL). Continue reading Malawi: Witchcraft affecting health development in Mvera Synold hospital →