Source: World Health Organization - Uganda |

Twenty years of service and still counting: Patrick Wokorach’s journey with World Health Organization (WHO)

At just 27, Wokorach joined WHO as a Program Assistant under the Northern Uganda Recovery Program, a role that aligned perfectly with his personal mission: to help rebuild his then war-torn homeland

In 2005, a young man from northern Uganda walked into the offices of the World Health Organization (WHO) with a heart full of hope and a 60-day contract in hand. Today, 20 years later, Patrick Wokorach is still walking through those doors—now as a seasoned shipping assistant, a veteran of…

Source: UNFPA - East and Southern Africa |

Fewer babies in Botswana acquire Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) thanks to dedicated push to eliminate mother to child transmission

Women living with HIV who do not receive antiretroviral (ARV) medicine have a 15–45% chance of transmitting the virus to their children during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding

Eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV is possible. And Botswana is celebrating becoming the first country in Africa – and the first country with a high burden of HIV - to be awarded a Gold Tier status by the World Health Organization (WHO), for its efforts to eliminate vertical transmission of…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Protecting those who protect us: Ensuring vaccinations for health workers on the frontlines

The ripple effect of protecting one health worker reaches far beyond the four walls of a health facility

It happened in seconds. The doors of the health facility flew open. A young man was rushed in, barely breathing, his family screaming behind him. Blood was everywhere, on the floor, his clothes, the hands of those trying to steady him. And without hesitation, the health workers moved towards him instinctively. There were…

Source: Médecins sans frontières (MSF) |

Libya: Médecins sans frontières (MSF) stands ready to resume medical activities, two-and-a-half months following MSFs forced suspension

Medications destined for donation to public hospitals were locked inside MSF’s premises, which MSF will now be obliged to destroy due to the loss of temperature control

Two and a half months after the forced suspension of its activities by Libyan authorities, following a wave of repression that affected ten humanitarian organizations present in the West of the country, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reaffirms its willingness to resume its medical services and its support to the Libyan…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) - Ethiopia |

Expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services in Ethiopia

With support from World Health Organization (WHO), health authorities have developed the National Self-Care Intervention Guideline, focusing on interventions for women, adolescent and child health

To address gaps in sexual and reproductive healthcare access, widened by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing humanitarian crises, Ethiopia is reinforcing its health system, making these vital services more accessible for women and adolescents in remote and crisis-affected areas. A key part of this effort is promoting self-care, by giving…

Merck Foundation
  • Multimedia content

  • Images (15)
    • Senator Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Kenya, meeting infertile women
    • Senator Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda (1)
    • Senator Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda (2)
    • Senator Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda (3)
    • Senator Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda (4)
    • Senator Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda (5)
    • Senator Dr Rasha Kelej during her visit to Uganda (6)
    • Merck Foundation CEO with Merck Foundation Alumni from Zambia
    • Senator Dr Rasha Kelej with a group of infertile women during her visit to Central African Republic
    • Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with The First Lady of DRC and Merck Foundation Alumni from DRC
    • Message from Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (1)
    • Message from Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (2)
    • Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO during their visit to Uganda
    • 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2024 (1)
    • 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2024 (2)
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Source: Merck Foundation |

“Girl Education Today for Women Empowerment Tomorrow”: Emphasizes Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej on International Women’s Day 2025

"Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with First Ladies of Africa who are also their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication & Gender, mark ‘International Women’s Day 2025’, through their impactful development programs, continuing their 13-year legacy of empowering women and girls.  Senator, Dr. Rasha…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Mobile clinics enhance access to health care services in Niger

Around 16 000 women were sensitized by community outreach teams on reproductive, maternal and neonatal health in the two districts

In Niger, West Africa’s largest country by land surface, access to health care services is a major challenge. Just one in two people has access to health services. One of the ways to bridge the gap is through mobile clinics in remote areas and deploying medical teams from health districts…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Community support boosts Angola’s cholera response

The Ministry of Health in Angola, with support from World Health Organization (WHO), has trained more than 8000 community mobilizers to support the response and around 4450 community leaders in early detection, oral rehydration solution preparation and household water treatment

In the heart of Boa Vista, a neighbourhood in Angola’s capital, Luanda, 48-year-old mother of three Maria Teresa da Silva is joining other community members to spread awareness of the ongoing cholera outbreak. When the first cases were reported in her community in mid-January 2025, she joined a group of…

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
  • Multimedia content

  • Images (1)
    • With health services being in short supply in Upper Nile, South Sudan, UNMISS peacekeepers from India step in to bridge the gap with a two-day medical outreach for over 300 displaced people (Photo by Samuel Adwok/UNMISS)
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Source: United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) |

South Sudan: Free medical care by Indian peacekeepers gives hope to over 300 displaced people

Blue Helmets from India hosted a two-day medical outreach at the UN Protection of Civilians site, adjacent to the Mission’s base in Malakal where some 315 displaced people received free treatment

As security concerns continue in parts of Upper Nile state, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is making every effort to protect civilians and boost community confidence. As an example—Blue Helmets from India hosted a two-day medical outreach at the UN Protection of Civilians site, adjacent to the…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana |

World Health Organization (WHO) Supports Training of Field Officers to conduct Poliovirus Containment Activities in Ghana

On 5 June 2025, the Ghana Health Service, with funding and technical assistance from WHO, organized a training for field officers for a nationwide survey on poliovirus containment and risk assessment

Ghana continues to make impressive strides in the fight against poliovirus, with the last confirmed case of Wild Poliovirus (WPV) recorded in 2008 and the most recent Variant Poliovirus (VDPV) detected in 2024. As the number of confirmed polio cases and detection of the virus in the environment decline steadily, the…