Category: Africa

Source: APO – Report:

A Sudanese Al-Beser Ophthalmology team, in collaboration with Eritrean medical experts, successfully performed eye surgeries on over 400 patients at Keren Referral Hospital from 20 to 26 July.

Mr. Alem Zekarias, Head of Blindness Control at the Ministry of Health, said that prior to the surgeries, eye examinations were conducted on about 3,000 patients. Of these, 406 underwent surgery, while others were provided with eyeglasses.

Noting that the program was part of the national campaign to control blindness, Mr. Alem said that the surgeries conducted in collaboration with the Sudanese Al-Beser Ophthalmology team was part of ongoing efforts to prevent and treat blindness.

Mr. Alem further stated that cataracts, trachoma, and other ophthalmic diseases can be treated through medication or surgery. He urged citizens experiencing eye complications to seek treatment from medical professionals and advised patients who had undergone surgery to properly use the prescribed medicines and follow the medical guidance provided.

Dr. Yafet Hailemicael, Medical Director of Keren Referral Hospital, indicated that the surgeries conducted in collaboration with the Sudanese Al-Beser Ophthalmology team were a continuation of similar programs previously carried out at the hospital. He also commended the Al-Beser team for its contribution.

The Sudanese Al-Beser medical team has conducted similar services in Eritrea on 15 occasions.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

It was supposed to be a simple medical checkup for pregnant Abuk*.

But when the doctors discovered she was suffering from anemia, things became far from simple in a setting lacking adequate medical care.

After the medical facility in Lainya closed due to severe weather damage, two doctors remained as volunteers moving the little equipment that was left to a place that merely qualifies as a room, let alone medical facility. And yet, it is the only health care option available to surrounding communities.

“During rainy season, we actually take umbrellas to the clinic to not get more sick from the water coming through leaks in the building,” shares local women representative, Harriet Raba.

In cases that require more than basic medical assistance, patients are referred to facilities in Yei or Juba, posing another challenge – transportation.

With persistent financial crises affecting areas across the country, patients are now required to provide fuel money to use the ambulance. Often, this means family and community members spend hours or even days collecting funds when an emergency appears.

For Abuk*, there was not enough time. Despite her relatives’ best efforts, she passed away right after delivering her twins that are now heading to an orphanage, accompanied by dozens of other children with similar experiences.

According to local officials, about eight women succumb to pregnancy or delivery complications in Lainya each year. It’s an unbearable situation amidst security and economic challenges for both children and communities as Harriet, mother of three and late Abuk’s* best friend, describes:

“Despite our best efforts, I have lost my best friend to the unavailability of transportation. Life is already too tough to witness situations like this.”

In neighboring Wonduruba, the situation is similarly bleak. It previously had nine clinics, but destruction during the 2016 conflict has left more than 10,000 residents with only one available option, the Wonduruba Health Care Facility.

Here, former nurse and now facility administrator, Isaac Lupharis explains stories of pain and loss:

“We keep losing these women to circumstances that could be avoidable if we received support from the government. Every time it happens, my heart breaks a little. It’s not something you get used to.”

A few years ago, they were able to provide free health care to about 10 to 15 patients visiting the clinic every day. While the number hasn’t changed, treatment options have.

“Since our ambulance broke down, we have to send critical patients to Yei or Juba with busses or even motorbikes, further complicating any issues they might be facing,” explains Lupharis.

In a country where maternal mortality is already high in global comparison, delivering a healthy child has become a miracle for many.

“Seeing how much pregnant women in our communities struggle to access simple healthcare services, I couldn’t be more grateful for my children,” expresses Betty Sunday who is visiting the clinic with her son to check up on his malaria recovery.

Having lost her husband during a cattle raid attack a few years ago, the mother of four also had to witness her friend dying before giving birth earlier this year. Together with other women, she is now working on a proposal outlining effective solutions.

During a long-distance patrol by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the women were given a safe space to discuss and further refine their ideas before submitting them to their local and, later, national government.

According to Gladys Philip Yona Jambim, UNMISS Associate Gender Affairs Officer, the outreach event exposed both the challenges of the status quo as well as opportunities for improvement:

“The needs here are various, but priority needs are the provision of a dedicated ambulance for the clinics to transfer critical conditions to either Lainya or Yei, medicines, and vitamins for children who are already malnourished.”

As often, the communities’ hopes rest with those that are brave enough to expose challenges and thus foster their translation into meaningful change.

– on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO – Report:

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On July 28, Ambassador Yin Chengwu attended the offical dedication ceremony of the Gbarnga to Salayea  Road Section (81KM) in Lofa County, Liberia, which was constructed by China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO). Liberian President H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, the Minister of Public Works, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, local officials, international partners, and CHICO representatives also attended the ceremony.

Ambassador Yin said that the completion of the project is of great significance to Liberia’s economic and social development. It reflects the Liberian Government’s commitment to improving people’s well-being and stands as another tangible outcome of the practical cooperation between China and Liberia. Successfully constructed and completed to a high standard by CHICO, the project fully demonstrates the professionalism and strong delivery capability of Chinese enterprises. China will continue to encourage capable Chinese companies to participate in Liberia’s economic development and further deepen practical cooperation between the two countries.

President Boakai expressed appreciation to all partners for their contributions to the project. He noted that the completion of the project will improve transportation in northern Liberia and promote the region’s economic and social development. He reaffirmed the Liberian Government’s commitment to advancing infrastructure development along the Northern Corridor to better serve the country’s development and improve the well-being of its people.

– on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO – Report:

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The price motorists in Seychelles would ordinarily be paying at the pump has already surpassed SCR 30 per litre as international fuel prices continue to rise amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Yet, through continued government intervention, the impact on consumers has been significantly softened, with the State continuing to absorb part of the increase so that households and businesses are shielded from the full force of global market conditions.

Cabinet has now approved an Accelerated Recovery Framework to transition from emergency fuel price intervention measures to a more sustainable commercial pricing model. As part of the framework, domestic mogas and gasoil prices will increase by approximately SCR 2 per litre, alongside targeted support measures designed to protect vulnerable users while ensuring the country’s long term fuel security.

The decision represents the next phase of a carefully considered strategy and was not taken overnight.

Since international fuel prices began placing pressure on the economy, the government has consistently encouraged the public to become active partners in reducing national energy consumption. Through sustained sensitisation campaigns, households, businesses and public institutions were urged to adopt more energy efficient practices to lessen the country’s fuel demand and mitigate the impact of rising import costs.

Recognising that awareness alone would not be enough, the government followed its appeals with practical measures.

One of the first initiatives introduced was Energy Conservation Fridays, encouraging public officers to work from home where possible. The objective was to reduce daily commuting, lower fuel consumption and decrease electricity usage across government offices.

When the response did not produce the desired level of savings, the government strengthened its approach by introducing earlier closing hours for the public service, with offices ending the working day at 2.30 p.m. The measure sought to reduce electricity consumption, operational costs and fuel use associated with transport, while contributing to broader national energy conservation efforts.

These initiatives reflected the government’s commitment to exhausting practical alternatives before adjusting domestic fuel prices.

Despite these efforts, the continued escalation of global fuel prices has made it increasingly difficult to sustain emergency intervention measures indefinitely. Cabinet therefore approved a gradual and carefully managed adjustment of approximately SCR 2 per litre, rather than transferring the full international cost to consumers in a single increase.

Even with the adjustment, the government continues to absorb part of the global price shock. Without this intervention, consumers would already be paying more than SCR 30 per litre at service stations. Instead, the phased approach continues to cushion households and businesses from the full impact of international fuel markets while allowing for a gradual transition towards sustainable pricing.

The announcement has been met with a largely understanding response from members of the public. Speaking to the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), several motorists acknowledged that the increase was not unexpected, pointing to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its effect on global fuel prices. Many recognised that these are external factors beyond Seychelles’ control and accepted that the country, like many others, must adapt to changing international market conditions.

At the same time, some expressed disappointment that the increase had become unavoidable, noting that higher fuel costs would inevitably place additional pressure on household budgets and reduce the amount families are able to save. Others observed that fuel has become a significant monthly expense and feared the adjustment would further tighten personal finances.

Meanwhile, Cabinet noted that the Accelerated Recovery Framework is intended to strengthen the financial sustainability of the Seychelles Petroleum Company (SEYPEC), safeguard the country’s fuel security, preserve its capacity to maintain strategic fuel reserves and invest in critical fuel infrastructure.

At the same time, targeted support measures will continue to assist vulnerable groups as Seychelles progressively moves away from emergency fuel price support introduced during the height of the global energy crisis.

The phased approach reflects the government’s broader strategy of balancing immediate relief for consumers with long term economic resilience, ensuring that today’s measures protect both the welfare of the population and the country’s energy security for the future.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO – Report:

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For five years, 29-year-old Denise lived with an obstetric fistula, a childbirth-related complication that profoundly affected her life. After undergoing surgery at the Mokolo Regional Annex Hospital in Cameroon’s Far North Region in April 2026, she is gradually rebuilding her life.

“This operation has changed my life in many ways. Today, I feel like any other woman,” says Denise.

Obstetric fistula is a childbirth-related complication that causes continuous leakage of urine or faeces. In Cameroon’s Far North Region, several factors contribute to its persistence, including long distances to health facilities, limited access to emergency obstetric care, early marriage and adolescent pregnancy. Beyond its medical consequences, the condition often exposes affected women to social isolation, stigma, loss of income and significant psychological distress.

Denise experienced these consequences first-hand. “I could no longer stay among other people because of the smell. Even within my family, it was difficult,” she recalls. Like many other women living with the condition, she did not know that treatment was available.

She learned that treatment was available through teams from the local organization AJASEED and community volunteers. Through awareness-raising activities in villages and communities, they identified women showing signs of obstetric fistula and referred them to health services. Denise was among those who benefited from this support.

According to available estimates, around 2000 new cases of obstetric fistula are recorded each year in Cameroon. The 2018 Demographic and Health Survey estimated that 0.3% of women of reproductive age were living with, or had previously experienced, obstetric fistula. The northern regions of the country remain particularly affected, with many women still lacking access to the specialized care they need.

To help address the problem, the Ministry of Public Health, with technical and financial support from the World Health Organization (WHO), organized an obstetric fistula repair campaign at the Mokolo Regional Annex Hospital in March 2026. The initiative aimed to strengthen community awareness, identify affected women, conduct the necessary medical examinations and facilitate access to specialized surgical care.

Through awareness-raising activities conducted with support from AJASEED and community health workers, 60 women with signs suggestive of obstetric fistula were identified. Following medical examinations, 37 cases were confirmed. Twelve women underwent surgery during the campaign. The remaining 25 women will receive treatment during future campaigns, including one planned by the Ministry of Public Health in August 2026.

Dr Augustin Menang, Regional Reproductive Health Focal Point at the Far North Regional Delegation of Public Health, highlights the government’s commitment to improving access to care for women living with obstetric fistula.

“Obstetric fistula is a preventable and treatable condition. Our priority is to strengthen prevention and ensure that women affected by it can access quality care. No woman should have to live with this condition for years because she is unable to access treatment,” he explains.

At the Mokolo Regional Annex Hospital, patients received medical examinations, surgical treatment and the necessary post-operative follow-up care. According to Dr Clovis Ourtching, an obstetrician-gynaecologist and fistula repair surgeon, these campaigns are essential because the cost of surgery often remains beyond the reach of many women.

“Many patients live with this condition for several years because they cannot afford treatment. These campaigns allow them to receive surgery free of charge and return home following successful surgery,” he says.

Beyond surgical repair, prevention remains critical. Dr Ourtching notes that every pregnant woman should attend regular antenatal care consultations and give birth in a health facility with support from skilled health personnel. He also emphasizes that early marriage and adolescent pregnancy can increase the risk of obstetric complications.

WHO support for the campaign was made possible through funding from Hellenic Aid through the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This support helped finance surgical procedures while strengthening community case detection, raising public awareness and supporting coordination with health authorities.

For Dr Mathieu Yomog, Coordinator of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme in the Far North Region, the impact of the campaign extends beyond the surgical intervention itself.

“Fistula repair represents a life-changing transformation for women. It allows them to regain their health, dignity and place in society,” he explains.

The results of the campaign are encouraging. None of the 12 women who underwent surgery were experiencing leakage at the time of discharge from hospital and no major complications were recorded.

The experience in Mokolo demonstrates that effective community case detection, access to specialized surgery and strong coordination between health authorities, communities and partners can help restore the health, dignity and social inclusion of women living with obstetric fistula.

For Denise, the intervention marks the end of five years of suffering and the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Her message to other women living with obstetric fistula is simple. “I want to tell them not to hide, but to speak to their friends, doctors and anyone who can help them. Treatment is available,” she says.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.