Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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Angola has launched one of the largest public health campaigns in its history: vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer. The goal is clear and urgent: to protect more than two million girls aged between 9 and 12 across the country between October 27 and November 7. 

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women of reproductive age in Angola, but it can be prevented. WHO estimates point to more than 2,000 new cases per year, half of which are fatal. The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and recommended by the WHO, offering protection against the most common types of the virus that cause cervical cancer. Each dose administered represents a shield against a disease that should not claim lives. 

To achieve this goal, 1,667 teams from the Expanded Program on Immunization will visit public and private schools, health facilities, and communities, ensuring that 70% of eligible girls receive the vaccine free of charge. The vaccine is administered in a single dose, in accordance with WHO guidelines. 

This campaign puts Angola at the forefront of the Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage. “Each dose is a victory against the disease, an investment in the future, and protection for Angolan families,” said Dr. Tomás Valdez, WHO Acting Representative. 

The official launch of the campaign took place in Namibe province, where Diego Zorrilla, Acting Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, said: “Angola is taking a historic step to protect its girls and ensure a healthier future.” 

Vaccination against cervical cancer in Angola is the culmination of 16 years of preparation and mobilization, involving national authorities, health partners, civil society, and the private sector. “This is an unprecedented joint effort in the history of public health in the country. Today, we are realizing the dream of protecting young Angolan women against cervical cancer,” said Health Minister Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta. 

The campaign is also led by the First Lady of the Republic, Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço, who acts as national ambassador, mobilizing institutions, leaders, and communities to ensure that no girl is left behind. 

HPV vaccination is part of the WHO’s global strategy to eradicate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030, ensuring that 90% of girls are vaccinated before the age of 15, that 70% of women undergo screening for early detection, and that 90% of women diagnosed receive appropriate treatment. 

In this operation, led by the Ministries of Health and Education, with technical and logistical support from WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, GAVI, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and other strategic partners, WHO played a key role in supporting the Government of Angola in conducting studies on socio-behavioral factors that influence vaccine acceptance, developing a communication and community engagement strategy, and preparing microplans, manuals, and guidance documents to ensure effective implementation. 

Now, the mission is clear: inform, mobilize, and act to vaccinate all girls, everywhere. WHO calls on parents, teachers, community leaders, journalists, and influencers to spread accurate messages and encourage vaccination. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.

Source: APO

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Graduates sang and clapped as they celebrated reaching a personal milestone. They were embarking on a new journey as the next generation of mental health leaders in West Africa.

After nine months of rigorous classroom and field training, fellows from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali and Niger became the pioneers of the Subregional Intermediate Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) in Mental Health. They graduated in Côte d’Ivoire on 20 August.

Dr Harouna Morou, the representative of the FETP graduates, expressed his deepest gratitude to the health authorities of Côte d’Ivoire for their vision and commitment to mental health, to the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), and to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) for making the training possible.

He extended his gratitude to the godfather of their cohort, Professor Youssa Traoré, for his inspiration and constant support, and to the trainers who passed on their knowledge to the graduates with passion and determination. Professor Traoré is also a graduate of the Africa CDC Kofi Annan Fellowship in Global Leadership.

“This training has been an unmatched opportunity,” said Dr Morou. “It has truly been transformative. It has allowed us to acquire concrete skills, thanks to tools adapted to local realities.”

The training was designed to strengthen participants’ competencies in thematic areas of public mental health, including epidemiology, surveillance systems evaluation, leadership skills, access to mental health services, mental health laws and legislation, and national mental health strategies. These competencies will help inform and implement sustainable and impactful mental health interventions at local, regional and national levels.

Graduates are now equipped to strengthen mental health surveillance, promote and facilitate the decentralisation of mental health services to primary health care and community-based facilities, and improve access to mental health care.

At the end of the training, participants were motivated to improve the mental health of their populations and support service users and their families, to prioritise mental health within the broader health and development agenda, and to demonstrate leadership skills necessary for operating at mid- and advanced levels of the mental health system.

The feeling of success was palpable.

“Today is not a simple certificate presentation, it is a historic moment that illustrates a major advance in our collective quest for an Africa where mental health is recognised, integrated and strengthened as an essential component of public health,” said Dr Adelard Kakunze, Senior Technical Officer in the Division of Disease Control and Prevention at Africa CDC, representing the Head of Division.

“I would like to reaffirm Africa CDC’s commitment to continue working with Member States and partners to build public health capacity across the continent. Today, you are ready to become leaders in your respective countries. I invite you to demonstrate the leadership skills and team spirit you have acquired during the training,” Dr Kakunze said.

The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions has grown by 67 per cent between 1990 and 2017. Given this rate of increase, NCDs and mental health conditions are projected to cause more premature deaths in Africa than in any other region by 2030.

“We need epidemiological evidence that shows us the burden of these mental health problems,” said Dr Herbert Kazoora of AFENET.

“I am happy that this training has been used effectively and demonstrates to our partners and to Africa CDC that we have the capacity to deliver. We dreamed it, and we have made it happen,” said Professor Mamadou Samba, Director-General of Health at the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene of Côte d’Ivoire.

Speaking to the graduates — the first French-speaking cohort to complete the course — he encouraged them to apply their new skills and make them available in their countries.

“There is no health without mental health. The message is very clear, it is up to you to ensure that it is received and understood widely in our communities,” Professor Samba said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Source: APO

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Africa Tech Festival (www.AfricaTechFestival.com) 2025, the continent’s most influential technology event, has confirmed Lillian Barnard, Chief of Enterprise Partners for Microsoft Middle East & Africa, as one of its headline speakers. Barnard will participate in the Keynote Fireside C-Suite Dialogue on the topic of “Leading Africa’s Digital Transformation”, sharing insights on how leadership is evolving in a digital-first world. The discussion will focus on real operational decisions, cultural shifts, and investment strategies required to navigate Africa’s infrastructure gaps, talent shortages, and rising customer expectations. 

Her participation reinforces this year’s strategic themes of Responsible Innovation, Inclusive Investment, Connectivity for Development, and Policy Harmonisation, which underpin the Festival’s flagship programmes – AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town. 

The Africa Tech Festival 2025 will take place from 11 to 13 November at the Cape Town International Conference Centre. www.AfricaTechFestival.com 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

Source: APO

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HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, held talks on Tuesday with HE Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, Maria Benvinda Levi, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, currently underway in Doha.

The talks focused on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

The two sides also exchanged views on key issues featured on the summit’s agenda, along with a range of issues of mutual interest. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Source: APO

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The latest analysis of food insecurity and malnutrition in Sudan shows stark contrasts along conflict lines, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF warned today. In areas where violence has subsided – allowing humanitarian access and market recovery – food security has begun to improve. But in conflict-hit locations that have been largely cut off from humanitarian assistance or under siege, famine has now taken hold.

The agencies call for an end to hostilities and safe, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access, which is urgently needed to prevent further loss of life and protect livelihoods.

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Special Snapshot confirms that by September 2025, acute food insecurity had slightly improved with an estimated 21.2 million – 45 percent of the population – facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC3+). An estimated 3.4 million people are no longer facing crisis levels of hunger (IPC3+) compared to the previous analysis (December 2024 to May 2025).

These improvements follow a gradual stabilisation since May 2025 in Khartoum, Al Jazirah and Sennar states, where conflict has eased. Families are returning home, markets are reopening, and there is more consistent access for commercial and humanitarian supplies. But these gains are limited; the wider crisis has shattered the economy and vital services, and much of the infrastructure people rely on has been damaged or destroyed.

Good conditions for agriculture are also expected after the harvest and into 2026, with crisis levels of hunger improving to19.3 million (October 2025 to January 2026).

However, these fragile improvements are highly localised. Many families returning to Khartoum and Al Jazirah have lost everything and will struggle to benefit fully from the harvest. Meanwhile, in the western regions of Sudan – notably North Darfur, South Darfur, West Kordofan and South Kordofan – active conflict and severely restricted access is driving a sharp deterioration in hunger and malnutrition.

From February 2026, hunger is expected to worsen as food stocks run out and fighting continues. IPC figures remain largely unchanged because conditions are too volatile to predict outcomes for around 841,000 people in the hardest-hit areas, including El Fasher, Kadugli, Dilling and parts of South Kordofan.

“Despite the immense challenges, FAO and its partners remain committed to supporting communities wherever access allows,” said Rein Paulsen, FAO’s Director of Emergencies and Resilience. “Seeds, tools and livestock are lifelines for millions of Sudanese farmers and herders. Restoring access and enabling local food production are essential to saving lives and protecting livelihoods.”

Famine confirmed in besieged El Fasher and Kadugli

According to the Famine Review Committee (FRC), famine conditions (IPC Phase 5 – with reasonable evidence) are occurring in El Fasher in North Darfur and Kadugli in South Kordofan – towns largely cut off by conflict from commercial supplies and humanitarian assistance. These areas had been classified as IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) in 2024. Famine thresholds for food consumption, acute malnutrition and mortality have now been surpassed.

Conditions in Dilling, South Kordofan, are likely similar to Kadugli, but cannot be classified due to insufficient reliable data – a result of restricted humanitarian access and ongoing hostilities.

In the Western Nuba Mountains, conditions have shown marginal improvement, prompting a shift from Risk of Famine to IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). However, the risk of famine remains high if humanitarian access does not improve.

The FRC projects a risk of famine in 20 additional areas across Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan, including rural localities and displacement camps. This includes several new locations in East Darfur and South Kordofan.

Nutrition emergency drives child deaths

Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates from screening data are alarmingly high, ranging from 38 to 75 percent in El Fasher and reaching 29 percent in Kadugli, according to the IPC.

Meanwhile, outbreaks of cholera, malaria and measles continue to rise in areas where health, water and sanitation systems have collapsed, further increasing the risk of death among malnourished children.

“The deadly combination of hunger, disease and displacement is placing millions of children at risk,” said Lucia Elmi, UNICEF Director of Emergency Operations. “Among them, girls often bear the brunt facing increased risks of malnutrition, gender-based violence, and being pulled out of school. Therapeutic food, safe water, and essential medicines and health services can save lives, but only if we can reach children in time. We urgently need parties to abide by their obligations under international law and to provide humanitarian actors with safe, timely and unhindered access to children.”

Humanitarian access and funding are critical

Across all critically affected regions, the drivers of hunger are clear: conflict, displacement and blocked humanitarian access. In El Fasher and Kadugli, people have endured months without reliable access to food or medical care. Markets have collapsed and prices of staple goods have soared.

“WFP has made hard-won gains and is now reaching more than 4 million people each month with vital food assistance,” said Ross Smith, WFP’s Director of Emergencies. “We see what’s possible when we can delivery vital aid: families rebuild, markets revive, and children get the food they need to survive. But conflict still decides who eats and who does not. Too many communities are being pushed into starvation simply because we cannot reach them. We need additional funding and sustained, unhindered access — now — to stop famine from spreading.”

UNICEF, WFP and FAO are prioritizing the hardest-hit areas with integrated food, nutrition, health, WASH, protection and agricultural and livestock health support. But access remains inconsistent, and humanitarian workers and supplies are frequently targeted, while aid convoys face delays, denials and security threats.

Without safe, sustained access, adequate funding and an end to violence, famine will continue to claim lives in Sudan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

Source: APO

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HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met on Tuesday with HE Mulambo Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the the Republic of Zambia.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025 in Doha, focused on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Source: APO

Kenya Engineer Magazine (www.KenyaEngineer.co.ke) is proud to announce the release of its November–December 2025 issue, a special Energy Edition now in circulation both in print and digital formats.

As the region’s longest-running engineering publication, Kenya Engineer continues to highlight the people, policies, and innovations shaping Kenya’s infrastructure and industrial landscape. The Nov/Dec 2025 issue explores the country’s ongoing energy transformation — from renewable integration to clean mobility — capturing the insights, challenges, and opportunities defining Africa’s energy future.

Inside the Energy Edition

The new issue features a comprehensive collection of articles, interviews, and reports, including:

• Exclusive Interview: George Aluru, CEO of the Electricity Sector Association of Kenya (ESAK), discusses the future of Kenya’s energy sector, the role of private investors, and regional power integration.

• EPRA Energy Report 2025: In-depth analysis of Kenya’s electricity generation mix, renewable expansion, and consumption trends.

• Africa Engineering Week 2025 Report: Coverage from Kampala on engineering innovations for sustainable development and regional collaboration.

• Technical Features: Articles on superconductivity, wind pumps, corrosion protection in photovoltaic farms, and occupational safety in Kenya’s energy sector.

• Eulogy: Raila Amolo Odinga (1945–2025) — A tribute to the engineer and statesman whose technical background influenced infrastructure and standards across Kenya.

This edition marks Volume 53, Issue 6, continuing Kenya Engineer’s legacy as a trusted source of insight for professionals, investors, students, and policymakers across Africa’s engineering ecosystem.

Now Available in Print and Digital Editions

Readers can now purchase:

• Single Print Copy —  https://apo-opa.co/437tOBm

• Digital Edition (Downloadable PDF) — https://apo-opa.co/4nyBPXn

• One-Year Print Subscription (6 Issues) — https://apo-opa.co/3XgM2N7

Within the month of November, Kenya Engineer is offering discounts of up to 50% on all these purchases — an opportunity for readers worldwide to access the magazine at special launch rates.

Looking Ahead: January 2026 Issue

The upcoming January–February 2026 issue will focus on Industry and Manufacturing, spotlighting the technologies, policies, and projects driving industrial growth and value addition across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Kenya Engineer.

For Media Inquiries and Partnerships:
Kenya Engineer Magazine
Email: info@kenyaengineer.co.ke

About Kenya Engineer:
Founded over five decades ago, Kenya Engineer Magazine is the premier publication serving the engineering community in Kenya and across East Africa. It provides credible reporting, analysis, and commentary on infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, environment, and technology, while celebrating the people advancing Africa’s engineering profession.

Website: www.KenyaEngineer.co.ke