Norway strengthens emergency preparedness at 1,000 hospitals in Africa

News story | Date: 18/05/2026 | Ministry of Health and Care Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Norway is providing NOK 30 million to the World Health Organization's (WHO) programme for basic emergency care. The funding will help strengthen life saving skills at around 1,000 hospitals in five African countries over the next three years.

'Norway has a long and proud global health tradition, prioritising cooperation that builds health systems and promotes innovation saving lives. I am pleased and proud that we can contribute to this partnership,' said Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre.

The programme has been developed by Laerdal Global Health in partnership with WHO and is being implemented in close cooperation with the national health authorities in Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Sierra Leone. The aim is to provide health personnel with basic emergency medicine skills, particularly at district and regional hospitals where the needs are greatest.

'This initiative shows how the UN, private actors and governments together can contribute to better health services where the needs are greatest. WHO is the central global health actor, and Norway prioritises strengthening the organisation both through our flexible funding and by supporting targeted partnerships such as this,' said Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust.

The support for the programme is additional to Norway's contribution of NOK 1 billion to WHO's investment round for 2025-2028, which aims to ensure more predictable and sustainable financing for the organisation.

Norway is announcing the funding at the World Health Assembly in Geneva on 18 May.