World Health Day 2026

Message from WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi

On this World Health Day, Africa joins the global call: "Together for health. Stand with science." The longer lives, effective prevention and life-saving treatments we value today are the result of decades of scientific progress. Across Africa, science is driving practical solutions that improve lives and contribute to global health.

African scientists, institutions and communities have played a vital role in shaping responses to major health challenges. The rapid development and deployment of Ebola vaccines during outbreaks in West and Central Africa demonstrated the power of research rooted in local partnerships. Genomic sequencing in South Africa enabled the early identification of new COVID-19 variants, informing global responses. And the establishment of WHO-supported mRNA vaccine technology transfer hubs is paving the way for Africa to produce its own vaccines. Through science we are not only solving African problems, but helping shape global solutions.

Across the Region, public health efforts grounded in scientific evidence and innovation have turned some of our most difficult challenges into stories of hope. Expanded immunization has protected millions from preventable diseases. Antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition. Investments in maternal and child health have significantly reduced deaths among mothers and newborns.

Still, our Region faces a complex web of challenges: persistent diseases, emerging health threats and strained health systems. None of these can be solved alone. They demand that across governments, disciplines and communities, we act together.

The One Health approach reflects this understanding. It promotes coordinated action across sectors to address threats ranging from animal-borne illnesses to environmental risks. Over the last decade, Africa has made strong progress on this agenda.

Forty-six countries have developed National Action Plans for Health Security.

Every Member State has a National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.

Several countries have strengthened One Health platforms and are applying integrated approaches to surveillance, risk assessment and response.

Yet funding for research and innovation remains limited, surveillance systems are uneven and early warning capacities must be strengthened. Our shared challenge is clear: we must invest in innovation and ensure equitable access to its benefits.

WHO envisions a new era of health for Africa that calls for a renewed commitment to science at every level.

Universal health to ensure everyone benefits from proven interventions.

Resilience through strengthened systems that detect and respond to threats.

Modernization that advances workforce capacity and digital innovation.

Ownership which empowers African countries to lead, finance and sustain their health systems.

On this World Health Day, we encourage African governments to increase domestic investment in science, research and innovation as a foundation for health security and sustainable development. We also call on international partners to strengthen support for African-led science, foster equitable partnerships and expand access to technologies and knowledge.

Science should be as unrestricted as the health threats we face. A breakthrough that is not accessible to those who need it most, remains unfinished work. When African innovation is fully supported and connected to global efforts, all of humanity benefits. Through science and solidarity, we can build a healthier, safer future for all.