Dr. Kibachio J. Mwangi; MD, PhD.

On this #WorldHealthDay, as we celebrate 78 years of @WHO, we are reminded that some of the greatest gains in public health have come when the world chose science, solidarity and cooperation over fear, division and misinformation. This year’s theme “Together for health. Stand with science” is both a celebration and a call to action: to protect health by choosing evidence, trusting facts, and supporting science-led solutions for people, animals, plants and the planet. In a noisy and polarized world, this message matters more than ever: health decisions must be guided by EVIDENCE, not NOISE. Whether we are shaping policy, responding to outbreaks, addressing environmental threats, strengthening health systems or guiding everyday choices, science remains our most trusted path to better health outcomes. The WHO’s 2026 WHD campaign specifically calls on governments, scientists, health workers, partners and the public to stand with science, rebuild trust, and secure a healthier future. With @HealthZA, this call resonates deeply. As we commemorate this day, we are glad to partner with SouthAfrica to reaffirm that health is a fundamental human right, and that stronger collaboration across government, academia, research institutions, health professionals and communities is essential for fairer, safer and more effective health action. As we celebrate 🎉 WHO 78 birthday 🎂, Let us champion evidence over misinformation, facts over noise, cooperation over doubt and solidarity in the service of humanity. #StandWithScience #HealthForAll #OneHealth

Today’s launch of the Dorothy Nyembe #parkrun in Soweto was not only about the run. It was about creating a culture of wellness. It was about prevention and building communities in which healthy living is visible, accessible, safe, and inclusive. Thanks @HealthZA @WHOSouthAfrica and @UNICEF_SA for sending a strong message that physical activity must be promoted not only as an individual responsibility, but as a shared social good that deserves multi-sectoral partnerships, public leadership and community support.

Today on #WorldCancerDay, we stand #UnitedByUnique - Placing people at the centre of cancer care and their lived experiences at the heart of the conversation. Cancer is more than a medical diagnosis; it is a deeply personal journey. Behind every diagnosis is a unique human story of grief, pain, resilience, healing, HOPE and LOVE. The incidence of Cancer is exponentially growing in @SouthAfrica as globally in line with the unfolding epidemiological transition from infectious diseases towards #NCDs. As @WHOSouthAfrica, we are supporting the @HealthZA to rollout in the UHC context a truly people centred cancer care continuum; one that integrates each individual’s needs with compassion and empathy, delivers better health outcomes and ensures no one is lost along the way. Today we are holding a stakeholder engagement on our strategic framework on #cercicalcancer Elimination. we are working towards strong prevention, screening and early detection, timely and comprehensive treatment, survivorship and palliative care, supported by functional multidisciplinary teams across the health system. We renew our call for sustained political will, meanigful investment and coordinated action to strengthen cancer services and ensure no one is left behind. Together, we can turn commitment into impact and move decisively towards achieving the 2030 #SDG targets. 🧡🇿🇦

Today, we joined the @HealthZA and partners to commemorate #UHCDay2025 under the theme “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!” @WHO reaffirmed its support to South Africa’s journey towards equitable, affordable health care for all.

Scientific evidence shows, once again, there is no causal link between vaccines and autism. Vaccines cause adults. The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety has examined 31 studies across multiple countries over 15 years, including vaccines with aluminium and thiomersal, all leading to the same result: vaccines do not cause autism. Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects, which WHO closely monitors — but autism is not one of them.

Its #WorldDiabetesDay. South Africa just wrapped up a successful yet emotional #diabetessummit2025 hosted by the Diabetes alliance, @WorldDiabetesF and @WHOSouthAfrica. Diabetes doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The same drivers - Unawareness, unhealthy diets, tobacco & alcohol use, physical inactivity, air pollution and fragile Primary health care demand whole-of-government action, alongside strong person-centred services. Working with @HealthZA , @WHOSouthAfrica is creating a strategic momentum built on the South Africa’s NCD Strategy (2022–2027) and the WHO Global Diabetes Compact to support prevention, early diagnosis, continuity of care, and reliable access to insulin & essential technologies. It is time to turn commitments into measurable gains! Prevention + strong PHC = impact. #WorldDiabetesDay #PHC #BeatNCDs #Diabetes #WDD2025 #HealthInAllPolicies

Today is #WorldStrokeDay with the theme 'Every Minute Counts' and indeed …time is critical in treating a stroke as the faster we act, the better the outcome. This is how you can reduce the risk of a #stroke (when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off) 🚭 Quit smoking and alcohol 🛑 Know and Control blood pressure and cholesterol ✅ Manage diabetes 🏋🏾 Watch weight 🍏 Eat healthy 🏃🏾 Exercise regularly 30 minutes a day. ⏰ in the event of a stroke- Act FAST… F – Face: sudden drooping on one side. A – Arm: sudden weakness/numbness in one arm (or leg), usually on one side. S – Speech: sudden trouble speaking or understanding. T – Time: time to get emergency help immediately. in South Africa call ☎️ 112 on any mobile line or 10177. #beatNCDs #healthforall

@WHOSouthAfrica joined @HealthZA & @GautengHealth to mark #WorldMentalHealthDay at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Leaders reaffirmed commitment to accessible & stigma-free #MentalHealth services. People with lived experience shared powerful testimonies of hope & recovery

Despite the availability of effective diagnosis and treatment, three out of four people in low-income countries living with Epilepsy do not get the care they need. The @WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan, (IGAP) endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2021, provides us with a clear roadmap. It calls on us to ; ✅ Raise policy prioritisation ✅ Ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and other neurological conditions. ✅ Invest in prevention and brain health promotion. ✅ Strengthen data and research ✅ Approach epilepsy and other neurological disorders through a public health lens. In short, the IGAP is our collective opportunity to turn commitments into action ‼️

#IFACONF2025 #GlobalConferenceOnAgeing Leaning alot @IFAgeing conference day 2. @WHO Thiago Herick De Sa breaks down the key domains for an age friendly city including outdoor spaces, transport, housing, social participation, respect and inclusion, civic participation, communication, and health services that support active and healthy aging and improve the overall quality of life for their residents. So timely that all this is going down in @CapeTown - an age-friendly city that fosters active and healthy aging by providing environments that support health, well-being, and quality of life for older adults and people of all ages. It is indeed not just about "elderly-friendly" but rather about creating inclusive environments that allow older people to fully participate in community life.

Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) participate in a hands-on health screening training session on NCDs) — including diabetes, hypertension, cancer — in Rustenburg. As trusted and accessible figures, THPs play a vital role in strengthening holistic, community-based NCD care.

Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) are trusted, accessible, and deeply embedded in communities - qualities that make them powerful allies for early detection, awareness creation, adherence support, and holistic care for common #NCDs. The enabling policy framework in the @HealthZA and the formal recognition of these practitioners in South Africa provides a strong foundation for this integration. #BeatNCDs #HealthForAll

Be sure to join this afternoon Session 8 of the #ICPPA2025 as we deliberate on Scaling PEN-Plus: Financing and Sustainability: The role of government and partners. Strong government leadership is vital for scaling #PENPlus across Africa—by ensuring financing, sustainability & integration into national health systems. When govts lead & partners align, lives are saved, NCD care reaches those most in need and #UHC becomes a reality! #NCDs #GlobalHealth #EndingDiseasesinAfrica #BeatNCD

So glad to be participating in the #ICPPA2025 PEN-Plus in Africa conference in Abuja supported by the @WHOAFRO , @HelmsleyTrust, @NCDIpoverty and the @NigeriaGov. The @WHO PEN-Plus empowers local health workers through specialized training, provides essential resources, and delivers patient-centered care bringing crucial #NCD services closer to home for people living in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. It calls for sustained efforts toward comprehensive action on NCDs, Stronger health systems and Sustainable care for severe chronic diseases. #beatNCDs #EndingDiseasesInAfrica To participate virtually, register here who.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

Today @WHOAFRO we focus on Sickle Cell Disease: A Public Health Priority in Africa Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a major inherited blood disorder with significant public health implications, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where over 75% of global cases occur. It contributes substantially to childhood mortality, chronic ill-health, and socioeconomic strain on families and health systems. Many children born with SCD die before their fifth birthday due to lack of early diagnosis, access to care, and preventive services. In African countries, where communicable and non-communicable disease burdens are already high, SCD compounds the challenges facing overstretched health systems. Recognizing the urgent need for coordinated action, the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting countries to address SCD through a multi-pronged strategy. @WHO is working to: 1. Increase awareness of the global burden of SCD among the international community, policymakers, and stakeholders 2. Promote equitable access to quality health services, including early diagnosis through newborn screening, comprehensive care, and education for patients and families 3. Provide technical support to countries to strengthen health systems for the prevention, management, and monitoring of SCD 4. Promote and support research into new therapies and models of care to improve quality of life and outcomes for people living with SCD. As we mark #WorldSickleCellDay , it is imperative that African countries elevate SCD on national health agendas, invest in sustainable care models, and partner with global initiatives to reduce avoidable deaths and improve lifelong wellbeing for affected individuals.

An empowered diabetes civil society means stronger advocacy, better awareness, and more inclusive policies. It holds leaders accountable, amplifies marginalized voices, and drives social change from the ground up. @WHOSouthAfrica in partnership with @HealthZA, @UPDiabetes and sponsored by the @WorldDiabetesF are holding a diabetes civil society forum to learn from each other and strategise on how to support the government in leading the campaign to halt and reverse the burden of diabetes and NCDs at large. When civil society thrives, so does the community, health, justice, equity, and sustainable development. Indeed when people living with diabetes lead the conversation, systems become more responsive, equitable, and person-centered. @WHO @WHOAFRO @ncdalliance @UNinSouthAfrica @ShenaazEl @themoaroberts @KayaNews #NCDs #ActOnNCDs #LeadOnNCDs #meaningfulengagement