Africa Primary Health Care Forum

A landmark for #OneHealth. Congratulations @khosla_rajat and @PMNCH team for being part of this process. @iphfonline @WAIPH_News @TheWaaph @OneHealthCom @official_WACERM @APHCF_info

As we reflect in the days following World Health Day 2026, the conversation on equitable access to healthcare remains as urgent as ever. “There are husbands that don’t like their children to be immunized; they are zero-dose children… he will never accept it, and he will never listen… they are very strict, they never cooperate.” – VCM Panshekara This statement reminds us that the challenge of zero-dose children goes beyond the availability of vaccines. It speaks to deeper social and cultural dynamics, where household decision-making, trust, and beliefs shape whether a child receives life-saving immunization. Despite ongoing efforts by government, civil society, and private sector actors, the question remains: why do zero-dose children still exist? Insights from dRPC’s 2024 research in Kano State (drpcngr.org/zero-dose-chil…), presented at the RI Partners Meeting in April 2025, reveal that resistance is often tied to trust gaps, gender roles, and limited community engagement strategies that fail to reach key decision-makers. Even after World Health Day, the call to action continues: We must listen more. We must engage differently. We must build trust intentionally. Because reaching every child requires reaching every household. #worldhealthday2026 #zerodosechildren #immunizationforall #healthequity #drpc #communityengagement

8 days to go! Cohort II Fellows are settling into Abuja, with training beginning tomorrow as we gear up for the official launch. This marks the beginning of their work towards strengthening primary healthcare at the community level. #StarsEverywhere #NHF2

Immunization is foundational to strong health systems—and to equity. @_AfricanUnion Member States have adopted the Continental Immunization Strategy, coordinated by Africa CDC, to strengthen routine immunization, reach zero-dose communities, and integrate vaccines within resilient primary health care systems. This is a collective step toward protecting more people in every community. 🔗 Find out more: ow.ly/wijj50Ybqcf

Fellow Nigerians and friends around the world, good day. Under the leadership of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, @officialABAT, Nigeria’s population of over 240m continues to demonstrate a growing commitment to accessing quality health services and preventive tools that protect lives, reduce avoidable illness, and sustain productivity nationwide. This progress is evidenced by measurable outcomes. In Q2 2024, health facilities nationwide recorded approx. 10m hospital visits. By Q2 2025, visits exceeded 45m, representing a more than fourfold increase and reflecting increased use of essential and life saving services, particularly immunization. Once constrained by misinformation, distrust, and limited access, Nigeria’s youthful population is now achieving historic immunization coverage. Under this administration, over 25m measles doses and 22m yellow fever vaccinations have been administered, alongside Africa’s first Mpox vaccine rollout. In addition, five million children have received the pentavalent vaccine, over 10m the tetanus diphtheria vaccine through the nationwide diphtheria response, and more than 1m vaccines from the @gavi funded global stockpile have supported meningitis outbreak control in northern regions. Nigeria @NigeriaGov has taken a historic step in malaria control with the introduction of its first ever malaria vaccine. As the country bearing the world’s highest malaria burden, accounting for approx. 39.3 percent of malaria related deaths among children under five, deployment of the R21 Matrix M vaccine marks a major public health milestone. With over 97 percent of Nigerians at risk, the vaccine complements existing interventions such as insecticide treated nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Rollout commenced in Bayelsa and Kebbi states, with Kebbi alone targeting 179,542 children aged five to fifteen months. Nigeria received 1m doses in total, including 846,200 from Gavi and 153,800 financed by the FG, with plans for further scale up. Nigeria is no longer defined solely by disease burden but increasingly by leadership in domestic resource mobilization and global disease control efforts. In 2025, the FG committed 54m dollars in domestic resources to the global fight against TB @StopTB and emerged as the largest African contributor to @GlobalFund, as announced at the most recent G20 meeting in Johannesburg. These gains are substantive. Sustained increases in health sector financing @Fmohnigeria across all levels of govt., covering primary infrastructure, workforce development, and vaccination campaigns, have reinforced global confidence in Nigeria as a provider of solutions. A further illustration is the drive to eliminate cervical cancer. Approx. 12,000 Nigerian women are diagnosed annually, yet the disease is preventable through early HPV vaccination. Since the Oct. 2023 launch across 15 states and the FCT, over 14m eligible girls aged 9 to 14 years have been vaccinated, representing more than 90 percent coverage. These achievements reflect deliberate sectoral reform and strengthened coordination through the Sector Wide Approach @SWApGov, aligning all tiers of govt. with development partners and NGOs. Recently, formal approval was granted for an additional 68bn naira for vaccine financing and related requirements, with funds lodged at the @NPHCDA and scheduled for release. The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends beyond economic reform and infrastructure investment. It is anchored in the development of the Nigerian person and the capacity of every citizen to live a healthy, productive, and dignified life. This administration remains committed to ensuring that preventable illness and avoidable death no longer constrain the full potential of the men and women who advance our nation. Thank you, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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“The fight against cervical cancer begins not with a syringe, but with listening.” In Nigeria, community conversations are transforming HPV vaccine acceptance and saving lives. Read how dialogue builds trust → bit.ly/4qtvJdv #HPV #HealthEquity #Nigeria

VillageReach CEO Dr. Ahmed Ogwell joins #GHSC2025 in Kigali to discuss securing resilient vaccine supply chains for the next biological threat — alongside team insights on lab transport, investment priorities & data-driven systems. 🌍💉 #GlobalHealth

A Milestone Moment for Public Health in Africa: APH Celebrates 10 Years with Regional Director of WHO/AFRO as Keynote Speaker Abuja, Nigeria - The PanAfrican Academy of Public Health (@ThewaAPH) is set to mark a decade of excellence in nurturing public health leadership in Africa with a landmark event. The annual conference and membership induction ceremony, scheduled for November 24th, 2025, at the elegant Shehu Musa Yar'adua centre at the heart of Abuja, will bring together esteemed guests, including His Excellency @ProfJanabi , Regional Director of the World Health Organization (@WHOAFRO ) for Africa. A Key Moment for Africa’s Health Agenda Dr. Ferhat Khan, President of APH, extends a warm welcome to Professor Janabi, on behalf of The Academy of Public Health highlighting that the significance of his presence would serve as a testament to @WHO's commitment to strengthening partnerships with its non-state actors and professionalising public health on the continent. Professor Janabi's keynote address, "The Silent Epidemic: How Non-communicable Diseases are Threatening Africa’s Development," is eagerly anticipated, shedding light on the pressing issue of #NCDs, which account for over a third of deaths in Africa. Celebrating Excellence in Public Health This year's induction ceremony will honour four distinguished public health leaders - Dr. Ahmed Ogwell OUMA - FAPH (@laktarr001), HE Amb. Prof. Sheila Tlou (@_dinotshe) , Hon. Professor @muhammadpate , and Professor @agnesbinagwaho - with the Distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Public Health (#DFAPH) award, recognising their outstanding contributions to public health in Africa. A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation The event will feature a high-level town hall engagement with Regional Directors of @AfricaCDC by public health professionals, exploring regional cooperation and innovative solutions to address NCDs. The conference will also focus on digital health, the concept of shared leadership, and multisectoral collaboration, reinforcing APH's role as a leading public health Think-tank in Africa, and Faculty of @WAIPH_News . Join us as we celebrate a decade of APH and the Institute under the leadership of Dr Francis Ohanyido, and look forward to a future of strengthened partnerships and collective action towards a healthier Africa. #NewPublicHealthOrder #AfricaHealthCapacity #APH2025 #APHat10 #NCDsInAfrica @OoasWaho @AfDB_Group @AfricaHealthBiz @WHOSierraLeone @WHOGhana @WHOKenya @abchealthafrica @gatesfoundation @VillageReach @SCIDaR_ @drpc_nig @AIT_Online @BBCAfrica @LisdelNig @Jhpiego @forbesafrica @smafrica2014 @WHONigeria @WHO @ohanyidof @DrTedros @Dr_JeanKaseya @ntulikapologwe @HSSHub @HarryBanigo @MagdaNRobalo @SalakoIziaq @MojiMakanjuMFR @drchimezie @AkyalaIshaku @AdetiloyeOniyi1 @KasoloFrancis @MoetiTshidi @MehadSMAfrica @drtemitopeilori @mazmazli @BrantuoMary @docthakker @nsengimanajp

Public Health Journalism: Ojoma Akor To Be Honoured with Inaugural Moji Makanjuola Award Abuja, Nigeria - The Academy of Public Health (@ThewaAPH), the West African Institute of Public Health (@WAIPH_News) in collaboration with the International Society for Media in Public Health (@ISMPHNG ), is proud to announce Ojoma Akor (@ojaytweet) as the recipient of the inaugural @MojiMakanjuMFR Public Health Journalism Award. This prestigious honour recognises her exceptional contributions to health reporting, showcasing her dedication to promoting health literacy and informed decision-making in Nigeria and across Africa. A Champion of Health Journalism @ojaytweet , Editor of Health and Science Africa and former Health Editor of @daily_trust , has over a decade of experience in health journalism, investigative reporting, and media advocacy. Her work spans critical topics such as health financing, Universal Health Coverage (#UHC), nutrition, and infectious and non-communicable diseases. Her impactful storytelling has earned her numerous international and national awards, including the International Centre for Journalists (@ICFJ) global nutrition contest and the Emerging Health Technologies (EHT) Media award. She is also an alumna of the prestigious Design Equity and Action Leadership (#DEAL) Fellowship , the top tier of the Young Professionals in Public Health Programme (#YPPH) of @ThewaAPH. A Trailblazer in Public Health Reporting Ojoma's commitment to public health journalism extends beyond reporting. She is President of Journalists Against Cancer (JAC) Nigeria and volunteers with the End Cervical Cancer Nigeria Initiative (#ECCNI). She has participated in key advisory roles, including the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer and the UHC2030 forum. Her expertise has been sought at prominent conferences, such as the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (@IASLC ) Pan-Africa Conference and @UNICEF's polio eradication dialogue. Elevating Health Journalism The Moji Makanjuola Public Health Journalism Award celebrates outstanding young journalists who excel in health reporting, promoting informed public discourse and policy decisions. This award, to be presented at the APH Annual Conference on November 24th, 2025, in Abuja, acknowledges Ojoma Akor's tireless efforts to amplify critical health issues and inspire action. Join us in congratulating Ojoma Akor on this well-deserved recognition, and let's continue to champion public health journalism for a healthier Africa! @ohanyidof @muhammadpate @nighealthwatch @UHC2030 @MojiMakanjuMFR @NTANewsNow @NUJNIGERIA @Fmohnigeria @NphcdaNG @WHONigeria @OoasWaho @AfricaCDC @HeDPAC_health @WHOAFRO

Registration for the SayAMR Language Hackathon is still open! This initiative aims to break language barriers in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by translating this important concept into various languages, including Pidgin English, Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba. By improving understanding within indigenous communities, we increase the awareness and capacity of the community members to avoid harmful practices that contribute to the spread of AMR. Are you excited? Click the link to register for the hackathon: drasatrust.org/sayamr-hackath… If you have any questions, stay tuned for another information session on Tuesday, November 11th. Click the link to attend: forms.gle/oNhS2drpk2X5L9… #SayAMR #SimplifyingAMR #SayAMRLanguageHackathon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Academy of Public Health Announces Prestigious Director-General's Fellows List 2025 Abuja, Nigeria - The Academy of Public Health (The APH) ⚕️ is delighted to announce the 2025 Director-General's Fellows List, recognising 30 outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to public health in Africa and beyond. This esteemed group of professionals has demonstrated exceptional leadership, scholarship, and dedication to advancing public health. The 2025 DG's List features a remarkable collective of individuals who are shaping the future of public health through innovative solutions, research, and community-driven initiatives. Notably, many of these fellows are making a significant impact in health technology integration, harnessing the power of digital solutions to improve health outcomes and strengthen health systems. "We are honoured to celebrate the achievements of these exceptional individuals, who are transforming the field of public health through their work," said Dr @ohanyidof , FAPH, Director-General of @WAIPH_News . "Their dedication to improving health outcomes is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and leadership in public health." The hybrid induction ceremony and conference will be hosted on 24th November 2025 at the prestigious Yar Adua Center in Abuja, Nigeria. This year's event promises to be an exciting and thought-provoking experience, with @ProfJanabi , Regional Director of @WHOAFRO , delivering the keynote address. It will also include the induction of @muhammadpate , @_dinotshe @laktarr001 and @agnesbinagwaho into the Distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Public Health (#DFAPH). The Director-General's Fellows List is a testament to the exceptional work being done in public health across Africa. These individuals have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise, and commitment to improving health outcomes, and their contributions are transforming the field of public health. Key Areas of Focus Some of the key areas of focus for this year's cohort include: - Health Technology Integration - Public Health Leadership - Research and Scholarship About the Fellow Academy of Public Health (FAPH) Established in 2015, Fellow of The Academy of Public Health (FAPH) award is a prestigious recognition of outstanding contributions to public health in Africa and beyond. . DG's List: 1. Kokou ALINON 2. Baba Ahmed 3. BRIAN O'CONNOR 4. Brice Bicaba 5. @cyrilseck 6. Edwin Nwobodo 7. @drezeanolue 8. Elsheikh Badr 9. Frances DaCosta Vroom 10. Ghislain Kouematchoua 11. Gilbert Shetak 12. Akyala Ishaku 13. @ProfJulioRAKOT1 14. @ktulenko 15. Ladidi Aiyegbusi 16. @ltsague 17. @lanomnac 18. Lul Pout Riek 19. Mary Nana Ama Brantuo 20. @MEtiebetMD 21. @mazmazli 22. Onyekachi C. Subah 23. Osita Okonkwo 24. Rowena Luk 25. Steven Wanyee 26. Temitope ILORI 27. Timi Omole 28. Tom Coleman 29. Tom Oluoch 30. @vlokossou

Today, the Pharm PrEP Nigeria Pharmacy Providers’ Training officially kicked off in Abuja, with participants diving into insightful sessions on HIV prevention, PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), and the pharmacy-based care model. The two-day training continues and ends tomorrow.

WHO Representative @DrPavelUrsu met with Dr @k_ohiri, Director General of @nhia_nigeria, to advance WHO–Nigeria collaboration on health financing reforms. Efforts are focusing on: ✅ Expanding and enhancing Nigeria’s mandatory health insurance model ✅ Increasing enrolment and coverage ✅ Protecting vulnerable populations ✅ Improving service quality ✅ Ensuring long-term sustainability These efforts are key to achieving Universal Health Coverage and strengthening Primary Health Care in Nigeria. #UHC #PHC #HealthFinancing #Nigeria

Thank you @TheWaaph⚕️for the Award. With gratitude & humility this is for #GlobalHealth, #Africa & the 🌍. Congratulations to my fellow awardees @muhammadpate, @_dinotshe & @agnesbinagwaho. To a more equitable health care system. #UntilWeAreAllSafe @VillageReach @ohanyidof @WHO

Fellows Unite: Culture, Camaraderie, and Public Health Excellence at Africa HealthTech Summit 2025 The adage "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" could not be more fitting for the Fellows of @TheWaaph, a group recognised as the gold standard for public health leadership on the continent, for their work and impact in the domain. Read more linkedin.com/feed/update/ur…

How do we reach the people who are still under-reached? “By strengthening what works, elevating what matters and creating the space for collaboration across every level.” #UntilWeAreAllSafe - Dr Ahmed Ogwell villagereach.org/2025/08/05/vil…

🌍 The 75th WHO Regional Committee for Africa (@WHOAFRO) kicks off today in Lusaka, Zambia! 🇿🇲 Ministers from 47 African countries are meeting to shape the future of health policy across the continent—building strong systems to sustain disease elimination, including NTDs. #RC75 #WHOAFRO #BeatNTDs

Last Tuesday, I was warmly welcomed by my good sister @AtokiMories, the CEO of @abchealthafrica at their office in Lagos. We had very rich discussions about our partnership as well as the forthcoming #CEORoundtable at @AfricaHTSummit at Kigali. Many great things coming . @TheWaaph @africacdc @AlikoDangoteFdn @APHCF_info @nsengimanajp @gatesfoundation

@ProfJanabi @MohamedFall @UN_Nigeria @WHO @WHONigeria Great to have you in Nigeria, my RD @ProfJanabi . Your energy and commitment post-RC75 sends a powerful message. Great to see you and my Oga @MohamedFall. Wishing you an impactful visit.