Health news from Africa summarised in English: epidemics, public health, hospitals, accidents and natural disasters, from the local press. 186 articles published.
Updated around the clock from 400+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
A 14-year-old pupil was arrested after shooting and injuring the principal and a teacher at Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, southern France. Both victims were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries, while pupils were sheltered, according to Mayor Jean-Pierre Squillari and the Education Ministry.
Source: Theghanareport
Neurologist Élodie Gouba explains that brain fatigue results from prolonged intellectual effort and overstimulation, particularly from screens and notifications. She says working memory becomes overloaded by multitasking and that glutamate accumulation can disrupt brain connections, according to Lefaso.net.
Source: Lefaso
A Somali MP who fell ill during a session was evacuated by ambulance from Parliament in Mogadishu. House speaker Cabdulqaadir Maxamed Nuur confirmed the evacuation and defended salary deductions targeting absent lawmakers, reports Caasimada Online.
Source: Caasimada Online
The Association of Journalists for Mental Health in Togo, created on 7 March 2026, is chaired by Germain Doubidji. It aims to train journalists, combat stigma and improve media coverage of mental disorders by promoting rigorous and respectful reporting, according to Togotopnews.
Source: Togotopnews
A fire aboard the Chambo, which connected Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi on Lake Niassa, killed three people and left 40 survivors. A multisectoral team is investigating the incident, which may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, according to Lake district administrator José Achida, quoted by Jornal Notícias.
Source: Jornalnoticias
Storm Erin brought 287 millimetres of rain in seven hours to Calhau, Cape Verde, more than twice São Vicente’s usual annual rainfall. The absence of an official alert highlights gaps in preparedness for events expected to intensify, according to Expresso das Ilhas.
Source: Expresso das Ilhas
Some Lilongwe residents go months without running water and turn to shallow wells vulnerable to contamination. The lack of safe drinking water has made Bridget Msumali ill, while the Lilongwe Water Board cites population growth, Mwnation reports.
Source: Mwnation
Zambia’s Health Minister Roma Chilengi says health planning for 2027 should anticipate floods and droughts linked to El Niño. The country already links climate data to monitoring malaria and childhood diarrhoea, she said in Lusaka, according to the Daily Mail.
Source: Daily Mail
General Issaka Koty Yakoub and health officials donated blood at Mao Provincial Hospital in Kanem province to strengthen supplies for transfusions. The operation took place on 10 October 2026 during a provincial health meeting, according to Tchadinfos.
Source: Tchadinfos
Namibia’s High Court criticised the Central Procurement Board for giving insufficient reasons for cancelling a tender linked to a veterinary fence against foot-and-mouth disease. Judge Boas Usiku nevertheless refused to suspend the works, citing the public health and economic emergency, Observer24 reports.
Source: Observer24
A 43-year-old worker died on 8 October in Ambohimangakely after a crowbar came loose while a well was being dug and pierced his heart. The accident happened at about 4.40pm in Andafiavaratra, in the fokontany of Ambohidehilahy, Midi Madagasikara reports.
Source: Midi Madagasikara
A 27-year-old veterinary medicine seller was shot at the Tanambao V bus station in Toamasina during an attack by two masked men. The attackers reportedly fired after demanding money, Midi Madagasikara reports.
Source: Midi Madagasikara
Algeria’s Ministry of Health and US biotechnology group Amgen have signed a memorandum of understanding on preventing cardiovascular diseases. The agreement provides for awareness campaigns on risk factors and health promotion, according to Yasmine Aït Yahia, Amgen Algeria’s managing director.
Source: Algérie 360
Fifty-two professionals from eight African countries have completed six months of theoretical and practical training in epidemic response in Burkina Faso. All passed and now master case-management protocols and emergency health intervention strategies, according to Lefaso.
Source: Lefaso
The fire at GOICO Plaza, which housed Musanze market in Rwanda, destroyed goods valued at more than 30 billion Rwandan francs; the building is estimated at 17 billion. These preliminary figures, provided by the Northern Province governor to the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, remain under assessment, while the government promises to help traders resume their activities.
Source: Taarifa
The Rotary Club Abidjan Akwaba has launched a free breast and cervical cancer awareness and screening campaign in Béoumi, targeting around 2,000 women. The Pink October initiative will also support participants requiring treatment, according to AIP.
Source: Aip
The Rwandan government has reserved more than 600 commercial spaces for traders displaced after the Goico market fire in Musanze so they can resume their activities. Ministers Dominique Habimana and Antoine Kajangwe met the traders and authorities are continuing to look for premises, according to Ktpress.
Source: Ktpress
A man died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster in northern England. Police evacuated the park and closed it for the weekend to investigate the circumstances of the attack, British police report.
Source: La Nouvelle Tribune
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