Health news from Africa summarised in English: epidemics, public health, hospitals, accidents and natural disasters, from the local press. 294 articles published.
Updated around the clock from 400+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
Zambian police have arrested a 24-year-old farmer after the body of 18-year-old pupil Grace Japao was found in bushland in Lufwanyama. The suspect was wearing bloodstained clothing and had the victim’s phone, according to commissioner Rae Hamoonga, cited by Diggers.
Source: Diggers
Limoges town hall was ravaged by fire during French protests against the rising cost of living, with its roof collapsing and around two-thirds of its façade destroyed. The Interior Ministry also recorded around 550,000 protesters and 400 arrests, according to Euronews and the French authorities.
Source: Beninwebtv
Ahora EG warns about the allegedly unhygienic condition of a restaurant kitchen in Bata, after images showed accumulated dirt and poorly maintained utensils. The newspaper says the situation should revive debate on the priority given to public health.
Source: Ahora EG
A South African cancer specialist says the rise in diagnoses may also reflect better detection of tumours once found late or not at all. She recalls the experience of a breast clinic in Soweto, established more than 30 years ago, which received up to 150 patients a week, according to her testimony published by Daily Maverick.
Source: Daily Maverick
Kenya confirmed four new Ebola infections, including three healthcare workers, bringing the national total to seven after the death of the first patient. The four patients were already in quarantine and 128 of the 130 identified contacts had been traced, according to Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth and Kenya’s Ministry of Health.
Source: Mediacongo
Suspended dust is expected to reduce visibility in six regions of Mali on 18 October 2026, while isolated thunderstorms are forecast, including in Bamako. The national agency MALI-METEO bulletin also predicts localised rain in several southern and central regions of the country.
Source: Mali Actu
Congolese specialist Steve Ahuka Mundeke travelled to Beni, in North Kivu, to meet health teams and partners mobilised against Ebola. His mission focuses on operational difficulties, care needs and coordinating the response, reports Lepotentiel.
Source: Lepotentiel
Lesotho’s Parliament has funded the creation of a national cancer centre, Health Minister Mamokete Ntšekhe announced. The project is intended to improve screening and limit costly medical evacuations abroad, while breast cancer remains common among women in the country, reports the Sunday Express.
Source: Sunday Express
Four civilians were killed and several others injured when a Sudanese army drone targeted their vehicle near Ankouch, in West Kordofan state, according to the Kordofan Observatory. The passengers were travelling from Abu Qalb locality to Al-Mazroub, in North Kordofan, to receive medical care and buy essential goods, reports Sudan Tribune.
Source: Sudantribune
China’s hospital ship Jixiang Fanzhou carried out nearly 2,000 consultations during its first three days in Ivory Coast, according to Chinese ambassador Wu Jie. Its teams are also working at Abidjan military hospital and Félix-Houphouët-Boigny University during a scheduled stop from 14 to 21 October, the AIP reports.
Source: Aip
Senegalese Director of Maternal and Child Health Dr Amadou Doucouré has announced the forthcoming opening of the country’s first public assisted reproductive technology centre at Dalal Jamm Hospital in Guédiawaye. Secondary centres are also planned in the regions to bring these services closer to couples concerned, according to remarks he made at a workshop held on 15 and 16 October 2026.
Source: Seneweb
Kenya now has seven confirmed Ebola cases, including three healthcare workers, while the KMPDU medical union accuses the authorities of excluding doctors from preparedness and response efforts. Its secretary-general, Davji Atellah, is demanding suitable protective equipment and threatens to suspend services over payment arrears, according to Tuko.
Source: Tuko
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health trained 20 laboratory professionals from Freetown and the provinces in malaria diagnosis over five days. The session in Lakka covered microscopy, rapid tests and quality assurance, according to Sierraloaded, with support from Catholic Relief Services and AMREF.
Source: Sierraloaded
The Chinese hospital ship Ark of Good Fortune provided free medical consultations on 16 October at Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan. The operation is part of Mission Harmony 2026, aimed at strengthening healthcare cooperation between China and Ivory Coast, reports the Ivorian Press Agency.
Source: Aip
Sierra Leone is asking China to support the modernisation of the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Jui and the construction of a permanent headquarters for its public health agency. Minister Austin Demby presented these priorities during a meeting with China’s National Health Commission, according to Sierraloaded.
Source: Sierraloaded
The article links to content about violence during protests against the high cost of living in France on 17 October 2026. The available preview provides no detailed factual information beyond its headline, Comores Infos reports.
Source: Comores Infos
The North Kivu provincial government will suspend classes, religious services and non-essential activities on Monday for a day devoted to fighting Ebola. Transport and the entry of people from Ituri will also be regulated, according to a decision made public on 17 October by the Congolese provincial authorities.
Source: Lepotentiel
A delegation from the European Union, Unicef and the Namibian government assessed pre-primary education, nutrition and health programmes supported in the Kunene region. Only 17% of children in the region attend a pre-primary centre, compared with 24% nationally, The Namibian reports.
Source: The Namibian
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