World Health Day 2026 highlights science for health in Africa.

WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi marked World Health Day 2026 by urging renewed investment in science and African-led innovation, citing progress such as Ebola vaccine deployment and genomic sequencing in South Africa. He reported that gaps remain in research funding, surveillance and equitable access to technologies.

On World Health Day 2026, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, delivered a message calling for solidarity under the theme "Together for health. Stand with science." He said decades of scientific progress have produced longer lives, prevention and life-saving treatments and that African science is contributing practical solutions to regional and global health challenges. He highlighted examples of locally rooted research and partnerships that shaped responses to outbreaks and pandemic threats. Dr Janabi also noted persistent gaps in funding, surveillance and early warning capacities across the Region. Key points: - The message emphasizes the global call "Together for health. Stand with science," as presented by Dr Mohamed Janabi. - Rapid development and deployment of Ebola vaccines in West and Central Africa is cited as an example of local research informing response. - Genomic sequencing in South Africa enabled early identification of new COVID-19 variants, informing broader responses. - WHO-supported mRNA vaccine technology transfer hubs are being established to enable local vaccine production. - Forty-six countries have developed National Action Plans for Health Security, and every Member State has a National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. - Funding for research and innovation remains limited, and surveillance and early warning systems are uneven across the Region. Summary: Dr Janabi called for increased domestic investment in science, research and innovation and for international partners to strengthen support for African-led science and equitable partnerships. He said that advancing universal health, resilience, modernization and country ownership depends on better funding, workforce capacity, digital innovation and wider access to technologies.