Every April, Africa observes African Vaccination Week, a crucial occasion for raising awareness about the significance of vaccination and highlighting its indispensable role in safeguarding public health. The theme for this year, 2024, “Humanly Possible,” serves as a reminder to leaders and communities alike of the imperative to maintain the progress achieved and to bolster funding towards vaccination efforts, thereby averting the resurgence of preventable diseases.

Over the past 50 years, vaccines have saved nearly 154 million lives, equating to over 3 million lives per year or six lives every minute for five decades. During the same period, vaccination has reduced infant mortality by 40%, according to WHO figures.

“Vaccination is one of the most effective, safest, and accessible public health interventions globally,” stated Dr. Rachel Tanou during the launch ceremony of the Here Zaka CSO activities series, on the sidelines of the 2024 African Vaccination Week. “It has saved millions of lives and eradicated devastating diseases such as smallpox. Vaccines not only protect individuals but also entire communities by fostering herd immunity, which prevents diseases from spreading.”

Ten years after the signing of ground-breaking licensing agreements between ViiV Healthcare and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), as well as ViiV’s direct agreements with Aurobindo Pharma, more than 1 billion packs of generic dolutegravir (DTG) based medicines have reached 24 million people living with HIV in 128 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), transforming the HIV landscape in those areas of the world. This means that as of 2023, over 90% of people on antiretroviral treatment in these countries are estimated to be on DTG-based regimens.

Thanks to this decade-long partnership, WHO-recommended treatment can be developed, produced, and when approved, supplied by 15 generic manufacturers to all low-income, least developed, lower-middle-income and sub-Saharan African countries, as well as some upper middle-income countries, addressing the needs of regions with the highest HIV burdens.

Charles Gore, Executive Director, Medicines Patent Pool said, “As we reflect on a decade of collaboration with ViiV Healthcare, we are proud to see that public health-oriented voluntary licensing has had tangible impact in the lives of the people we serve, enabling access to affordable versions of innovative HIV treatments in LMICs.”

COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber addressed the ‘First Meeting of the Board of the Fund for responding to loss and damage’ and urged Parties to “build on progress” and deliver “lasting, positive, socio-economic impact” to help the most vulnerable to climate change.

During his address, Dr. Al Jaber said that while delivering an agreement to operationalize the Fund at COP28 was a “huge breakthrough for climate progress” more needs to be done.

The COP28 President said: “Let’s make sure we build on that progress with a fully functioning fund. A Fund that is endorsed at COP29 in Baku, a Fund that is disbursing funds soon after and a Fund that delivers lasting, positive, socio-economic impact for decades to come.”

Loss and damage was first put on the COP agenda in 1991 and that “while it took over three decades to establish this Fund, climate change has not stood still. Every region of the world is now vulnerable…the impacts of climate change are a clear and present danger to lives and livelihoods everywhere.”

Infinix Mobile, a global leader in mobile technology, proudly announces the successful conclusion of the week-long student talent contest in partnership with the renowned Addis Ababa University (AAU) Culture Center. The event, which showcased the remarkable abilities of young student artists and performers, exemplifying Infinix’s commitment to empowering youth worldwide.

The talent contest, held over the past week, featured students competing in singing, poetry, and theater categories. Participants from diverse backgrounds demonstrated their creativity, passion, and dedication, making it a celebration of artistic expression and cultural diversity. The AAU Culture Center provided an ideal platform for these emerging talents to shine and connect with a wider audience.

The closing event, held at the Addis Ababa University Culture Center auditorium, was attended by esteemed guests, including senior representatives from the university, local influencers, celebrities, and thousands of enthusiastic students.

The winners of each category were awarded the sleek and powerful Infinix HOT 40 Pro smartphones. These cutting-edge devices symbolize not only victory but also the promise of limitless possibilities. Our distinguished guest of honor personally handed over the HOT 40 phones, inspiring the winners to continue pursuing their passions.