AGP Executive Report

Guinea Disaster Response: Heavy rains triggered a deadly landfill collapse in Conakry’s Dar-es-Salam (Gbessia), killing at least 34 people and injuring 33, with 17 Sierra Leoneans confirmed dead and 54 Sierra Leoneans reported among survivors; authorities say recovery and identification are ongoing and displaced families will be rehoused. Ebola Watch (Regional): In eastern DR Congo, Ebola has surged to 60 affected health zones after spreading to Biena and Manguredjipa in North Kivu; officials report 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths, and the country has started vaccinating frontline workers with Ervebo while trials continue for the Bundibugyo strain. Health Funding & Access: WHO is calling for a six-month humanitarian truce in DR Congo to reach isolated communities and break transmission, warning that lack of access—not tools—keeps the outbreak growing. Public Health Policy: An ECOWAS meeting in Conakry focused on using tobacco excise taxes to protect health and raise revenue, citing major tobacco deaths and second-hand smoke harm across West Africa.

Ebola Response in DRC: Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has surged into two new health zones—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing affected areas to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths; officials cite insecurity, displacement, a health-worker strike, and major population movement as containment struggles mount, while Congo begins vaccinating frontline workers with Ervebo and WHO warns the outbreak could surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa toll. Guinea Disaster Update: In Conakry, Guinea’s landfill collapse death toll has risen to 34, with 33 injured, after heavy rains triggered the Dar es Salam garbage dump to collapse onto nearby homes; authorities say Sierra Leonean victims were among those killed and plans include mass burial and rehousing about 1,500 families. Regional Health Policy: WHO says Africa is still making health gains despite deep funding cuts, highlighting progress on disease elimination and treatment coverage across several countries, including Guinea.

Ebola in DR Congo: The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history keeps surging. Congo’s health ministry says it has spread to two more health zones—Biena and Manguredjipa in North Kivu—bringing affected areas to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths; WHO warns it’s still out of control, with insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike, and population movement making containment harder. Vaccination push: DR Congo has started vaccinating frontline health workers using Ervebo (licensed for a different Ebola strain), while clinical trials continue to find a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain driving this outbreak. Guinea landfill tragedy: In Conakry, Guinea’s landfill collapse death toll rose to 34 with 33 more injured, after heavy rains triggered a massive garbage mound collapse that destroyed nearby homes; authorities plan mass burial and rehousing for about 1,500 families. Sickle cell care in West Africa: Senegal reports progress toward cheaper access to hydroxyurea, with a first Africa-made generic aiming to reduce painful crises and hospitalisations for patients who have long depended on expensive imported medicine.

Ebola Response in DRC: The Democratic Republic of the Congo has started vaccinating front-line health workers against Ebola, with more than 50,000 doses received, though the vaccine is licensed for a different strain and effectiveness against the current Bundibugyo variant is still being tested. Guinea Disaster Update: In Conakry, Guinea’s deadly Dar es Salam landfill collapse has now killed 34 people and injured 33, with authorities planning mass burial and rehousing for about 1,500 families after heavy rains triggered the waste mound to collapse. Public Health Funding Pressure: WHO leaders say Africa is still making health gains despite sharp cuts to global health financing, highlighting progress on disease control and treatment coverage even as services face disruption. Sickle Cell Treatment Hope (West Africa): Senegal’s Teranga Pharma says it is producing an Africa-made generic hydroxyurea, aiming to cut costs and improve access to the WHO-recommended treatment for painful sickle cell crises. Health & Safety in Migration: Mauritania rescued 161 migrants at sea, including 17 children, after engine failure left people without water and food—another reminder of the health risks tied to dangerous crossings.

Guinea Health & Safety: Conakry’s Dar es Salam landfill collapse is now officially at 34 deaths and 33 injuries after heavy rains buried homes, with authorities planning mass burial and rehousing about 1,500 families—survivors say warnings about the unstable dump were ignored. Ebola Watch (Regional): Uganda declared its Ebola outbreak over after 42 days without new cases, while the WHO warns the DRC response still faces major access and funding gaps. Sickle Cell (West Africa): Senegal’s Teranga Pharma says it has begun producing Africa-made generic hydroxyurea, aiming to cut costs and reduce painful crises and hospitalisations for patients who often rely on expensive imported treatment. Public Health Policy: WHO says Africa has still made health gains despite deep funding cuts, highlighting progress on TB and other disease targets. Community & Wellness: A childhood activity study (in birds) suggests early movement could improve how efficiently bodies move later—an idea researchers want to test in people.

Guinea Health & Safety: Conakry’s Dar es Salam landfill collapse after heavy rains has killed 34 people and injured 33, with authorities saying families will be rehoused and mass burial planned; survivors and residents allege warnings were ignored and that eviction plans didn’t protect people living near the dump. Sickle Cell Care (West Africa): Senegal’s Teranga Pharma says it has started producing the first Africa-made generic hydroxyurea, aiming to cut costs and reduce painful crises, hospitalisations, transfusions, and early death for the millions affected. Ebola Watch (Regional): WHO is urging a six-month humanitarian truce in the DRC to reach isolated communities and break transmission as cases surpass 5,500 and deaths climb, while Uganda’s outbreak is declared over. Public Health Policy: WHO’s Africa chief says the continent is still making health gains despite deep funding cuts, highlighting progress on HIV, TB, and disease elimination milestones. Community & Wellness: A Conakry ECOWAS tobacco-tax meeting focused on using excise duties to protect public health and reduce tobacco harm.

Guinea Health & Safety: Conakry’s Dar es Salam landfill disaster is worsening: Guinea’s health minister says the death toll has risen to 34, with 33 injured (six seriously), after heavy rains triggered a rubbish mound collapse that destroyed nearby homes; authorities plan mass burial and rehousing for about 1,500 families, and residents say warnings were ignored. Ebola Response in the Region: The WHO is calling for a six-month humanitarian truce in the DRC to intensify Ebola control, citing access barriers as the main problem while cases and deaths keep climbing. Sickle Cell Treatment Access: A Senegalese company reports the first Africa-made generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell, aiming to cut costs and reduce painful crises and hospitalisations—an important signal for West Africa’s medicine supply. Public Health Policy: ECOWAS tax officials in Conakry discussed using tobacco excise harmonisation to protect health and raise revenue, with Guinea facing thousands of tobacco-related deaths annually.

Landfill Disaster in Conakry: Guinea’s health authorities say the Dar es Salam landfill collapse has killed 34 people and injured 33 others, with six seriously hurt, after heavy rains triggered the rubbish mound to collapse onto nearby homes; officials report victims included Sierra Leoneans, and the government plans mass burial and rehousing for about 1,500 displaced families while rescue teams continue. Sickle Cell Treatment Hope (Senegal): A Senegalese lab is producing affordable generic hydroxyurea, a WHO-recommended “gold standard” medicine that can cut painful crises, hospitalisations, transfusions, and deaths—potentially easing access across West Africa where many patients rely on costly imports. Regional Health Progress (WHO): WHO says Africa is still making major disease-control gains despite deep cuts to global health funding, citing milestones in countries including Guinea and continued progress on HIV and tuberculosis care. Public Health Policy (ECOWAS Tobacco Tax): ECOWAS talks in Conakry focused on using tobacco excise taxes to protect lives and raise revenue, highlighting tobacco’s major health toll including second-hand smoke impacts. Ebola Watch (DRC): The DRC reports Ebola cases have surpassed 5,500 with nearly 2,650 deaths, as international calls for stronger support and vaccination efforts continue.

Guinea Disaster Response: Heavy rains triggered a deadly landfill collapse in Conakry’s Dar-es-Salam area, killing at least 30–31 people and injuring about 22 (including six seriously). Rescue teams with excavators and military support are still searching, while the government says medical care is being provided (notably at Donka University Hospital) and families near the site are to be evacuated; survivors and residents also claim officials ignored earlier warnings. Public Health Under Pressure: WHO says Africa is still making health gains despite the sharpest cuts to global health funding in a generation, citing milestones in disease elimination and continued delivery of essential medicines; Guinea is listed among countries reaching major milestones. Regional Health Policy: In Conakry, ECOWAS and partners discussed how to use tobacco excise taxes to protect public health while raising revenue, pointing to tobacco’s major death toll and second-hand smoke harms. Ebola Watch (DRC): The DRC Ebola outbreak has surpassed 5,500 confirmed cases with nearly 2,650 deaths as WHO and leaders call for stronger international support and faster response.

Waste Disaster in Conakry: Heavy rains triggered a deadly landfill collapse at Dar-es-Salam in Conakry, killing at least 30 people (reports up to 31) and injuring 22, with rescue teams still searching and Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visiting the scene; residents say warnings were ignored and families near the dump were not fully evacuated. Ebola Alarm in DRC: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak keeps worsening, with confirmed cases reported above 5,500 and deaths near 2,650; Pope Leo XIV urged stronger international support as health systems struggle to reach people early. Drug Access Pressure: Swiss non-profit drugmakers say waning funding is threatening development of new treatments for neglected diseases, raising concerns about access in low- and middle-income countries. Public Health Basics: A new explainer highlights how Ebola spreads, its incubation period, and why early isolation matters. Regional Health Policy Signal: ECOWAS tax officials met in Conakry to discuss tobacco excise harmonisation aimed at protecting public health and raising revenue.

Conakry Landfill Disaster: Heavy rains triggered a deadly collapse at the Dar-es-Salam landfill in Conakry early Sunday, burying homes in the Bbessia area. Guinea’s government says at least 30 people died, with six seriously injured and others hurt; Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site as rescue teams, including the Red Cross and medical staff, searched for anyone still trapped and recovered bodies. Community Warning Ignored: Residents say locals had warned authorities about the dump’s danger and that promised closures/evictions did not fully protect families still living nearby, fueling anger and grief in the neighborhood. DRC Ebola Update: Across the border, the DRC reports Ebola has surpassed 5,500 confirmed cases with about 2,642 deaths and a fatality rate near 48%, as response teams continue efforts in affected provinces. Public Health Workforce Strain (DRC): Frontline health workers describe stress and unpaid wages at Ebola treatment centers, highlighting how funding and staffing gaps can weaken outbreak control.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 5,514 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,642 deaths, with a fatality rate of 47.9%, as new positives continue to rise across Ituri, North Kivu and Haut-Uele. Guinea Disaster Watch: Heavy rains in Conakry triggered a deadly landfill landslide in the Dar-es-Salam area (Bbessia/Gbessia), killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens; Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site as search-and-rescue teams and medical care—especially at Donka National Hospital—were mobilized. Public Health & Work Safety: Frontline Ebola workers in the DRC report fear, stress, and delayed pay, highlighting how workforce support can make or break outbreak control. Guinea Health Context: The Conakry dump collapse also raises urgent concerns for injury care, emergency response capacity, and sanitation risks after major waste-site disasters.

Public Health & Safety: A deadly landslide struck Conakry’s Dar-es-Salam rubbish dump early Sunday after heavy overnight rains, killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens; Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site as rescue teams searched for anyone still buried and many injured were taken to Donka University Hospital. Health System Strain (Region): While Guinea faces its own disaster, the wider region is battling escalating Ebola in DR Congo, with WHO and partners warning the outbreak is spreading fast and pushing health services to breaking point. Nutrition & Food Security (Region): Reports also note that even where headline inflation eases, food prices can stay high—an issue that can quickly worsen malnutrition risk. Policy & Prevention (Region): Guinea’s bid to host major AFCON events in 2032/2036 signals growing national planning capacity, but health-focused disaster preparedness remains urgent.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: WHO and Africa CDC reports say the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak is spreading fast, with deaths now above 2,300 and a fatality rate reported over 46%, while health services are strained and frontline workers face fear and attacks. Vaccine Push: WHO has allocated 70,000 Ervebo doses to the DRC, including 20,000 for a late-stage trial to test cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain and 50,000 for frontline workers, with Gavi funding shipment and vaccination support. Aid Funding Gap: Médecins Sans Frontières warns Canada’s $8m response is far behind other donors, as UN officials say existing funds may run out within weeks. Guinea Health & Policy Link: Guinea’s government submitted bids to host AFCON in 2032 or 2036, a reminder that major events can shape public health planning and health system readiness. Nutrition & Food Safety: New research highlights microplastics in fish from Ghana’s Gulf of Guinea coast, raising public health concerns about what ends up in the food chain.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: WHO has sent 70,000 Ervebo doses to the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 20,000 for a late-stage trial to test cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain and 50,000 for frontline health workers, as the outbreak keeps accelerating and aid funding worries grow. Frontline Health Workers Under Strain: Reports from Bunia describe Ebola treatment staff facing fear, illness, and unpaid wages, while facilities and ambulances are attacked—raising the risk of wider spread. Guinea in the Spotlight: Guinea has submitted bids to host AFCON 2032 or 2036, aiming to position the country for major international events. Health & Family Planning Research: A qualitative study highlights attitudes of health workers toward immediate postpartum family planning, pointing to gaps that can affect access to contraception right after birth. Food Systems Focus: Rwanda hosts the Africa Food Systems Forum, with leaders pushing investment and jobs to strengthen agri-food resilience—an issue closely tied to nutrition and public health. Guinea–Vietnam Cooperation: Guinea and Vietnam signed a cooperation MOU to expand planning and development collaboration.

Ebola Frontline Strain in DRC: In Bunia and Ituri, Ebola workers say cases keep pouring in and some colleagues have died—while frontline staff report they’re not being paid, adding fear and stress to an already overwhelmed response. Ebola Response Under Pressure: UN officials warn the outbreak is spreading faster than containment, with deaths now above 2,500 and healthcare workers also falling ill; MSF says donor funding is far behind the 2014 response. Vaccine Push: WHO has allocated 70,000 Ervebo doses for DRC, including 20,000 for a phase 3 trial on cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain and 50,000 for frontline workers, with Gavi funding shipment and vaccination support. Guinea Health & Policy Link: Guinea’s government also moved on international cooperation—signing a Vietnam ministry MOU—while Guinea’s broader IMF and economic context remains in the news, relevant for health system financing. Food Systems Focus: Rwanda hosts the Africa Food Systems Forum, spotlighting investment and resilience in agri-food systems that affect nutrition and health outcomes. Sports With Public Interest: Guinea submitted bids to host AFCON in 2032 or 2036.