Dr. Kibachio J. Mwangi; MD, PhD.

Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. More than 720,000 people die by suicide every year. Behind every number is a person, a family, friends, colleagues and a community profoundly affected by that loss. The 2024–2026 theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” challenges us to move from silence, stigma and misunderstanding towards openness, empathy and action. This year, the call is simple but powerful: START THE CONVERSATION. But changing the narrative must go beyond conversation. It must also change systems, policies and services. @WHO ’s LIVE LIFE approach (sl1nk.com/czdmwhj) provides four evidence-based interventions for suicide prevention: L - Limit access to the means of suicide I - Interact with media for responsible reporting of suicide F - Foster socio-emotional life skills in young people E - Early identification and support for everyone affected by suicide and self-harm These interventions need an enabling system around them: good data and situation analysis; multisectoral collaboration; awareness and advocacy; capacity building; sustainable financing; and strong surveillance, monitoring and evaluation. Suicide prevention therefore cannot be the responsibility of the health sector alone. It requires families, communities, schools, workplaces, media, civil society and governments working together. @WHOSouthAfrica in partnership with @HealthZA and all our Mental health stakeholders, we are working towards policies, services, communities and systems that ensure the conversation leads to support, care and hope.... in essence, we are creating environments where people can say, “I am struggling,” without fear of judgement and know that someone will listen, support them and connect them to appropriate care. Suicides are preventable - So today, let us start the conversation. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2026 #ChangingTheNarrative #StartTheConversation #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #LiveLife

The curtains have come down on a highly successful @WorldStrokeOrg Africa Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa co-sted by the @HealthZA and @WHOSouthAfrica and bringing together governments, clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, civil society, and development partners united by one goal: reducing the devastating burden of stroke across Africa. The conversations were rich, the science inspiring, and the commitment unmistakable. Yet the true measure of this summit will not be the quality of our discussions, but the impact of our actions. Stroke is no longer a disease of the future; it is one of Africa's fastest growing public health emergencies. Indeed, the recent adoption of WHA Resolution 79.10 on #Stroke was not the finish line but the starting point. The real work begins now; translating global commitments into national policies, sustainable financing, stroke-ready health systems, a skilled multidisciplinary workforce, equitable access to prevention, acute care and rehabilitation, and measurable improvements in the lives of people at risk of, living with, and recovering from stroke. A resolution changes little on its own; implementation is what changes lives and livelihoods. One of the most moving moments of the summit came from stroke survivors themselves, who reminded us that surviving a stroke is only the beginning of the journey. Their message was clear: "We are grateful to have survived but what comes next matters just as much." Survival without access to rehabilitation, assistive technologies, psychosocial support, reintegration into work and society, and long-term follow-up leaves many survivors living with preventable disability and diminished quality of life. As we strengthen stroke prevention and acute care, we must also ensure that every survivor has the opportunity not just to live, but to recover, participate, and thrive with dignity. The challenge before us is clear: ✅ Translate global commitments into national policies. ✅ Invest in stroke-ready health systems. ✅ Expand access to prevention, acute care, rehabilitation, and long-term support. ✅ Strengthen the health workforce and multidisciplinary stroke teams. ✅ Generate the data and evidence needed to drive accountability. ✅ Ensure that every person, regardless of where they live, has access to quality stroke care. May this summit be remembered not simply as another conference, but as the moment Africa took a stand and accelerated implementation to turn ambition into action, commitment to accountability, survival to recovery, and hope into lasting action. #WSC2026 @WHO @WHOAFRO

On this #WorldHealthDay, as we celebrate 78 years of @WHO, we are reminded that some of the greatest gains in public health have come when the world chose science, solidarity and cooperation over fear, division and misinformation. This year’s theme “Together for health. Stand with science” is both a celebration and a call to action: to protect health by choosing evidence, trusting facts, and supporting science-led solutions for people, animals, plants and the planet. In a noisy and polarized world, this message matters more than ever: health decisions must be guided by EVIDENCE, not NOISE. Whether we are shaping policy, responding to outbreaks, addressing environmental threats, strengthening health systems or guiding everyday choices, science remains our most trusted path to better health outcomes. The WHO’s 2026 WHD campaign specifically calls on governments, scientists, health workers, partners and the public to stand with science, rebuild trust, and secure a healthier future. With @HealthZA, this call resonates deeply. As we commemorate this day, we are glad to partner with SouthAfrica to reaffirm that health is a fundamental human right, and that stronger collaboration across government, academia, research institutions, health professionals and communities is essential for fairer, safer and more effective health action. As we celebrate 🎉 WHO 78 birthday 🎂, Let us champion evidence over misinformation, facts over noise, cooperation over doubt and solidarity in the service of humanity. #StandWithScience #HealthForAll #OneHealth

Today’s launch of the Dorothy Nyembe #parkrun in Soweto was not only about the run. It was about creating a culture of wellness. It was about prevention and building communities in which healthy living is visible, accessible, safe, and inclusive. Thanks @HealthZA @WHOSouthAfrica and @UNICEF_SA for sending a strong message that physical activity must be promoted not only as an individual responsibility, but as a shared social good that deserves multi-sectoral partnerships, public leadership and community support.

Today on #WorldCancerDay, we stand #UnitedByUnique - Placing people at the centre of cancer care and their lived experiences at the heart of the conversation. Cancer is more than a medical diagnosis; it is a deeply personal journey. Behind every diagnosis is a unique human story of grief, pain, resilience, healing, HOPE and LOVE. The incidence of Cancer is exponentially growing in @SouthAfrica as globally in line with the unfolding epidemiological transition from infectious diseases towards #NCDs. As @WHOSouthAfrica, we are supporting the @HealthZA to rollout in the UHC context a truly people centred cancer care continuum; one that integrates each individual’s needs with compassion and empathy, delivers better health outcomes and ensures no one is lost along the way. Today we are holding a stakeholder engagement on our strategic framework on #cercicalcancer Elimination. we are working towards strong prevention, screening and early detection, timely and comprehensive treatment, survivorship and palliative care, supported by functional multidisciplinary teams across the health system. We renew our call for sustained political will, meanigful investment and coordinated action to strengthen cancer services and ensure no one is left behind. Together, we can turn commitment into impact and move decisively towards achieving the 2030 #SDG targets. 🧡🇿🇦

Its #WorldDiabetesDay. South Africa just wrapped up a successful yet emotional #diabetessummit2025 hosted by the Diabetes alliance, @WorldDiabetesF and @WHOSouthAfrica. Diabetes doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The same drivers - Unawareness, unhealthy diets, tobacco & alcohol use, physical inactivity, air pollution and fragile Primary health care demand whole-of-government action, alongside strong person-centred services. Working with @HealthZA , @WHOSouthAfrica is creating a strategic momentum built on the South Africa’s NCD Strategy (2022–2027) and the WHO Global Diabetes Compact to support prevention, early diagnosis, continuity of care, and reliable access to insulin & essential technologies. It is time to turn commitments into measurable gains! Prevention + strong PHC = impact. #WorldDiabetesDay #PHC #BeatNCDs #Diabetes #WDD2025 #HealthInAllPolicies

Today is #WorldStrokeDay with the theme 'Every Minute Counts' and indeed …time is critical in treating a stroke as the faster we act, the better the outcome. This is how you can reduce the risk of a #stroke (when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off) 🚭 Quit smoking and alcohol 🛑 Know and Control blood pressure and cholesterol ✅ Manage diabetes 🏋🏾 Watch weight 🍏 Eat healthy 🏃🏾 Exercise regularly 30 minutes a day. ⏰ in the event of a stroke- Act FAST… F – Face: sudden drooping on one side. A – Arm: sudden weakness/numbness in one arm (or leg), usually on one side. S – Speech: sudden trouble speaking or understanding. T – Time: time to get emergency help immediately. in South Africa call ☎️ 112 on any mobile line or 10177. #beatNCDs #healthforall

Despite the availability of effective diagnosis and treatment, three out of four people in low-income countries living with Epilepsy do not get the care they need. The @WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan, (IGAP) endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2021, provides us with a clear roadmap. It calls on us to ; ✅ Raise policy prioritisation ✅ Ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and other neurological conditions. ✅ Invest in prevention and brain health promotion. ✅ Strengthen data and research ✅ Approach epilepsy and other neurological disorders through a public health lens. In short, the IGAP is our collective opportunity to turn commitments into action ‼️

#IFACONF2025 #GlobalConferenceOnAgeing Leaning alot @IFAgeing conference day 2. @WHO Thiago Herick De Sa breaks down the key domains for an age friendly city including outdoor spaces, transport, housing, social participation, respect and inclusion, civic participation, communication, and health services that support active and healthy aging and improve the overall quality of life for their residents. So timely that all this is going down in @CapeTown - an age-friendly city that fosters active and healthy aging by providing environments that support health, well-being, and quality of life for older adults and people of all ages. It is indeed not just about "elderly-friendly" but rather about creating inclusive environments that allow older people to fully participate in community life.

Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) are trusted, accessible, and deeply embedded in communities - qualities that make them powerful allies for early detection, awareness creation, adherence support, and holistic care for common #NCDs. The enabling policy framework in the @HealthZA and the formal recognition of these practitioners in South Africa provides a strong foundation for this integration. #BeatNCDs #HealthForAll

Be sure to join this afternoon Session 8 of the #ICPPA2025 as we deliberate on Scaling PEN-Plus: Financing and Sustainability: The role of government and partners. Strong government leadership is vital for scaling #PENPlus across Africa—by ensuring financing, sustainability & integration into national health systems. When govts lead & partners align, lives are saved, NCD care reaches those most in need and #UHC becomes a reality! #NCDs #GlobalHealth #EndingDiseasesinAfrica #BeatNCD

So glad to be participating in the #ICPPA2025 PEN-Plus in Africa conference in Abuja supported by the @WHOAFRO , @HelmsleyTrust, @NCDIpoverty and the @NigeriaGov. The @WHO PEN-Plus empowers local health workers through specialized training, provides essential resources, and delivers patient-centered care bringing crucial #NCD services closer to home for people living in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. It calls for sustained efforts toward comprehensive action on NCDs, Stronger health systems and Sustainable care for severe chronic diseases. #beatNCDs #EndingDiseasesInAfrica To participate virtually, register here who.zoom.us/meeting/register…

Today @WHOAFRO we focus on Sickle Cell Disease: A Public Health Priority in Africa Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a major inherited blood disorder with significant public health implications, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where over 75% of global cases occur. It contributes substantially to childhood mortality, chronic ill-health, and socioeconomic strain on families and health systems. Many children born with SCD die before their fifth birthday due to lack of early diagnosis, access to care, and preventive services. In African countries, where communicable and non-communicable disease burdens are already high, SCD compounds the challenges facing overstretched health systems. Recognizing the urgent need for coordinated action, the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting countries to address SCD through a multi-pronged strategy. @WHO is working to: 1. Increase awareness of the global burden of SCD among the international community, policymakers, and stakeholders 2. Promote equitable access to quality health services, including early diagnosis through newborn screening, comprehensive care, and education for patients and families 3. Provide technical support to countries to strengthen health systems for the prevention, management, and monitoring of SCD 4. Promote and support research into new therapies and models of care to improve quality of life and outcomes for people living with SCD. As we mark #WorldSickleCellDay , it is imperative that African countries elevate SCD on national health agendas, invest in sustainable care models, and partner with global initiatives to reduce avoidable deaths and improve lifelong wellbeing for affected individuals.

An empowered diabetes civil society means stronger advocacy, better awareness, and more inclusive policies. It holds leaders accountable, amplifies marginalized voices, and drives social change from the ground up. @WHOSouthAfrica in partnership with @HealthZA, @UPDiabetes and sponsored by the @WorldDiabetesF are holding a diabetes civil society forum to learn from each other and strategise on how to support the government in leading the campaign to halt and reverse the burden of diabetes and NCDs at large. When civil society thrives, so does the community, health, justice, equity, and sustainable development. Indeed when people living with diabetes lead the conversation, systems become more responsive, equitable, and person-centered. @WHO @WHOAFRO @ncdalliance @UNinSouthAfrica @ShenaazEl @themoaroberts @KayaNews #NCDs #ActOnNCDs #LeadOnNCDs #meaningfulengagement

SMILE!!!! 😁….It’s #worldoralhealthday2025 and as per the theme this year, "A Happy Mouth = a Happy Mind….. In-deed a healthy mouth is the gateway to a healthy body, mind and soul! Oral diseases are among the most common noncommunicable diseases (#NCD) worldwide, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people. The burden is increasing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries….😩 Good oral health is essential for eating, breathing, and speaking, and contributes to overall health. The pain and discomfort associated with oral diseases make concentrating difficult, can cause people to miss school or work, and can lead to social isolation with untold anguish! Left untreated, the health-related impact of oral diseases can be severe and devastating. The good news is, many oral diseases are largely preventable and can be treated using simple and non-invasive procedures at the primary health care level. @WHOSouthAfrica is working with the @HealthZA to make sure that oral health is prioritised and is an integral part of the #UHC rollout and a pivotal cog in attaining the #SDGs. Here find the words of the @WHOAFRO Regional director @Chikwe_I on oral health and #worldoralhealthday2025 shorturl.at/ParI4

@WHOSouthAfrica Joined @HealthZA Mr Ramphelane Morewane, Deputy DG: HIV, AIDS & STIs, and Maternal and Child Health in the #WorldObesityDay 2025 commemoration themed “CHANGING SYSTEMSHEALTHIER LIVES” @DurbanUni The stats are off the charts… - 1 in 4 of us will be living with obesity by 2035. - The number of adults living with overweight & obesity is set to double from 2010 to 2035 - Childhood obesity is expected to increase by 100% between 2020 and 2035. - Obesity is a major driver of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, contributing significantly to global morbidity and mortality.  - Closer home, Half of all adults in South Africa are either overweight or obese with this rate heavily skewed against the women. For far too long, responses to the obesity crisis has been focussed on individuals. While individuals have a responsibility, It’s time we turn our attention to the systems that need to put their act together! - Health systems, government systems, food systems, the media, and the environments we work and live in. Obesity is a complex problem that needs a multi-sectoral whole of government approach. -was so glad to see young university students take a stand and embrace their civic duty and say ENOUGH!! Please join them in this petition to the minister of health in support of draft regulations to improve the food environment awethu.amandla.mobi/petition…

Making @WHOSouthAfrica comments in support of the #CloseTheGap at the official launch of the National Campaign to close the current HIV treatment gap of 1.1 million people to be enrolled on care by December 2025. This will make South Africa realise the 2nd 95% and eventually the 3rd @UNAIDS 95% target attainable. Leading from the front, the Minister of @HealthZA implored us all to be the face of the campaign in our own little spaces. As the @UNinSouthAfrica family we are fully committed and will partner and lend our support to closing this 1.1M treatment gap. #Betterfuture4kids #bettermen4tomorrow #startstayontreatment #myhivtreatmentworks

As the curtains fall on the amazing #NCDAF2025 in kigali organized by @ncdalliance and hosted by the @RwandaNCDA , i take time to reflect on a few personal lessons i have picked here. 1. When communities lead, change happens, livelihoods are improved and ultimately, lives are saved! …..Indeed the “P” in POWER is for PEOPLE. 2. Meaningful involvement for persons with lived NCD/MH experience is a right and participation in policy dialogue and advocacy is a civic duty. 3. Social participation can foster mutual respect and trust while making health systems more responsive, equitable and resilient….There is nothing for us without us!! 4. While NCDs are non communicable as disease entities, the burden and anguish thereof is certainly communicable… to families, communities and to the wider economy at large!! 5. When diseases come together, we must come together too…Multi-morbidity is a reality in our region and comprehensive integrated people centered primary care is the Way to go for NCDs. (rb.gy/50riav) 6. While the concept of UHC is very clear, the “real” definition, dimensions and reach of the “U” in UHC needs to be clearly delineated by each member state as UHC starts, succeeds or fails starting with this “U” 7. Upstream interventions with primordial and primary prevention and health promotion should go hand in hand with system strengthening downstream. UHC is not complete without prevention. 8. We have barely scratched the surface in taping private sector inputs and equity into NCD prevention and control…. we need to widen the purview of “private sector” to include all non state actors across all government sectors (not only health private sector entities) …as well as looking at private sector input to include non monetary resources that abound in the private sector but rarely leveraged for NCD prevention and control. 9. While we now have a very clear list of @WHO “best buys” for prevention and control of NCDs that governments can choose from (rb.gy/6jnl2u) we must support then to compile a “must buy” list from where to begin from. 10. Members of parliament hold the yam and the knife and having these dialogues without them is preaching to the choir! Kudos to the #NCDA for organising such wonderful #NCDAF2025 bringing together NCD/MH advocates from all the corners of the globe to deliberate on how to better leverage the outcomes of the forth coming 4th UN High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Please take a moment, review and support - (rb.gy/ctbbnl ) - The Call to Lead on NCDs: three actions all governments must take as commitment to the 4th UN High-level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health later in September. @WHOAFRO @WHOSouthAfrica @eancdalliance @un_ncd @NCDAccess @WorldDiabetesF @worldheartfed @PATHtweets @CoalitionNcd @HelmsleyTrust @VitalStrat @UPDiabetes

What a run today at Kwenele @Parkrun in Katlehong with the Deputy minister @HealthZA promoting parkruns in townships and making physical activity an enjoyable leisure activity choice in our communities. @WHOSouthAfrica is partnering with the @HealthZA in a @WorldDiabetesF funded project to halt and reverse the burden of Diabetes in South Africa. @WHOAFRO @UNinSouthAfrica @UPDiabetes @ShenaazEl @DrTedros

It’s #UHCDay !!! The @HealthZA is leading from the front and @WHOSouthAfrica is glad to be part of this process as health is a fundamental human right and we are committed to ensuring the highest attainable level of health for all. While Health is on the ~House~ Government, we all have a role to support the government to make sure that universal health coverage is more than a promise but a shared reality for all.