Author: Priscilla Akorfa Fomevor

The Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) marked a significant milestone on May 12th, 2025, with the official launch of the HCOWAA Medical and Academic Exchange Committee. Held at the prestigious Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, specifically the Obstetrics and Gynecology Conference Hall. This landmark event convened leading medical experts, researchers, and stakeholders to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in West African healthcare. On Behalf of Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea – Director General, Ghana Health Service, Dr. Lawrence Ofori Boadu, Director of Clinical Service, Ghana Health Service gave a welcome address. Dr. Yang Yongguang, a Chief Physician, and the…

On May 9, 2025, the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) hosted the Al SUPPLY seminar on “The Deployment Framework and Application Standards of Medical Supply Systems for Medicines, Reagents, Consumables, etc” at their headquarters, La Trade Fair. The seminar explored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare logistics, highlighting its role in enhancing efficiency, improving patient outcomes and streamlining medical supply chains. With presentations from renowned experts and international participants across the globe, the seminar provided a platform for knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration, ultimately aiming to transform healthcare logistics in West Africa. Mr. Prince Opoku…

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) has granted Ghana’s request for Hepatitis B birth dose vaccines, a huge step in combating mother-to-child transmission of the virus. The vaccines are set to arrive in September and the aim is to halt early childhood infections and strengthen the nation’s immunization framework. For over two decades, GAVI has been instrumental in Ghana’s public health advancements, supporting the eradication of deadly childhood diseases, expanding vaccine access and improving healthcare infrastructure. As Ghana prepares to transition from GAVI’s financial assistance by 2030, the introduction of the Hepatitis B birth dose and HPV vaccines…

The United States has reported over 1,000 measles cases in 2025, marking the second-worst year for the highly contagious disease since it was declared eliminated in the country 25 years ago. Health officials warn the nation is on track to surpass the 2019 record of 1,274 cases, driven by a growth multistate outbreak that continues to expand.  A majority of cases—over 800—are linked to an outbreak centered in West Texas, which has now spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma and potentially Kansas. Additional outbreaks have emerged in Ohio, Montana and Michigan, with new cases expected to be reported in the coming…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued urgent new guidelines to put an end to the rising trend of female genital mutilation (FGM) practices being performed by health workers, warning that such “medicalization” risks legitimizing the harmful practice and intensifies health risks for girls and women. The Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation and Clinical Management of Complications new guideline reveals that as of 2020, an estimated of 52 million girls and women globally underwent the process at the hands of medical professionals, accounting for 1 in 4 cases. The WHO emphasizes that FGM, which involves the partial or total removal…

In spite of global advances in immunization, over 500,000 children under the age of five in Africa die annually from preventable diseases like measles, polio and whooping cough. Factors such as limited healthcare funding, low vaccine trust and instability contribute to the problem. Wealthier nations have virtually eliminated many of these preventable diseases, but systemic barriers continue to deny millions of people in other parts of the world access to basic vaccines, leaving them vulnerable to illnesses that could be easily prevented. As of 2023, only 16 African countries achieved over 90% coverage for critical vaccines, including the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3)…

In a major move to strengthen healthcare in West Africa, the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) and the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) have signed a new partnership agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed on April 25, 2025, at HCOWAA’s headquarters during a seminar focused on AI-driven disease control. The theme of the event was “Transforming Public Health with AI: National Frameworks for Smarter Disease Control and Emergency Response.” This partnership aims to improve easy access to quality medical laboratory services across West Africa. Together, HCOWAA and GAMLS plan to launch a range…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an alarm about falsified batches of HEALMOXY 500mg capsules, a critical antibiotic, detected in Cameroon and the Central African Republic. The issue was reported to the WHO in March 2025. The counterfeit product lacks the life-saving active ingredient amoxicillin, posing severe risks to patients relying on them to treat bacterial infections.  Genuine HEALMOXY capsules contain amoxicillin, an antibiotic prescribed for infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin conditions. However, laboratory tests confirmed the counterfeit versions contain no amoxicillin, rendering them ineffective. The WHO identified inconsistencies in manufacturing and expiry dates on…

The Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) convened its 6th international seminar on the National Intelligent CDC Deployment Framework and Application Standards, under the theme: “Transforming Public Health with AI: National Frameworks for Smarter Disease Control and Emergency Response.” Held in Accra, the event brought together experts from healthcare, technology, academia and policy sectors to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing public health systems, improving disease surveillance, and strengthening emergency response across Ghana and the West African sub-region. The seminar addressed the increasing relevance of AI in national development and public health infrastructure. From outbreak prediction…

Doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) have announced an indefinite suspension of all emergency and outpatient services, effective immediately, citing a “hostile working environment,” chronic shortages of basic medical supplies, and perceived insults to their dignity by government officials. The decision, declared on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025 following an emergency general assembly meeting, marks an escalation in tensions between healthcare workers and authorities.  In a statement released by the Doctors’ Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH), the suspension affects the General Outpatient Department (OPD), Antenatal Clinic, Specialist Clinic, and Pediatrics OPD. However, inpatient care will continue for currently admitted…