Updates & events
Latest news
The ESPEN Annual Report 2025 documents a year of sustained progress towards PC-NTD elimination across the WHO African Region, despite significant funding disruptions. It also marks the launch of the ESPEN Strategy 2026–2030. Now available in English and French.
On 26 May 2026, the WHO Regional Office for Africa, through the ESPEN project, officially launched Cohort III of the Mwele Malecela Mentorship Programme. While women are at the forefront of the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) across Africa, they remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making roles. This structured, two-year programme addresses this leadership gap by equipping seven mid-career African women from seven countries with advanced leadership, technical, and advocacy skills. Aligned with the ESPEN Strategy 2026–2030 and the WHO NTD Roadmap, the initiative honors the legacy of the late Dr. Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela by fostering country-led, gender-inclusive health systems, aiming to mentor at least 40 women leaders by 2030 to accelerate NTD elimination across the Region.
On 19 March 2026, ESPEN convened a regional webinar bringing together national programmes, researchers, and partners to explore how geostatistical modelling can strengthen schistosomiasis mapping and impact assessments. The discussions highlighted the importance of combining analytical innovation with country-led surveillance systems, improved diagnostics, and empirical data collection to support more targeted and efficient programme decision-making across the Region.
Upcoming events
Capacity-Building Opportunity: Disease Elimination & Eradication Course (DEEC) 2026 ESPEN is pleased to share a unique training opportunity hosted by our partners: GLIDE, the University of Global Health Equity, and The Carter Center. Running from July 20 to September 8, 2026, this hybrid (online and in-person in Rwanda) course is designed for mid-career public health professionals and Ministry of Health country teams looking to build advanced competencies in strategy development for NTD, malaria, and polio elimination. Scholarship support is available for eligible applicants. Review the details and submit your application by June 15, 2026.
These meetings are more than just a congregation of minds; they are a rallying point for action. The challenges of funding and resource allocation, especially in the wake of the pandemic, have brought to the fore the urgency of advocacy, innovative resource mobilization, and the criticality of country ownership.
These gatherings serve as a platform for sharing best practices, technical updates, and fostering cross-sectoral collaborations, crucial for sustaining momentum and adapting to evolving public health landscapes.
A dynamic platform bringing together Member States, partners, and donors every quarter to share progress, innovations, and lessons learned in the fight against NTDs across Africa. These webinars strengthen collaboration, visibility, and data-driven decision-making — fostering a connected community committed to achieving the 2030 NTD Roadmap targets.