AGP Executive Report

Ebola Response Escalates: WHO chief Tedros urged Uganda to reconsider its Congo border closure as the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak tops 500 confirmed cases in DRC and spreads into Uganda, with insecurity and misinformation hampering care. Dengue Control Push: Sri Lanka launched a three-day national dengue mosquito control drive, inspecting 70,000+ premises and triggering legal action where larvae were found. Healthcare Under Threat: Nigeria’s resident doctors declared attacks on healthcare workers a national health and security emergency, citing rising assaults and kidnappings. Medicine Shortages Linked to Supply Chain: State Pharma in Nigeria/region blamed weak pharmaceutical supply networks and registration gaps for prescription difficulties, while expanding stock and fulfillment services. Digital Health Expansion: India’s West Bengal became the 36th state/UT to roll out AB PM-JAY, while Maharashtra advanced ABDM adoption via a “model district” push in Raigad. Insulin Affordability: A JAMA study found Medicare’s $35 insulin cap lowered out-of-pocket costs and increased use for a subset of high-cost patients. Food Safety & Public Health: Nagaland marked World Food Safety Day with calls for safer handling, and the EU launched EU4Food Safety to help Albania meet EU standards.

Ebola Response: WHO and Africa CDC are pushing a coordinated, well-funded plan as Congo’s Ebola caseload nears 500 and Uganda reports new infections, with concerns growing over contact tracing and patients escaping care. Budget Pressure on Health: Fiji’s health ministry is urging full funding for frontline pay, overtime and allowances to prevent disruptions and burnout as staffing shortages persist. Access Gaps, Local Fixes: Zimbabwe’s Cowdray Park is getting free primary care via a mobile clinic, easing travel and consultation-fee barriers for vulnerable residents. Rural Health Planning: NSW’s “Caring for our Regions” plan targets rural and regional healthcare access gaps, including GP shortages and long-distance treatment. Universal Coverage Expansion: West Bengal is set to join India’s Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, extending publicly funded hospitalization coverage to more people. Diagnostics Upgrade: Ghana opened a helium-free MRI centre at 37 Military Hospital under a PPP, aiming to expand diagnostic capacity. Workplace Safety: Ghana’s midwives’ association demands justice after an alleged assault on a colleague at Tema Community 22 Hospital. Public Health Threats from Climate: Malaria is surging in southern Africa as shifting rainfall and temperatures boost transmission risk. Healthcare Workforce Voice: Nurses in Ghana’s Upper East Region are calling for better infrastructure, fair pay, training and leadership roles.

World Food Safety Day: Kuwait marked the day by urging safer food across the supply chain, citing inspections, lab testing, and new digital services to cut foodborne illness. Ebola preparedness in Israel: Israel’s health ministry is readying hospitals and staff for a possible Ebola case, with guidelines on isolation, protective gear, sample handling, and reporting. Ebola response funding in Africa: Africa CDC and WHO launched a six-month “One Response” plan to raise $518m for surveillance, labs, infection control, and community engagement. Ebola screening in Kenya: Kenya says it has tested 67 people so far and screened 88,000 travellers at entry points, with isolation capacity expanded at referral hospitals. Huntington disease treatment: Real-world survey results suggest deutetrabenazine may improve quality-of-life measures for Huntington’s chorea patients. Maternal health push in Egypt: Egypt launched a national midwifery programme with WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Healthcare access gaps: Studies and reports highlight loneliness and healthcare shortfalls among elderly in Nepal’s Upper Mustang, plus staff/drug shortages in Nigeria’s Ondo, Osun and Ekiti hospitals. Food policy for prevention: Bangladesh experts renewed calls for front-of-package warning labels to tackle ultra-processed food risks and rising NCDs.

Ebola Watch: South Africa is stepping up port-of-entry screening as Central Africa’s Ebola outbreak grows, while a Ugandan tourist in Jaipur and a Sudanese traveler in Hyderabad were isolated and tested negative—showing how fast scares can spread even when results come back clear. Public Health Systems: WHO says nearly 500 Ebola cases are confirmed in Central Africa, with warnings the outbreak could become one of the largest on record without stronger measures. Food Safety Push: Pakistan’s PM used World Food Safety Day to call for safer food across the chain, echoing global estimates of massive illness and deaths from contaminated food. Water & Hygiene: Papua New Guinea and WaterAid-linked efforts highlight how WASH investments are being tied to maternal health and service delivery. Antibiotic Resistance: The World Health Assembly backed an updated AMR action plan for 2026–2036, underscoring rising risks as antibiotics lose effectiveness. Everyday Health: New research flags osteoarthritis in people as young as 30, pointing to the need for more personalized care. Blood Supply: New Zealand Blood Service says plasma donations hit a record, but it still needs 4,000 more donors to meet demand.

Ebola Response: WHO reports nearly 500 confirmed Ebola cases in Central Africa (452 in DR Congo, 19 in Uganda) with 84 deaths, as CDC warns the outbreak could rival 2014 without strong public health action. Cross-Border Preparedness: Kenya says it has stepped up screening, surveillance, isolation facilities, and emergency response at entry points after inspections at the Taveta–Holili border post. Global Aid Pressure: As Ebola spreads, a report questions whether China will increase support; China has sent a small medical team to Kinshasa but has not yet publicly answered an African appeal for $319 million. Public Health Lessons from COVID-19: A study suggests malaria exposure may have helped some African patients experience milder COVID-19, possibly by modulating immune inflammation. Stroke Prevention: A hemisphere-wide review highlights that most stroke risk is tied to everyday factors—especially uncontrolled blood pressure—pointing to delivery gaps, not just missing treatments. Community Health & Climate: Bangladesh calls for stronger climate-health financing, while Kenya’s deputy president’s spouse urges collective action on World Environment Day, linking climate to health and food risks. Health Equity & Access: A U.S. Medicaid spending snapshot shows sharp local increases in anesthesia, ambulance transport, and dental services—useful for spotting where care demand and coverage are shifting.

HIV Prevention Breakthrough (South Africa): South Africa has officially begun rolling out lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention drug, aiming to reach about one million people by end-2027 and three million over the next three years, backed by major funding from the Global Fund and CIFF. Public Health Alert (Ebola, India): Chhattisgarh says it is fully prepared for Ebola, with three African nationals quarantined in Durg for 21 days while tests show no confirmed virus. Maternal Care Policy Clash (Ireland): Rotunda Hospital is challenging Ireland’s public-only consultant rules, arguing it needs state indemnity coverage to keep private maternity care inside public hospitals. Women’s Health & Safety (Ghana): Ghana’s health service condemned the assault of a midwife at a Tema polyclinic, calling it an attack on frontline care and renewing calls for stronger protection for health workers. Postpartum Contraception Push (UK): Wirral launched “Think Contraception Before 21 Days” to warn new mums they can ovulate and become pregnant within three weeks after birth. Childhood Obesity Focus (Bulgaria): Experts at a national obesity congress warned childhood obesity is widespread, citing high rates among young children and urging stronger prevention and treatment. Mosquito-Borne Disease Warning (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka’s anti-malaria campaign director urged people with fever lasting over 48 hours to seek prompt medical care to prevent complications and curb spread. No-Burn Advisory (US, Colorado): Mesa County issued a weekend ban on all burning due to fire-weather conditions.

Cancer Care De-escalation: The phase 3 SENOMAC breast cancer trial found that omitting axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) delivered non-inferior 5-year survival, with fewer severe arm function problems. New EU Oncology Option: The EU approved tarlatamab for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer after platinum therapy, with improved survival and response rates versus chemotherapy. China Lymphoma Advance: China granted accelerated approval to rocbrutinib for relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma, supported by strong response data. Radiation Oncology Recap: ASCO 2026 highlighted practice-changing radiation strategies, including a phase 3 approach using cesium-131 tile-based delivery after brain metastasis surgery. Maternal Care Costs Watch: In the U.S., new maternity billing codes starting January could shift pregnancy care from bundled payments to more à la carte charges. Ebola Response Logistics: WHO-backed airlifts and shipments are boosting Ebola readiness in the DRC region, while Kenya reports extensive traveler screening with no confirmed cases. Public Health Access Gap: The Philippines ranked 87th of 110 in a global health care index, citing uneven access despite existing capacity. Climate & Health Lens: On World Environment Day, leaders tied climate action to public health and resilience, spotlighting frontline community impacts. Diabetes Tech Update: ADA 2026 reinforces automated insulin delivery as the preferred insulin method, while adoption barriers remain insurance and cost.

Ebola Preparedness: Britain’s NHS is urging staff to isolate suspected cases and stock PPE as imported Ebola risk rises, even as the chance of a UK outbreak is judged low. Ebola in Central Africa: DR Congo reported 381 Ebola cases and 63 deaths, with authorities expanding testing and cross-border coordination as the outbreak spreads. Public Health Funding & Access: Kenya’s 2026/27 budget approved Ksh175.5B for health, including Ksh19.1B for primary care and Ksh4B for critical illness support, alongside major education spending. Health System Gaps (Philippines): A new index ranks the Philippines 87th of 110 for real-world access, citing uneven coordination and weaker medicine availability and government readiness. Infectious Disease Tech: A new PCR system targets 45 pathogens in about 90 minutes to speed clinical decisions in resource-limited settings. Maternal/Neonatal Care: Research finds cord blood glucose is not a reliable predictor of transitional neonatal hypoglycemia. Cancer Care: Preoperative axillary ultrasound may expand upfront sentinel node biopsy eligibility for some breast cancer patients, potentially reducing unnecessary surgery. Air & Climate Health: Worcester residents are being surveyed about air pollution; Karachi’s heat is flagged as a growing public health threat; and World Environment Day spotlights climate and health risks.

Ebola Alert: DR Congo’s Bundibugyo-strain outbreak keeps worsening, with cases now reported at 363 and deaths rising, while Uganda reports recoveries—prompting tighter cross-border screening and emergency response moves like on-site bleach production hubs. Public Health Safety: WHO says tainted food sickens 800M+ people and kills 1.5M annually, underscoring the need for safer food systems. Vaccination Watch: South Carolina confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated adult after international travel, triggering quarantines for exposed contacts. Healthcare Fraud Crackdown: The U.S. DOJ secured six healthcare-fraud convictions in three weeks totaling about $1.1B, including schemes tied to fake medical services and kickbacks. Access to Treatment: Thailand delivered the first batch of oral targeted cancer drug Imcranib 100 for nationwide universal-healthcare distribution. Weight-Loss Spending: England’s NHS hit a record spend on Mounjaro (tirzepatide), reflecting soaring demand and cost pressures. Policy & Data Privacy: U.S. HHS is seeking access to detailed medical records to study autism-vaccine links, raising concerns about privacy and legality.

Global Health & Equity: WHO estimates unsafe food sickens 866M people and kills 1.5M annually, with young children under 5 hit hardest and chemical hazards driving most deaths. Public Health Infrastructure: Papua New Guinea’s health minister says Port Moresby General Hospital is now Level Six under new standards, as overcrowding pressures grow with the city’s population far outpacing the hospital’s original design. Maternal WASH: Papua New Guinea’s NCDPHA and WaterAid PNG signed terms to expand WaSH Improvement for Maternal Health across the National Capital District. Ebola Preparedness & Governance: Kenya faces scrutiny over an Ebola facility in Laikipia, with legal challenges and calls for transparency as the government rolls out more isolation and treatment capacity. Adolescent Health: Kenya reports 15% of girls aged 15–19 are pregnant or mothers, prompting plans to strengthen comprehensive sexuality education. Food, Nutrition & Prevention: India’s protein intake is reportedly adequate overall, but heavy reliance on cereals leaves many households short on higher-quality pulses. Climate & Health: A new report from the World Inequality Lab argues a healthier, more equal world is possible with wealth taxes, shorter work hours, diet shifts, and faster decarbonisation. Health Systems & Access: West Bengal expands Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY coverage to 1.36 crore families, alongside new hospital capacity. Vaccines & Outbreak Response: Angola mobilized 3M oral cholera vaccine doses for its outbreak response, with campaign timing tied to epidemiology.

Ebola Response: WHO urged countries to lift travel restrictions tied to Ebola-affected nations, after Canada tightened entry rules and imposed 21-day self-isolation for recent travelers from parts of the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan. Public Health Preparedness: Nepal’s health ministry put Ebola prevention on “high alert,” boosting surveillance at Tribhuvan International Airport and border areas and preparing treatment and infection-control steps for health workers. Healthcare Policy & Access: In the U.S., GOP senators Ashley Moody and Dan Sullivan asked HHS to probe “improper” billing practices that they say drive high medical debt, arguing uninsured patients are often charged far above Medicare rates. Obesity Treatment Rollout: Novo Nordisk says oral Wegovy is set to reach UAE pharmacies within days, reflecting a shift toward treating obesity as a chronic disease needing long-term support. Maternal & Child Health: A study linked prolonged sitting in pregnancy (over 10 hours/day) with higher risks of adverse outcomes like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Cardiac Care Research: The American Heart Association launched a national heart transplant research network to tackle gaps in innovation, equity and outcomes. Nutrition & Chronic Disease: Cornell-led research found Americans widely view ultraprocessed foods as addictive and harmful, with bipartisan support for policies to curb them. Infectious Disease Watch: PAHO warned measles cases across the Americas have surged ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with most cases among unvaccinated or unknown-status people.

Ebola Response Under Strain (DRC/Uganda): The WHO has declared the DRC Ebola outbreak a public health emergency, but reporting shows suspected cases and deaths are still rising, with the DRC later revising suspected counts downward after testing rules out many “Ebola-like” illnesses; Uganda meanwhile confirmed six new infections, bringing its total to 15, as contact monitoring ramps up. Global Health Travel & Access: Dubai plans to streamline medical visas and create a coordinated patient journey with integrated systems across immigration, healthcare, and insurance to cut red tape for international patients. Universal Health Care Push (Bangladesh): Bangladesh’s finance minister says UHC will be introduced in the next budget to reduce high out-of-pocket spending, using a coordinated public-private-NGO approach. Cancer Care Progress (Prostate): ASCO coverage highlights the PROTEUS trial, reporting improved metastasis-free survival with intensified hormone therapy around radical prostatectomy. Public Health & Prevention (Indonesia/Nigeria): Indonesia expands free hepatitis screening to reach 136 million people, while Nigeria launches a major integrated vaccination drive targeting over 109 million children and adolescents. Health System Capacity (UK): A UK council’s adult social care service was rated “requires improvement,” citing long waits and overdue reviews. Climate & Health Risks (Sri Lanka/NL): Sri Lanka warns El Niño-linked hotter, drier months could pressure water and public health, while the Netherlands introduces a new heat intensity index as heat plans lag.

Ebola Watch (Kenya): Kenya’s High Court extended a suspension on a proposed US-linked Ebola quarantine facility near Nanyuki and ordered the government to disclose the full agreement and related health protocols, as protests reportedly turned deadly; President William Ruto defended the plan as part of national preparedness. Ebola Update (DRC/Uganda): WHO reported 321 confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC and 116 suspected after hundreds were ruled out, with 48 deaths and six recoveries; Uganda confirmed additional cases among contacts. Public Health in Conflict: Human Rights Watch renewed calls to protect healthcare in war, citing 2,546 “attacks on health” incidents across 33 countries in 2025 and warning that Resolution 2286’s promises aren’t being enforced. Health AI Governance: A Mount Sinai-led index finds health AI policy is growing fast but fragmented across 100+ bodies, with most rules focused on transparency and largely non-binding. New Treatments: UK MHRA authorized rilzabrutinib for adult immune thrombocytopenia after prior therapies failed. Maternal Care Campaign: The We Count campaign urged women to seek help for bladder leaks during pregnancy and after childbirth. Cardiac Access (UK/Ireland): A national audit found referral rates for advanced heart failure therapies vary widely and women are less likely to be referred. Brain Research: The Allen Institute launched a Brain Health accelerator with $400M committed to speed new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.

Ebola Response, Africa: India sent a second 43-tonne tranche of medical aid to Africa CDC—protective gear, diagnostics, medicines and nutritional supplements—to bolster preparedness as the outbreak expands. Ebola, US Policy: U.S. health officials warned Congress against a plan to treat Ebola-exposed Americans overseas, saying it could raise clinical and ethical risks and weaken response efforts at the source. Ebola, Kenya: President William Ruto defended a US-funded Ebola facility at Laikipia Air Base as part of long-running health security cooperation to improve detection and isolation capacity. Public Health Enforcement, Fiji: Fiji’s proposed Public Health Amendment Bill would remove a decades-old exemption that left villages outside enforcement, aiming to speed action during outbreaks like dengue and leptospirosis. HIV Prevention, US: ViiV Healthcare launched the “PrEP Wisdom” campaign to encourage informed choices about long-acting injectable HIV prevention. Cancer Prevention, Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe is using sugar-tax revenue to expand cancer diagnosis and treatment, with new radiation and imaging equipment rolling out. Care Access, Philippines: Cebu launched its “Right to Care” program, letting residents formally name care partners for hospital support and emergency decisions. Workplace Health, Qatar: Qatar’s labour ministry rolled out a heat-stress protection campaign ahead of summer rules restricting outdoor work during peak hours.

Ebola Surge, Global Response: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is still accelerating, with WHO warning of a public health emergency of international concern and new reporting suggesting the virus may have been spreading since January; authorities are also tracking suspected cases abroad, including Brazil and Italy, as the DRC and WHO reaffirm partnership to ramp up surveillance, labs, and patient care. Vaccine Push: CEPI is putting $60m into Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates, including Moderna’s mRNA effort, to speed clinical testing. Heat Safety at Work: Qatar’s Ministry of Labour and partners launched a summer campaign to prevent heat stress, restricting outdoor work hours from 10:00am to 3:30pm unless ventilation is available. Public Health in Motion: A hantavirus-linked incident aboard the MV Hondius is resolved after deep cleaning and disinfection, with Dutch public health clearance allowing the ship to resume operations. Cardio Prevention for Men: A U.S. campaign for Men’s Health Month promotes low-cost heart and lung screening. Food Safety Oversight: Egypt moves to tighten enforcement across food factories, with penalties up to license revocation for violations. Maternal/Child Support: Compassion International Ghana ended an eight-year maternal and early childhood program in Tongu, shifting from survival support to longer-term development.

Ebola Response in Congo: WHO says five patients have recovered in eastern DR Congo as a new treatment centre opens in Bunia, but the outbreak footprint is widening and suspected cases are being investigated in Italy and Brazil after travel. Public Health Logistics: India dispatched its first tranche of medical supplies to Africa CDC to support Ebola detection and response. Tobacco & Vaping Push: World No Tobacco Day messaging is turning to youth vaping, warning that flavours and “nicotine-free” claims can still lure adolescents into addiction. Maternal Care Progress (India): NFHS-6 reports institutional deliveries rising to 90.6% in 2023-24, with antenatal care coverage improving. Disability-Inclusive Care (India): A World MS Day policy dialogue backed a 10-point declaration to improve recognition, healthcare access, insurance and workplace inclusion for “invisible” disabilities. Health Tech & AI Governance: Philips Korea was recognized for advancing regulatory dialogue on AI-powered medical devices, while WHO-linked efforts continue to shape global guardrails. Emergency Alerts (Australia): AusAlert will be tested nationwide in July, sending phone text warnings for public health and security emergencies. Heat & Health Equity (US): Penn researchers warn extreme heat worsens underlying conditions and call for stronger cooling support for vulnerable communities.