AGP Executive Report

AI Fact-Checking in West Africa: Dubawa AI in Nigeria is being upgraded to better spot “claims” (including health-related ones) before they spread online, with developers testing new models for faster, smarter verification. Ebola Response Under Strain (DRC): In eastern Congo, community health workers say surveillance is failing to keep up—60% to 70% of new Ebola cases are found among people not previously monitored—while the outbreak has spread to a sixth province, Bas-Uele. Ceuta Migrant Crisis: Hundreds of migrants protested on a beach in Spain’s Ceuta, demanding asylum and describing harsh conditions while Amnesty International presses Spain for clarity on border returns and asylum access. Senegal Health & Justice Watch: Senegal reports 71 arrests under the new anti-same-sex law, with human rights groups raising concerns; separately, a Thiès student is accused of infanticide after a doctor alerted police to two dead newborns. Sports Health Incident: Bayern’s Jamal Musiala fainted minutes after scoring, prompting immediate medical attention—an example of how heat and circulatory issues can quickly become urgent.

Ebola Watch (DRC): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has spread to a sixth province, Bas-Uele, with authorities confirming a death in Buta and warning that contacts may be at risk; the caseload is now reported at 4,665 confirmed cases and 2,184 deaths, as delayed detection and strained health services keep the virus moving. Ebola Response (Eastern Congo): Community health workers in Nizi say surveillance is failing to keep up, with 60–70% of new cases found among people not previously monitored as contacts—“we are chasing the virus; the virus is ahead of us.” Senegal Legal/Health Rights: Senegal has arrested 71 men under a new law criminalising same-sex relations, while 28 charges were dropped for lack of evidence; human rights groups also raise concerns about possible HIV-related allegations and detention conditions. Maternal/Infant Health Case (Thiès): A student in Thiès was sent to central prison on suspicion of infanticide after a doctor alerted police; investigators found two newborns dead after she said she had hidden them at home. Sports & Health (Heat/Collapse): Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala collapsed mid-game minutes after scoring; he received treatment and left the pitch under medical supervision, with heat reportedly linked. Senegal Football (Coach Pay Dispute): Former head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has served the FSF a formal notice demanding 423,820,300 CFA francs over alleged unpaid salaries, bonuses, and medical-related costs.

Ebola Response Strain in Congo: Eastern Congo community health workers say surveillance is failing to keep up, with 60–70% of new Ebola cases found among people not already tracked as contacts, as the outbreak spreads to a sixth province (Bas-Uele) and confirmed cases climb to 4,665 with 2,184 deaths. Senegal Legal & Human Rights Pressure: Senegal reports 71 men arrested under its new law criminalising same-sex relations, while 28 charges were dropped for insufficient evidence; human rights groups warn of rights violations and possible public health-linked allegations. Maternal/Infant Safety Case in Thiès: A 24-year-old student in Thiès was sent to central prison on suspicion of infanticide after doctors and police found two dead newborns hidden at home. Sports Health Moment (Senegal-linked): Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala fainted minutes after scoring; Senegalese forward Bara Njie replaced him, highlighting the need for rapid on-field medical response. Football Administration Fallout: Former Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw demands 423,820,300 CFA from the federation for alleged unpaid salaries and bonuses, threatening legal action. Mining & Health Risks: Two workers reportedly died after a mudslide at the FB Group construction site in Lungi, with others injured and receiving treatment. Health Tech Expansion (Regional): Morocco’s Gigalab plans to expand across Africa, manufacturing rapid tests for HIV, hepatitis, malaria, mpox and syphilis.

Ebola Response Strain in Congo: In eastern DRC, community health workers say Ebola surveillance is failing to keep up, with 60–70% of new cases found among people not previously tracked as contacts; the outbreak has killed over 2,200 people out of more than 4,700 cases, and WHO warns the virus is “ahead of us,” while UN emergency funding adds $30.5m. Ebola Spreads Further in DRC: Reuters reports Ebola has reached a sixth province, Bas-Uele, after a fatal case in Buta, raising fears of additional contacts and highlighting how conflict and strained health services are accelerating spread. Senegal Football Coach Legal Demand: Former Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has served the federation a formal notice demanding 423,820,300 CFA francs (about $745,000) for alleged unpaid salaries, bonuses, and medical-related costs, after his dismissal following Senegal’s World Cup exit. Senegal Detention and LGBT Law Fallout: Senegal has arrested 71 men under the new law criminalising same-sex relations, with 28 charges dropped for lack of sufficient evidence; human rights groups say the process risks violating rights and may intersect with public health allegations. Infanticide Case in Thiès: A Thiès student at UVS, accused of infanticide, was sent to central prison after police found two dead newborns hidden at home; the investigation continues. Gambia Health Access via Transport: Gambia’s Deputy Speaker Seedy SK Njie says a faster ferry will be introduced to improve Banjul–Barra crossings, after delays were linked to patients missing specialist care.

Ebola Watch (DRC): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has spread to a sixth province, Bas-Uele, with authorities confirming a death in Buta and warning of possible contacts—pushing confirmed cases to 4,665 (2,184 deaths). Public Health & Rights (Senegal): Senegal’s new anti-same-sex law has led to 71 men arrested and charged, while 28 had charges dropped for lack of evidence; human rights groups say the process is escalating tensions and raising public health concerns. Maternal/Child Safety (Thiès): A Thiès student at UVS was sent to central prison on suspicion of infanticide after a doctor alerted police; investigators say two newborns (a boy and a girl) were found dead after she hid them at home. Health Workforce Leadership: Thirty women leaders from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal begin a 12-month midwifery leadership programme focused on maternal and newborn health and stronger influence over health systems. Workplace Safety (Lungi): Two workers reportedly died after a mudslide at the FB Group construction site near Lungi Airport; survivors are receiving treatment in Freetown. Health Tech (Africa): Morocco’s Gigalab says it’s expanding across Africa, manufacturing rapid tests for HIV, hepatitis, malaria, mpox, and syphilis.

Water & Sanitation in Senegal: Qatar Charity (QC) handed over water and sanitation projects across Touba, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Dakar, Matam, Ziguinchor and Kolda, including 49 water tanks and 246 wells, reaching over 70,000 beneficiaries and aiming to improve health conditions in underserved areas. Maternal Health Leadership: WomenLift Health and WILAN Global launched a 12-month West Africa Midwifery Leadership Journey for 30 women leaders from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal to strengthen influence over health systems and improve maternal and newborn outcomes. Public Health Tech: Morocco’s Gigalab plans to expand across Africa, manufacturing rapid tests for HIV, hepatitis, malaria, mpox and syphilis, with partnerships to integrate locally made diagnostics into patient care pathways. Ebola Response Pressure: WHO says Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak is on track to surpass the deadliest in history, with cases and deaths rising and healthcare access strained by conflict and infrastructure gaps. Health Access & Transport (Gambia): The Gambia pledged a faster ferry for the Banjul–Barra crossing after complaints that delays can worsen patients’ conditions and strain families. Workplace Safety: A mudslide at a construction site in Lungi (Sierra Leone) reportedly killed two workers and sent two others for intensive treatment, highlighting risks around ongoing infrastructure projects.

Water & Sanitation in Senegal: Qatar Charity (QC) handed over water and sanitation projects across Touba, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Dakar, Matam, Ziguinchor and Kolda, including 49 water tanks and 246 wells, reaching over 70,000 beneficiaries and aiming to improve health conditions in underserved areas. Maternal & Newborn Leadership: A 12-month West Africa Midwifery Leadership Journey launched with 30 women leaders from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, focused on strengthening influence over health systems and improving maternal and newborn outcomes. Ebola in the region: WHO says Congo’s Ebola outbreak is moving faster than the 2014–16 West Africa crisis, with over 2,000 deaths reported and health workers facing conflict, poor infrastructure and pay issues. Workplace safety (health impact): Two workers reportedly died after a mudslide at the FB Group construction site in Lungi, with others transferred for intensive treatment. Access to care (transport): The Gambia’s DS Njie announced a faster ferry for the Banjul–Barra crossing after children raised delays that worsen patients’ conditions. Health equity & rights: Senegal’s debate over same-sex marriage has highlighted the legal exclusion of intersex people, despite estimates that they make up about 1.7% of the population.

Maternal Health Leadership: A 12-month West Africa Midwifery Leadership Journey has started for 30 women leaders from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, aiming to strengthen influence over health systems and improve maternal and newborn outcomes. Water & Sanitation in Senegal: Qatar Charity handed over water and sanitation projects across Senegal, including 49 water tanks in Touba and 246 wells, reaching more than 70,000 beneficiaries in Dakar, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Matam, Ziguinchor and Kolda. Ebola Crisis in Congo: WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak began in February (months before the May declaration) and is now on track to surpass the deadliest outbreak in history, with conflict, poor roads and health worker pay issues slowing response. Health Worker Losses: A neurosurgeon trained in Dakar has died from Ebola in eastern Congo, highlighting how the outbreak is hitting scarce specialist care and healthcare staffing. Senegal Rights & Health: Senegal’s debate over a gender-binary constitutional push has raised concerns that intersex people are being excluded from law, with potential real-world health and safety risks. Access to Eye Care: A glasses solidarity drive from Murcia, Spain is sending 227 pairs to Senegal to restore vision for people with limited access to eye care.

Ebola Watch: WHO says Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak likely began in February (months before the May 15 declaration) and is now at 4,300+ confirmed cases with 2,000+ deaths, with conflict, unpaid health workers, poor roads, and misinformation slowing response. Public Health & Water: Qatar Charity (QC) handed over water and sanitation projects in Senegal, including 49 water tanks in Touba and 246 wells across Dakar, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Matam, Ziguinchor, and Kolda—benefiting 70,000+ people and aiming to improve health in underserved areas. Rights & Health Access: A Senegal debate over a gender binary in birth certificates and same-sex marriage rules is raising concerns that intersex people are being excluded from law and services, despite estimates that intersex traits affect about 1.7% of the population. Eye Care Equity: A Murcia solidarity campaign is sending 227 pairs of prescription glasses to Senegal this September, with lenses matched by optometry students before delivery to communities in M’Bour. Health Policy & Costs: An AfDB report flags that in West Africa, debt-interest payments can rival or exceed public health spending, naming Nigeria and Ghana as stark examples of shrinking room for healthcare investment.

Water & Sanitation in Senegal: Qatar Charity (QC) handed over water and sanitation projects across Touba, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Dakar, Matam, Ziguinchor and Kolda, including 49 water tanks and 246 wells, benefiting over 70,000 people and aiming to improve health in underserved areas. Public Health Crisis Watch (DR Congo): WHO says Congo’s fast-growing Ebola outbreak likely began in February (months before the May 15 declaration), with confirmed cases reaching about 4,200 and deaths over 1,900 as responders face conflict, poor roads, and shortages. Health Financing Pressure: AfDB warns debt-interest payments in West Africa can rival or exceed public health spending, citing Nigeria and Ghana as examples of how debt service crowds out social investment. Access to Eye Care (Senegal): A Murcia solidarity campaign is sending 227 pairs of prescription glasses to Senegal, with lenses matched by optometry students before delivery to M’Bour. Senegal in the Spotlight (Sports): Hull City report they’ve agreed a €25m deal for Senegal defender Nobel Mendy, with a medical booked—an indirect boost for Senegalese visibility in European football.

Water & Sanitation Delivery: Qatar Charity (QC) handed over water and sanitation projects in Touba, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, Dakar, Matam, Ziguinchor and Kolda, including 49 water tanks and 246 wells benefiting 70,000+ people, aiming to improve safe drinking water and health in underserved areas. Ebola Emergency Update: WHO says Congo’s fast-growing Ebola outbreak likely began in February (months before the May 15 declaration), with confirmed cases now at 4,200 and deaths at 2,011+, as responders face conflict, road access problems, and shortages. Public Health Financing Pressure: AfDB warns debt-interest payments in West Africa can rival or exceed public health spending, citing Nigeria and Ghana as stark examples of how debt service crowds out healthcare budgets. Maternal Health Training (Regional): Liberia’s fistula surgeons are training in urogynecology/pelvic floor reconstruction with support from ECOWAS and UNFPA, with Dakar-based funding backing the program. Digital Family Planning Funding: A new Gates Grand Challenge call offers up to $500,000 for AI-enabled conversational tools to improve contraception access and informed choice, with strict requirements for safety and real-world impact.

Ebola Update (DR Congo): WHO says the current fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo likely began in February, months before the May declaration, with early cases misattributed to malaria and typhoid; confirmed cases are now about 4,200 with over 1,900 deaths, while a quarantined river boat near Kinshasa tested negative. Senegal Health & Rights: Senegal charged 71 men over alleged same-sex acts as the crackdown intensifies after a law that doubled prison sentences; some HIV-related charges were dismissed for certain defendants. Health Financing Pressure (West Africa): AfDB warns debt-interest payments in Nigeria and Ghana can rival or exceed public health spending, crowding out budgets for healthcare and other development priorities. Family Planning (AI Grant Call): A Gates Grand Challenge is offering up to $500,000 for AI-enabled conversational tools to improve contraception uptake and informed choice, with strict requirements for safety and shared public learning. Road Safety (Grand Magal): Senegal’s National Fire Brigade reports 21 road deaths linked to the Grand Magal since late July, with hundreds of emergencies and many road-accident cases. Senegal Care Capacity (Training): Liberia’s fistula-surgery training program is supported by ECOWAS and UNFPA, with Dakar-based support for doctors learning advanced urogynecology and pelvic floor reconstruction. Health & Wellness (Diabetes/Hypertension Awareness): Merck Foundation and Africa’s First Ladies announced 2025 winners for campaigns focused on diabetes and hypertension prevention and early detection.

Ebola Update (DR Congo): WHO says the current fast-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo likely began in February—months before it was officially declared in mid-May—after genetic sequencing showed early cases were sometimes misread as malaria or typhoid; confirmed cases are now about 4,200 with over 1,900 deaths, and a quarantined river boat near Kinshasa tested negative. Senegal Health & Rights: Senegal has charged 71 men over alleged same-sex acts as part of an intensifying crackdown, after a law that doubled penalties for homosexual relations; prosecutors also dropped charges for one French national but said they appealed. Family Planning (Digital Health): A new grant call backs AI-enabled conversational tools to close gaps in contraception access, with funding up to $500,000 and a focus on real-world impact on uptake and informed choice. Maternal & Child Health (Senegal included): A global initiative reports improvements for 52 million women and children across Africa and Asia, with projects in Senegal and new funding commitments exceeding $65 million. Public Health Safety (Grand Magal): Senegal’s emergency response for the Grand Magal in Touba reports 21 road deaths since late July, with hundreds of emergencies and road-accident cases handled.

Senegal Health & Justice: Senegal has charged 71 men over alleged same-sex “unnatural acts” as part of an intensifying crackdown; prosecutors also said some charges were dropped for 28 defendants, while HIV-related charges were dismissed in some cases. Maternal Health & Training: Liberia is sending three doctors to Ethiopia for two-year advanced fellowship training in urogynecology and pelvic floor reconstruction to reduce dependence on foreign fistula surgeons, with support from ECOWAS and UNFPA (ECOWAS funds routed via Dakar). Family Planning Funding (AI): A new Gates Grand Challenge is offering up to $500,000 over 12 months for AI-enabled, two-way digital tools to improve contraceptive uptake and method continuation—requiring shared public resources and strong safety rules. Public Health & Safety (Pilgrimage): Senegal’s Grand Magal emergency operation reports 21 road deaths since July 28, with hundreds of firefighters and medical responders deployed. Ebola Response (Regional): In DR Congo, Ebola cases have topped 4,000 as health workers report ongoing risks, including delayed pay and attacks that disrupt care.

Senegal Health & Safety: Senegal’s Grand Magal emergency response reported a rise in road deaths, with 21 fatalities since the National Fire Brigade launched its operation on 28 July; officials said they responded to 309 emergencies, assisting 503 people, including 221 road accidents involving 451 people. Public Health & Rights: Senegal has charged 71 men over alleged same-sex “unnatural acts” amid an intensifying crackdown; prosecutors also dismissed charges including “wilful transmission of HIV/AIDS” and “endangering the lives of others” for some defendants, while Senegal’s 2026 law doubled penalties for homosexual relations. Regional Health: In DR Congo, Ebola cases have surpassed 4,000 with 1,850 deaths reported; authorities said seven boat passengers near Kinshasa tested negative and ordered screening for incoming boats. Wellness & Environment: A new report highlights Sahel “greening” as water returns—wells rise and Lake Chad recovers—linked to increased rainfall after decades of drought, with potential knock-on effects for livelihoods and health. Health Systems & Workforce: Congo’s Ebola front-line workers say they’ve been working without pay, warning that delayed support and attacks on teams disrupt care.

Grand Magal Safety Update: Senegal’s National Fire Brigade says road accidents linked to the annual Grand Magal pilgrimage have killed 21 people since its emergency operation began on 28 July, with 309 emergencies handled and 221 road-accident cases involving 451 people. Public Health & Rights: Senegal has charged 71 men over alleged same-sex acts as part of a widening crackdown; prosecutors also dropped some charges and dismissed allegations tied to “wilful transmission of HIV/AIDS,” while noting a tougher law passed in March. Ebola Watch (Regional Health): In DR Congo, Ebola cases have surpassed 4,000 with 1,850 deaths, as health workers report working without pay and face attacks that disrupt care. Community Health Initiative: A church-led initiative reports improving the well-being of 52 million women and children across Africa and Asia, with a new US$65m commitment for year three that includes Senegal. Health Workforce Stress: Congo’s Ebola front-line staff say delayed or missing salaries are pushing some workers to walk off the job, raising fears for outbreak control.