Health crisis the Global South faced in 2025
In 2025, the Global South faced a year of relentless health crises, as epidemics, malnutrition and overburdened healthcare systems exposed the vulnerabilities of millions across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
These crises were not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern of systemic strain, where limited access to medicines, disrupted public services and long-standing inequalities amplified the impact of otherwise preventable illnesses. In many countries, health systems struggled to respond, revealing how quickly public health emergencies can escalate in contexts marked by economic pressure and political instability.
Sudan — Cholera epidemic persists amid conflict | Africa
Sudan continued to battle one of its most severe cholera outbreaks in 2025, with more than 124,000 suspected cases and over 3,300 deaths reported. Ongoing conflict and mass displacement worsened the situation, damaging water and sanitation infrastructure and limiting access to healthcare. The epidemic stressed already fragile health services, forcing authorities and international organisations to implement emergency treatment centres and vaccination campaigns.
South Sudan — Cholera outbreak hits displaced populations | Africa
The cholera crisis in South Sudan, which began in late 2024, escalated in 2025, affecting almost 95,000 people and causing over 1,500 deaths. The outbreak primarily impacted displaced populations and communities with limited access to safe water and healthcare. Humanitarian organisations faced immense challenges in delivering treatment and preventive services in conflict‑affected regions, highlighting the intersection of displacement, poverty, and public health vulnerability.
Democratic Republic of Congo — Ebola outbreak in Kasai province | Central Africa
In September 2025, the DRC declared a new Ebola Virus Disease (Zaire strain) outbreak in Kasai Province. By the time the outbreak was contained in December, there were 81 confirmed cases and 28 deaths, including healthcare workers. The outbreak highlighted persistent weaknesses in surveillance, rapid response capacity, and community engagement in remote regions, underlining the challenges of controlling Ebola even in areas with previous outbreak experience.
Haiti — Cholera resurgence in Port‑au‑Prince | Latin America
Haiti experienced a resurgence of cholera in 2025, with 2,852 suspected cases, 186 confirmed infections, and 48 deaths, mostly among children under nine. The outbreak was concentrated around Port‑au‑Prince and the surrounding areas, exacerbated by weak sanitation infrastructure, poverty, and restricted access to healthcare. International agencies and local authorities mobilised emergency interventions, including treatment centres and water purification programmes, to limit further spread.
Vietnam — Measles epidemic hits children | East Asia
In Viet Nam, over 80,000 suspected measles cases were reported in 2025, amid declining routine vaccination coverage. Other countries in the region, including Cambodia, Mongolia, and the Philippines, also saw significant increases in measles infections, putting tens of thousands of children at risk. WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi warned that these outbreaks were reversing years of progress in immunisation, highlighting the urgent need for catch-up vaccination campaigns and improved access to preventive healthcare.
Bolivia — Measles emergency declared | Latin America
Bolivia declared a public health emergency in response to a measles outbreak that began in June 2025, resulting in 87 confirmed cases. National and international health authorities mobilised to contain the spread, particularly among children, through vaccination drives and awareness campaigns. The outbreak exposed gaps in routine immunisation coverage and underscored the ongoing challenges in maintaining herd immunity in low-resource settings.
Cuba — Dengue, chikungunya and arboviral epidemics strain healthcare | Latin America
In 2025, Cuba confronted a serious public health emergency marked by simultaneous outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne viruses, with cases reported across most of the island and health facilities struggling to cope with demand. Official data and independent reports indicated tens of thousands of infections, with active transmission in multiple provinces and persistent challenges in diagnosis and treatment.
Local health organisations reported shortages of medicines, diagnostic reagents and hospital capacity, while civil society groups called for a formal public health emergency declaration amid overwhelmed clinics and limited resources. The outbreaks unfolded alongside broader systemic strains, including shortages of potable water and gaps in essential services that complicated public health responses.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
