LUANDA: The Angolan government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the country’s healthcare infrastructure until it achieves satisfactory national coverage, President João Lourenço announced on Tuesday. Speaking at the inauguration of the Mário Pinto de Andrade General Hospital in Cuanza-Norte, Lourenço emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to build and inaugurate hospitals at a steady pace.
According to Angola Press News Agency, President Lourenço highlighted the government’s recent success in opening four to five hospital units annually, with ambitions to double this number by 2025. The strategy aims to enhance access to health services for the population through the construction of hospital units at various levels, including primary, secondary, and tertiary care.
The president expressed particular concern for two areas within the health sector: oncology services and the local production of medicines and vaccines. An Oncology Hospital is currently under construction in Luanda, with completion
expected by 2026. Additionally, the government plans to collaborate with the private sector to establish manufacturing units for medicines, which could reduce the country’s dependence on imports.
The health sector remains a top government priority, with notable improvements in healthcare outcomes. Child mortality rates have decreased significantly, and maternal mortality has also seen a marked reduction. A transformative effort is underway within the National Health Service to achieve universal coverage, with primary healthcare units responsible for the majority of consultations.
Angola’s health network now comprises over 3,000 units, including health posts, municipal hospitals, and specialized hospitals. Recent investments have bolstered tertiary-level hospitals in provinces like Bengo and Cunene, enhancing the quality of complex medical care available in areas such as neurosurgery and cardiac surgery.
The government has initiated the Robotic Surgery Implementation Program this year, with support from spe
cialists in the United States, to stay abreast of technological advancements in healthcare. Additionally, efforts to expand hemodialysis services for patients with kidney failure are underway.
To support the growing healthcare network, the government has hired 46,705 health professionals since 2017, marking a 43.6% increase in the workforce. This expansion is crucial to addressing existing deficits and meeting the demands of the health sector’s growth.