Bengo: Neurodevelopmental disorders are a public health problem affecting many families in Angola, as stated by the national director of hospitals, Benedito Quinta, in northern Bengo province. He made this announcement during the inauguration of a neurodevelopment screening campaign aimed at prioritizing neurodevelopment in healthcare assistance programs.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the three-day campaign seeks to integrate neurodevelopmental disorders into the public healthcare network, emphasizing the necessity for specialized and appropriate clinical follow-up. Quinta highlighted the government’s efforts to train national staff equipped to address the diverse health needs of the population affected by these disorders.
Line Duarte, a neurodevelopment specialist, noted that the campaign would aid in establishing statistics on children with neurodevelopmental disorders. It aims to intervene and instruct families on procedures for managing issues like speech and perception problems in children dur
ing their early years.
Geovani João Malega, director-general of Bengo Hospital ‘Reverendo Guilherme Pereira Inglês’, stated that 32 health professionals, including doctors, nurses, and technicians, are prepared to participate in the campaign. Some cases identified during the campaign will receive treatment starting January 2025.
Rosália Bandje, an aunt of a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder, commended the initiative, recognizing its role in addressing the pleas of many families for assistance. Neurodevelopmental disorders affect abilities related to memory, speech, social interaction, and perception.
