Ndalatando: President João Lourenço clarified, on Tuesday in Ndalatando, that the service provided to the homeland is the reason for the attribution to the new infrastructures of the names of individuals linked to politics, religion or other areas. The President upheld this principle when speaking to journalists following the inauguration of the Mário Pinto de Andrade General Hospital, one of the main African intellectuals and nationalist leaders of the twentieth century, especially known for his role in the struggle for Angola’s independence.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Mário Pinto de Andrade was born on August 21, 1928, in the municipality of Golungo Alto, Cuanza-Norte province. He was one of the founders of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in 1956, an organization that would become the main movement that freed Angolans from the then Portuguese colonial repression, before becoming a political party. The archives attest to his significant contributions.
President Lourenço
stated, “There are many who have done so, those who have served the homeland, but unfortunately we are not going to build as many hospitals as the number of patriots who deserve to be distinguished.” This was in response to questions about the criteria for naming new hospitals and whether the process would continue. He emphasized that there are various ways to honor the patriots who contributed significantly to Angola’s independence, noting the possibility of naming other infrastructure projects such as streets, squares, and airports after these figures.
The President highlighted that the common factor among those honored is their service to the nation during challenging periods. In recent years, several hospitals have been named after nationalists connected to politics, religion, and science, including the Azancot de Menezes Maternal-Infant Hospital, the Cardinal Dom Alexandre do Nascimento Hospital Complex for Cardio-Pulmonary Diseases, and others located in Luanda and Bié.
Regarding the inauguration of t
he Mário Pinto de Andrade General Hospital on November 12, 2024, President Lourenço noted that it marks the beginning of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Angola’s independence, which will continue until December 2025.