VATICAN - “Train qualified personal, build new health structures, guarantee medicines” Angola’s health minister Ms Albertina Nahosse Henrique Hamurkwaya illustrates her programme

Saturday, 22 May 2004

Vatican City (Fides Service) - On the occasion of a day of study on the theme “Economic and social development of Africa in the era of globalisation”, organised by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in Rome on May 21, Angola’s health minister Ms Albertina Nahosse Henrique Hamurkwaya was kind enough to speak with Fides about the situation in that country after 30 years of civil war.

What are the main problems with regard health in your country?
In Africa 200 million people suffer from Malaria, 34 million from HIV/AIDS and about 9 million have TB. In Angola, a country with a population of 14 million, malaria is the main cause of death. Our country was seriously damaged by years of civil war which caused widespread destruction of infrastructures including health structures and uprooted the greater part of the population from its places of origin. In addition we saw an increase in endemic diseases such as malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS and sleeping sickness, and also diseases now preventable with vaccination including tetanus and yellow fever, pathologies which continue to kill children.
We are trying to rebuild and improve our health structures. We are investing in a programme to train qualified personnel and to guarantee necessary medicines and medical equipment. The end of the war has at last permitted the launching of a National Plan to Fight Disease identified as a government priority for the next five years.

What is done by the local Catholic Church and other institutions engaged in helping the country in the field of healthcare ?
The Catholic Church, together with humanitarian organisations, governmental and NGOs, is very committed to sustaining Angola’s health activity. Its role in health education and medical assistance in our country is fundamental. At present, for example, it is involved in a project called “Angotrip” to deal with the problem of sleeping disease. The Church also has an important role in information, community education and formation. Our link with the Church is very strong, in the past it played a very important role for communication with the people in many cases. For example for the prevention of AIDS Church leaders transmitted their educational message of prevention to the people. Nevertheless, although the support we receive from many sides is helpful, it is not sufficient to satisfy all the needs.

What can industrialised countries do to support you in the process of rebuilding?
First of all we need financial backing for programmes and projects especially in the sector of formation. We need institutional support to improve our health system, this is fundamental; moreover we need more financial aid from specially created international funds such as the Global Fund against AIDS, Malaria and TB, and it would be helpful to institute direct funds for the country to be able to tackle all these diseases.
To fight poverty and promote development demands necessarily investment in formation, education and in the people’s health. (AP) (22/5/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:46; Parole:533)


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