Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Luanda (Agenzia Fides) – Years of devastating conflict, demographic changes and economic decline have reduced the people of Angola to a state of poverty and deprivation among the worst in the world. The unhealthy environmental conditions, the difficulty to access drinking water, lengthy rainy season, and lack of basic health services, expose the city's poor to greater risk of disease. In this context, the Italian Missionary Medical Union (UMMI) has been active since 1994 in support of the local population, particularly towards mothers and children. Support for the activities of the UMMI is offered by the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence, who have been present in Luanda since 1984.
Of particular note among the initiatives is the Hospital Divina Providencia (HDP) which cares for the people on the outskirts of the Angolan capital, a landmark for about one million inhabitants. During 2009 and early 2010, about 80,000 children under 14 received medical treatment and basic health care at the HDP and four local health clinics. Up until now more than 2,500 children, including at least 500 at the therapeutic feeding centre for the treatment of severe malnutrition, were admitted to hospital, as well as thousands more cases of outpatients for the prevention of disorders related to lack of food. The paediatric ward has 54 beds, including 18 dedicated to malnourishment. Thanks to the opening of a new bank blood transfusions have tripled and over 200,000 tests have been performed. (AP) (3/3/2011 Agenzia Fides)
