Luanda, Angola, 16 May 2023 - In a symbolic ceremony with the participation of crucial health partners, the Government of Angola and the World Health Organization (WHO) officially launched the WHO 75th anniversary celebrations with an eye on repositioning Primary Health Care to ensure that individuals, families, everywhere, can access affordable, equitable, good quality and sustainable health care, without having to face financial difficulties.

"WHO's mandate throughout history has proven that together we are stronger, and we can respond to the challenges that threaten global health daily and protect our populations," said the Minister of State for Social Affairs, Dr. Dalva Ringote. "Angola congratulates WHO for reaching this important milestone, and we count on your leadership to overcome the challenges together and ensure Health for All."

Seventy-five years ago, the countries of the world came together and founded WHO so that everyone, everywhere, can achieve the highest level of health and well-being. More than seven and a half decades later, this commitment remains current and crucial to ensuring Health for All.

"As we look back on WHO's long and challenging journey, we have much to be proud of. Over the past seven and a half decades, extraordinary progress has been made in public health and protecting people from disease," emphasized Dr Dalva Ringote.

In Angola, since the signing of the Basic Agreement between the World Health Organization and the Government of Angola in 1976, the country has always been side by side with the WHO, actively participating in the definition of policies, guidelines, strategies, and actions crucial to improving health in the world and Angola.

As a result of this partnership, several initiatives have been developed that have led to exciting progress in reducing maternal and child mortality and mortality due to certain diseases and strengthening the capacity to respond to public health emergencies, namely the success achieved in eradicating polio and controlling several epidemics such as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever and, more recently, in combating COVID19, including vaccination.

However, Angola still faces enormous challenges in ensuring Health For All and achieving Universal Health Coverage, including still limited access to quality health services, especially in the most remote areas; routine vaccination coverage levels that have regressed in recent years resulting in a considerable increase in the number of unvaccinated children susceptible to common childhood diseases; the still high levels of malaria, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, pneumonia, acute and chronic malnutrition, the increase in chronic non-communicable diseases, the still insufficient quality of information system data, among others.

According to the WHO Representative in Angola, Dr. Djamila Cabral, the World Health Organization is convinced that by strengthening primary health care, including community health, the still persistent health challenges can be addressed in a more holistic and integrated way, accelerate progress, and significantly improve the health of the Angolan populations.

"We reiterate our commitment to work with the Government and other partners to reposition primary health care and ensure that equity in access to health services, especially for the most vulnerable such as women, children, and the elderly, is accelerated and the country can move swiftly towards achieving Health for All."

The launch ceremony of the WHO 75th anniversary celebrations, which will run until 7 April 2024, was attended by members of the Government, Representatives of United Nations Agencies, Diplomatic Corps accredited in Angola, and critical health partners, among others.

This celebration, which aims to highlight the remarkable progress that the world has made for public health, highlight the challenges and future aspirations to ensure "Health for All,” and motivate action to address the health challenges of today and tomorrow.

About WHO:

The World Health Organization contributes to a better future for people worldwide. Good health lays the foundation for vibrant and productive communities, stronger economies, safer nations, and a better world. As the leading health authority within the United Nations system, our work touches people’s daily lives. In Africa, WHO serves 47 Member States and works with development partners to improve the health and well-being of everyone on our continent.