In a symbolic event marked by testimonies and the renewal of commitments to ensure that no child is left behind without vaccination, the Angolan government paid a heartfelt tribute to all the volunteers, partners and health professionals who, over the decades, have dedicated their lives to the fight to eradicate polio in Angola. 

According to the Minister of Health, Dr Silvia Lutucuta, Angola praises the sacrifice and bravery of health professionals, partners and volunteers who have faced immense challenges, from armed conflicts to inaccessible terrain, to protect children from polio. 

“This is a journey marked by immense challenges but also by unwavering courage and the conviction that no obstacle is greater than guaranteeing vaccination and every child’s right to a healthy future. We celebrate the achievements and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to completing this journey. May this honour serve as an eternal tribute to all who, yesterday and today, have dedicated their lives to the cause of public health in Angola. Together, we will continue to write this story of overcoming and hope until polio is just a distant memory”.

Since Angola joined the global initiative to eradicate polio with the launch of the ‘A World Without Polio’ programme on World Health Day, 7 April 1995, the efforts of thousands of women and men have been the cornerstone of this national commitment. Since then, the first mobilisation campaigns, including children’s competitions and sports tournaments such as the emblematic Angola_Chuta a Pólio in 1997, sparked a wave of national solidarity and volunteerism. These moments became significant in accelerating polio eradication initiatives in Angola, reinforced by the commitment of health professionals, communities, religious leaders, local administrations, the army, non-governmental organisations, UN agencies and the private sector.

José Soares Caetano, the first WHO health promotion officer in Angola and a former member of the launch committee for the global initiative to eradicate polio in Angola, together with Balbina Felix, Joana Admiro and Sandra Regina, also WHO officials, are among those honoured as Polio Champions. 

In his speech, José Caetano expressed his thanks to the WHO, mentioning that it had been a historic event, above all because a retiree had been chosen from the WHO team in Angola, with the right to give a speech in a tribute attended by figures at the highest level of the government and also from the former MINSA team, such as former Minister José Van-Dúnem and Vice-Minister Teresa Cohen, among others. 

“If there is a merit, an award, or a commendation to be made, it will undoubtedly be for the coalition partners to eradicate Polio, emphasising the WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, the Armed Forces, the Churches, and the private sector. We are very grateful for the joint work with the Government of Angola over the years to vaccinate and protect all children from contracting infantile paralysis”.

The actions of the past paved the way for today’s advances, inspiring a new generation of professionals to take up the baton. Today, new challenges face the country in trying to eradicate polio, including cross-border population movement and several informal cross-border crossing points with all the risks of importing poliovirus, inadequate infrastructure, misinformation, hesitancy to vaccinate, limited healthcare workforce and insufficient funding. 

Although the Angolan government declared an end to the interruption of wild poliovirus transmission in November 2015, Dr Fernanda Alves, Coordinator of the WHO Office in Angola, believes that the efforts and determination of the past continue to guide current initiatives to eradicate polio. Adding that, “Angola has made commendable progress in its fight against polio and has developed crucial initiatives to maintain its status as a polio-free country, a merit that is also due to the selfless commitment of polio champions who have fought to ensure that no child in Angola suffers from polio”.

“Eradicating polio means that no child will ever again suffer the paralysis caused by the polio virus and the lifelong disability caused by this disease. It also means that resources currently devoted to polio can be redirected to other pressing health challenges, amplifying the impact of global health initiatives. The WHO will continue to honour the efforts of the polio champions by supporting the government of Angola to overcome the challenges of polio eradication through a multifaceted approach, including strengthening surveillance, improving vaccination coverage, tackling vaccine hesitancy, implementing innovative strategies, and reinforcing sustained political and financial commitment”. 

The tribute to Angola’s Polio Champions was attended by Members of the central government, Vice-Governors for the Political and Social Sector, Heads of the Provincial Health Office and Heads of the Provincial Public Health Departments, Representatives of UN agencies, national and international organisations, the private sector, and civil society.