LUANDA, ANGOLA - The World Health Organization (WHO) in Angola has been making significant strides in public health thanks to the robust support from various agencies of the United States Government such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This collaboration highlights the importance of the US as a key partner, enabling WHO to offer important assistance to the Angolan government in improving the health and well-being of its people.

Eradicating Polio: A Success Story

One of the most remarkable achievements of this partnership is in the field of polio eradication. With financial support for surveillance, Supplementary Immunization Activities and human resources from the US, Angola achieved a milestone in being declared free from wild polio in 2015. The fight continued against vaccine-derived polio (cVPDVP2), with US-funded operations successfully halting the virus's circulation, with the last case reported in February 2020.

Combating COVID-19

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic also saw significant US involvement. The US provided financial, technical, and logistical support for vaccination efforts, contributing to the ongoing success of the Global Vax Initiative. This project aims to fully vaccinate at least 70% of Angola's population, with current coverage at 87% for the first dose and 51% fully vaccinated.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

The partnership extends beyond funding, with technical and logistical support provided by US agencies like AFENET and CDC, particularly in tackling polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases. This collaboration has enhanced Angola's capacity in epidemiological surveillance and response, ensuring more robust health systems.

New Initiatives in HIV Prevention and Treatment

A new project with USAID, that started in October 2023, focuses on HIV prevention and treatment in the provinces of Cunene and Huambo. This initiative aims to increase HIV awareness, improve treatment and care quality, and strengthen data analysis and monitoring for HIV/AIDS.

Future of the collaboration

The US government and her agencies such as USAID, CDC, and the US State Government have been a vital partner for WHO Angola. This partnership stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in tackling global health challenges at the country level. Moving forward, this partnership is expected to grow in line with the support towards Universal Health Coverage, Health Security and addressing health determinants in Angola.