Luanda, 7 April 2011 -- The Angolan Minister of Health, Dr. José Van-Dunem, and the Minister of Health and Social Services of Namibia, Dr. Richard Kamwi, on Tuesday 5th April 2011 signed a joint statement in which they committed themselves to coordinating and improving health interventions along the borders between the two countries.

The «Luanda Statement» was signed at the end of the mission to Angola from 4- 5 April 2011 as part of the implementation of the Lusaka Memorandum of Understanding adopted by Health ministers of Angola, Congo, DR Congo, Namibia and Zambia and witnessed by the WHO Regional Director for Africa. The Minister of Namibia stressed that his discussions with Angolan health authorities were a result of the excellent relationship between the two countries and their heads of States».

WHO Representatives in Namibia and Angola, respectively Dr. Magda Robalo and Dr. Rui Gama Vaz, as well as the Namibian Ambassador to Angola, Mrs Grace Munyama, witnessed the signing of the «Luanda Statement» on Tuesday 5th April 2011.

TB control, delivery of heath care to people living with HIV/AIDS, synchronized efforts for polio immunization, malaria control, and ensuring primary health care along cross border areas have been the main health issues discussed in Luanda by both delegations from Angola and Namibia.

On Monday 4th April, technical experts from both countries met at the Ministry of Health in Angola to discuss a package of common issues, such as the cost of treatment and tariffs paid by Angolan citizens who seek health care in Namibian health institutions; harmonization of policy guidelines and methods of treatment between Angola and Namibia in order to facilitate treatment adherence when patients move from one country to the other; formalization of patient referral mechanisms; and facilitating patient tracing by reducing administrative barriers in the border areas.

Angola and Namibia agreed upon establishing a joint team of experts to find out solutions and to improve public health interventions at different levels along cross border areas before the end of April 2011.

Both countries expressed their willingness to conduct case studies on all issues regarding access to health care in the border areas of Rundu and Calai, and Engela and Namacunde, before the end of May 2011.

According to the «Luanda Statement», Angola and Namibia committed to use findings and recommendations from such «case studies» for introduction of specific measures to overcome identified problems;

The «Luanda Statement» also underlined the need to report on a quarterly basis, progress made at technical level as well as to hold two meetings at ministerial level every year between the two countries.

At the end of the meeting, the Ministers announced that a similar meeting will be held on the 25th of April 2011 in Ondjiva, Cunene Province, Angola on the occasion of the launching of the Trans-Cunene Malaria Initiative.

Issued by WHO Office in Angola.

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