In conjunction with the vaccine – which will be administered in three doses with a booster – the Ministry of Health has also planned other actions to combat the disease, such as continuing to expand integrated vector control actions in the most affected municipalities, providing training to entomologists, as well as expanding its area of operation to monitor mosquitoes entomologically, writes Angop.
However, the measures do not stop there and, with a view to reducing maternal and child mortality, it is also expected to expand the distribution and appropriate use of mosquito nets with long-lasting insecticide, especially in children under five years old and pregnant women, as well as ensuring appropriate diagnosis confirmed in the laboratory and treatment according to defined protocols.
Carlos Pinto de Sousa provided information on the introduction of the malaria vaccine this year at the 23rd edition of the thematic session on the "Programme for the Expansion and Improvement of the National Health System", which aims, among other things, to increase access to quality health services and medicines, contribute to reducing infant and maternal mortality, etc.
At the session, held on Tuesday at the Aníbal de Melo Press Centre (CIAM), the Secretary of State said that the Health sector remains focused on training human capital.
According to the official, quoted in a CIAM press release to which VerAngola had access, the goal is to train more than 18,019 health professionals by 2027, 3204 of whom will be specialized in each field.
The official highlighted "the importance of expanding postgraduate training for doctors, nurses, diagnostic and therapeutic technicians, and the regional system", and that, in addition, the sector also intends to "improve information and the registration of institutions, consolidating a national network of central, provincial and municipal hospitals".
"Among the objectives is to expand access to quality health services and medicines, strengthen the medicines chain, in addition to regulating the pharmaceutical industry", the note reads.
He also said that the country has introduced seven new vaccines: "Angola, now classified as a middle-income country, has introduced seven new vaccines in accordance with the national vaccine program and public policies", he pointed out, as quoted in the statement.
On the occasion, he said that the number of doctors is expected to increase from 7395 to 10,800 and the number of nurses from 49,283 to 78,500, following the completion of public tenders, while, regarding infrastructures, he said, quoted by Angop, that they want the number of hospitals to increase to 307, against 224, and that the number of medical centers increases to 965, against 783.
