Angola and Brazil Launch Healthcare Training Program to Strengthen Public Health Systems

On April 25, 2024, Angola and Brazil launched a healthcare training program aimed at improving technical capacity and strengthening public health systems in both countries. The initiative seeks to bolster Angola's public health system through technical-educational cooperation between the two nations.

The program is part of the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), which has been investing in Angola's health sector for over 25 years. The PMI has made significant progress in testing and treating malaria, with malaria deaths in Zaire province cut nearly in half from 2020 to 2023. The U.S. government, through USAID, is now expanding its work to the Moxico province, where malaria prevalence is the highest in the country, with 40% of children under five testing positive.

The partnership between the U.S. and Angola aims to train more health workers, provide greater access to malaria tests, bed nets, and treatments, and strengthen the ability to monitor and test mosquitoes carrying the virus. The goal is to eradicate malaria in Angola, and the U.S. government has committed to continuing its investments in this area in the years ahead.

Why this matters: Strengthening public health systems and combating diseases like malaria are critical for improving the health and well-being of populations in developing countries. International partnerships and initiatives play a vital role in sharing expertise, resources, and best practices to tackle global health challenges.

The launch of the healthcare training program comes amid declining vaccination coverage in Brazil, which has seen over 90,000 fewer children receiving the polio vaccine in 2022 compared to 2021. However, Brazil's Health Minister noted a 'turning point' in 2023, with 13 out of 16 main childhood vaccines showing increased coverage. The program is part of efforts to address public health challenges in the region and ensure high-quality healthcare for all children.

The healthcare training program between Angola and Brazil builds upon the discussions held during the recent visit of USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma to Luanda, Angola, on April 23-24, 2023. During their meetings with government officials, civil society actors, medical researchers, and private sector representatives, they discussed opportunities for American investment to drive inclusive economic growth, particularly in the agriculture sector and the development of the Lobito Corridor.

Key Takeaways

• Angola and Brazil launched a healthcare training program to improve public health.
• The program aims to bolster Angola's public health system through technical cooperation.
• The U.S. government, through USAID, is expanding its work to combat malaria in Angola.
• The program is part of efforts to address public health challenges in the region.
• The program builds upon discussions during a recent visit by USAID and State Dept. officials.