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Angola: Healthcare System
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 The Republic
of Angola, more commonly known as Angola, is located in South West
Africa. Angola shares land borders with the Democratic Republic of
Congo to the north, Zambia to the east and Namibia to the south.
The Atlantic Ocean forms the country’s western coastline. Angola
has a population of approximately 18.5 million people within a
total land area of 1,246,700 square kilometers. Angola enjoys a
tropical climate with alternating wet and dry seasons. The wet
season is hot and humid and is typically from October to May. The
dry season, June to September, is cool and pleasant. Centuries of
Portuguese rule ended in 1975 when Angola achieved independence. A
devastating 27 year civil war followed which had a detrimental
affect on living standards. Post-war Angola has seen strong
economic development and now boasts one of the fastest growing
economies in the world, largely due to its vast mineral and
petroleum reserves. Portuguese remains the official language of
Angola and is widely spoken by all Angolans. The two largest
ethnic groups, Ovimbundu and Ambundu, each have their own
language.
The civil war had a negative impact on a variety of social
factors, specifically the development of national infrastructure,
health and education. Inadequate funding and development of the
healthcare system has resulted in Angola having a very high infant
mortality rate – 176 deaths per 1,000 live births. Widespread
prevalence of malaria, malnutrition, pneumonia, and meningitis
have all contributed to this large number of infant deaths. Health
facilities are generally poor and limited in the treatments that
they are capable of providing. Facilities in the capital Luanda,
particularly private clinics, are of a higher quality although
they still fall short of international standards.
Angolans living in remote and rural parts of the country have no
access to medical care and are required to travel long distances
to medical centers. Despite bilateral agreements with Cuba that
have allowed up to 800 Cuban medical professionals to work there,
Angola still suffers from chronic shortages in facilities,
personnel, medicines and pharmaceuticals. Angola’s government has
acknowledged that improving the country’s health services are one
of its greatest challenges and that investment in health is also
dependent on investment in basic infrastructure.
The Angolan Ministry of Health (MINSA) is responsible for the
provision of health services throughout the country. The recently
published District Health Strategy offers a new approach to assist
the poorest members of the population and to provide increased
accessibility to general health care. Health service delivery is
divided into three levels of care: primary, secondary and tertiary
with the levels of care corresponding to the three levels of
government - district, provincial and national. Funding of primary
care facilities has increased significantly in recent years
resulting in improved access to basic health services. Angola is,
in contrast to many of its neighbors, less dependent on
international donor funding with approximately 80 percent of total
health expenditure provided by the public sector. The total health
expenditure as a percentage of GDP has remained low and is
approximately 3 per cent per annum. Use of private health
facilities is highest in Luanda and other cities with large
populations. Increasing numbers of companies based in the larger
population centers are using private health facilities in Angola
through private health insurance providers. Health services are
also available at a number of private medical facilities such as
Climed.
In general, private medical facilities and clinics are generally
of a better standard in comparison to their public counterparts.
Expatriates and short term visitors who require medical treatment
are advised to use private medical facilities wherever possible.
Patients will be asked to pay in cash at the time of treatment,
regardless of whether or not they hold Angola medical insurance. A
lack of medical specialists and equipment means that patients who
require serious medical attention will need medical evacuation to
South Africa which has up-to-date modern facilities. Expatriates
and short term visitors to Angola are strongly advised to purchase
Angola international health insurance which provides cover in
the event of a medical evacuation to South Africa and subsequent
return to their home country.
Revenues from the sale of oil and minerals have been largely
responsible for Angola’s impressive post war economic growth.
Increasing levels of financial support have been diverted towards
the health sector and some successes have been noted. Angola is
effectively tackling shortages in trained medical personnel by
increasing the number of Universities and other facilities that
provide medical training. A program that aims to contact and
entice Angolan doctors working outside the country to return has
also been initiated. The government has also identified a basic
lack of education, malnutrition, malaria, cholera and food
vulnerability as the main causes of Angola’s high infant mortality
rate and considerable funding has now been allocated to various
programs designed to tackle this major problem. UNICEF have also
provided financial assistance and medical volunteers who have
increased access to pre-natal care, distributed sterilized
mosquito nets and provided post-natal vaccinations.
Expatriates and first time visitors to Angola and the region are
advised to seek medical advice before traveling. Receiving the
Routine vaccination along with vaccinations for Hepatitis,
Typhoid, Polio, Yellow Fever and Rabies are all strongly
recommended. Malaria is widespread and travelers should exercise
caution at all times by using anti-insect repellant, wearing
trousers and long sleeve shirts and by using bed nets whenever
possible. Polio, in particular, is endemic and there is a high
risk of contracting the disease in Angola. Receiving specific
medical advice regarding Polio is advised and polio boosters are
recommended if it has been 10 years or more since the initial
vaccination. Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required on
arrival in Angola. Various other viruses and diseases have been
known to suddenly affect the country. In 2005, an outbreak of
Marburg virus killed 132 people. Unexploded ordnance remaining
after the civil war affects over 200 square kilometers of land or
approximately one fifth of the population. Suspect areas are
usually marked with red tape and signposted and visitors are urged
to exercise caution if they are required to travel to such an
area.
Crime is a serious problem throughout Angola. Petty street crime
and crimes of opportunity such as pick pocketing and purse
snatching are common in Luanda at all times of day and night.
Sporadic fighting can sometimes break out in the areas of Cabinda
and the provinces of Lunda North and Lunda South. Extreme caution
is urged if travel to either of these areas is necessary.
Non-nationals are advised to carry their passport and valid visa
with them at all times. Emergency services including police,
ambulance and fire brigade can be contacted by dialing 113.
Purchasing Angola international health insurance before traveling to Angola is
strongly recommended. To ensure you are adequately protected from
high healthcare, medical treatment and air evacuation costs,
invest in an international health insurance plan. For more
information about the products and services Globalsurance can
offer, or to receive a free global health insurance quote, please
contact one of our dedicated advisers today.
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