In a bid to safeguard public health, Angola is ramping up efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB), the third leading cause of death in the country.
This intensified action comes despite Angola ranking among the 20 nations worldwide shouldering the heaviest burden of TB.
“Eliminating tuberculosis is not just a public health concern; it’s a matter of poverty reduction as well,” stated Professor Dr. Carlos Pinto de Sousa, Secretary of State for Public Health. “The Angolan government views its eradication as a top priority and a chance to propel the country’s social and economic development.”
While strides have been made in expanding the TB service network, significant challenges persist. Regions like Benguela, Namibe, and Luanda continue to grapple with higher-than-average TB incidence and prevalence rates.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided support in revising Angola’s National TB Strategic Plan and developing a new one for 2023-2027. This aligns with the global commitment to end TB by 2030.
“We must maintain collaboration to develop innovative approaches for reaching vulnerable populations and ensuring they receive proper TB care and management,” said Dr. Yoti Zabulon, Acting WHO Representative in Angola.
The WHO applauds Angola’s efforts and emphasizes that swift action, increased investment, adopting new WHO TB elimination recommendations, and bolstering multisectoral and international collaboration are crucial to accelerate the TB response and save lives.
Globally, TB is the second-deadliest infectious disease after COVID-19, claiming roughly 1.3 million lives annually and affecting an estimated 10.6 million people.
This year’s World TB Day theme, “Yes, We Can End Tuberculosis,” underscores the urgency of intensified action and reflection on progress made and challenges faced in eliminating TB as a public health threat. Angola marked the day with a national workshop on TB and various provincial activities involving key partners in the fight against the epidemic.
ABJ/APA