Kilamba Kiaxi, Luanda –Within the coronary heart of Kilamba Kiaxi municipality in Luanda, the Zape Mbundu Medical Heart, led by Director Pedro Zavelela, is enjoying an necessary position in Angola’s combat in opposition to the continuing cholera outbreak. Opened in 2001, the personal clinic is now house to one of many first Oral Rehydration Factors (ORPs) established in Luanda with assist from the World Well being Group (WHO) and funding from the European Union by means of the European Civil Safety and Humanitarian Help Operations (ECHO).
ORPs are important, community-based items that present lifesaving oral rehydration remedy to individuals affected by cholera and acute watery diarrhea. They function the primary line of therapy, serving to stabilize sufferers and scale back extreme dehydration whereas they switch to bigger Cholera Remedy Items (CTUs) if crucial.
With greater than 24,500 cholera circumstances and over 700 reported deaths for the reason that starting of the outbreak, these decentralized facilities are proving important in bringing speedy care nearer to the group.
The ORP at Zape Mbundu Medical Heart highlights the dear position that the personal well being sector can play in supporting the federal government’s outbreak response and strengthening Angola’s broader healthcare supply. “It is a sturdy instance of how personal services can contribute throughout public well being emergencies,” mentioned Pedro Zavelela, noting that his heart has lengthy labored in coordination with native authorities.
Importantly, the ORP can be staffed by skilled group volunteers, together with members of JUCARENTE, a youth affiliation with a historical past of collaboration with WHO on key public well being occasions similar to World Well being Day and polio immunization campaigns. “JUCARENTE provides younger individuals a chance to study, give again, and serve their communities,” mentioned a Omotola Akindipe, Exterior Relations and Partnerships workplace at WHO Angola. “Their vitality and dedication are one of many highlights of our outreach.”
WHO, with ECHO funding, is scaling up this mannequin throughout Angola, with 5 positioned ORPs being established in Luanda alone. These efforts goal to cut back mortality, enhance entry to care, and strengthen group resilience within the face of the nation’s ongoing well being challenges.
As Angola continues its nationwide cholera response, this partnership between the general public sector, personal clinics, worldwide donors, and youth volunteers gives a hopeful mannequin for coordinated, community-centered motion.