In a joint mission with the United Nations Refugee Company (UNHCR), the World Well being Group (WHO) performed an essential evaluation of well being companies in refugee settlement in Lunda Norte province, Angola, from 30 September to 2 October. This mission aimed to guage the standard and collaboration of well being companies offered on the Lôvua Refugee Settlement, a house to 1000’s of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2017. 

The Lôvua settlement was established following the 2017 emergency, the place roughly 35,000 Congolese refugees fled violence within the Kasai area of the DRC, in search of security in Angola. Right now, round 9,000 of these refugees stay within the province, with 6,000 residing within the Lôvua settlement.

The WHO workforce collaborated carefully with key companions, together with UNHCR’s Head of Workplace in Lunda Norte, Ms. Jasmine Fernanda Rodríguez and the Evangelical Church of Brothers in Angola (IEIA), UNHCR’s well being associate within the area. They centered on understanding the companies out there to each refugees and the host inhabitants, notably on the Lôvua clinic, which supplies complete Main Well being Care companies similar to vaccinations, maternal and youngster well being care, therapy of endemic illnesses together with referral to close by hospitals, and psychosocial help. Serving roughly 250 sufferers weekly, of which 30% are from the host group, the clinic performs an essential function regardless of ongoing funding and useful resource challenges. 

©WHO/Omotola Akindipe

Moreover, the workforce met with the Vice Administrator of Lôvua Municipality, Mr. Maliangue Alberto, to debate strengthening partnerships and well being system growth within the area. WHO additionally visited the Lôvua well being heart and the Municipal hospital, at present present process rehabilitation, showcasing ongoing efforts to enhance well being infrastructure.

A key spotlight of the mission was the go to to the Well being Technical Institute of Lunda Norte, the place discussions with the varsity’s director opened alternatives for future collaboration in well being promotion and capability constructing. The institute’s efforts to attach college students with different tertiary establishments in Angola similar to Rainha Njinga A Mbande in Malanje, with which WHO signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 11 September 2024, and increase its attain to susceptible areas have been praised as essential steps towards bettering healthcare schooling.

 ©WHO/Omotola Akindipe

This mission underscores WHO’s dedication to making sure that refugees and native communities in Lunda Norte have entry to high quality healthcare. In partnership with UNHCR and native organizations, WHO stays devoted to supporting well being companies that go away nobody behind, as a part of broader efforts towards reaching Common Well being Protection in Angola.

With a give attention to sustainability and resilience, WHO and its companions proceed to work towards supporting the Authorities of Angola in constructing a stronger healthcare system for all, prioritizing these in probably the most susceptible conditions.