Benguela - The increase in testing capacity and the significant reduction in HIV mortality are some of the gains of the partnership between the Angolan Ministry of Health and the United Nations Global Fund.
This statement was made by the provincial director of Health in Benguela, António Cabinda, when speaking to the press, at the end of the visit of a delegation from the Global Fund, officials from the United Nations and the NGO World Vision.
'There is more availability of medicines and more people adhering to treatment. This means that there is a reduction in mortality and also in the transmission of the disease,' he explained.
According to the person responsible, it was possible to expand units in the Tuberculosis component and also ensure greater availability of medicines.
A similar process was carried out with Malaria, where there was, very recently, a massive campaign to distribute mosquito nets across the province.
'In addition, the units continue to carry out routine distribution and there is greater availability of tests to diagnose that pathology', he stated.
Regarding the stock of medicines, the director said there was no constraint.
'Despite the direct support for these three pathologies, there was also an increase in resources, mainly vehicles, for monitoring and supervision', he revealed.
António Cabinda also reported that the equipment of some hospital units had improved, with monitors and other means, including for critically ill patients.
'The assembly of four oxygen plants is underway that will operate at the General Hospital of Benguela, the Regional Hospital of Lobito and the Municipal Hospitals of Bocoio and Cubal', he informed.
Following the investments, the director also announced the acquisition of an incinerator with the capacity to cover the province's needs and the reinforcement of the transport network with another ambulance.
Regarding the Regional Medicines Deposit, he said that it was a 'great effort' made by the Provincial Government of Benguela, in a short time, within the scope of the agreements with the Global Fund.
'It will be from this Deposit that the resources provided by the Global Fund will be distributed to other units, as well as making it possible to make better use of the resources', he stated.
'Throughout this process, we left here with full conviction that the complementarity between the Government and the Global Fund resulted in a perfect marriage', concluded the doctor.
In turn, the director of the Global Fund for Africa, Asia and Latin America, Caty Fall Sow, stated that the partnership is in compliance and took the opportunity to reaffirm the preparations for signing the new subsidy agreement for Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV, for the provinces of Benguela, Cuanza-Sul and Bié
It is one hundred and twenty-six million dollars, which, according to her, will be distributed to those provinces will depend on the levels of diseases existing in each of them, adding that the distribution will be fair.
Asked about the balance of the previous grant, she only said that 'the most important thing is support for the population, where the Angolan Government makes its own investments, financing the three areas, and also in resilient health systems', she concluded. TC/CRB/DOJ
