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Angola
Public health situation in Angola remains critical (July 2003)
- Angola has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world
- Global malnutrition rates were less than five per cent in three locations in Huambo, Huíla and Malanje Provinc
- Global malnutrition rates were between five and 10 per cent in 12 locations in the provinces of Benguela, Bié, Huíla, Kuando Kubango, Lunda Sul and Malanje
“The overall public health situation in Angola remains critical, with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. In addition, infant mortality exceeds 17% and the mortality rate for children under five is almost 30%. Preventable childhood diseases, particularly measles, claim the lives of more than 10,000 children per year. Of increasing alarm is the relatively high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in returning refugees. As Angola opens up to refugee returns, cross-border commerce, and internal population movements, the risk of rapid spread of the HIV virus increases.
In FY 2003, USAID/OFDA provided International Medical Corps (IMC) nearly $2 million to support emergency health initiatives with medicines, vaccinations, medical supplies, and basic health training in Huambo, Uíge and Malanje provinces. In addition, USAID/OFDA provided nearly $500,000 support to Africare in Bié province, for collaboration with the Ministry of Health to extend cold chain coverage and vaccination support to recently accessed areas. In Moxico province, USAID/OFDA also provided nearly $700,000 to GOAL to support public health interventions including improved maternal and child health support.” (USAID, 9 May 2003)
“The general nutrition situation in the country has stabilised, although pockets of acute malnutrition remain. Partners continue to recommend active nutrition screening in communities and systematic screening at health facilities to detect pockets of malnutrition in a timely manner and treat cases of malnutrition at an early stage.
The Nutrition Coordination Sub-Group and UNICEF has compiled information from 15 nutritional surveys conducted with residents, IDPs, returnees, and families of demobilised soldiers in seven provinces between November 2002 and April 2003. According to the surveys, global malnutrition rates were less than five per cent in three locations in Huambo, Huíla and Malanje Provinces and between five and 10 per cent in 12 locations in the provinces of Benguela, Bié, Huíla, Kuando Kubango, Lunda Sul and Malanje. The locations with severe malnutrition rates between one and three per cent were Kuito (Bié Province), Caconda and Chipindo (Huíla Province), Mavinga and Kuito Kuanavale (Kuando Kubango Province), Saurimo, Muconda, Dala and Cacolo (Lunda Sul Province), and Lombe (Malanje Province). The nutritional situation in many of these locations has reportedly improved since the end of the rainy season and following nutritional interventions by humanitarian partners.
In addition, the sub-group reported in June that during May, 21 centres, including therapeutic feeding centres and nutrition rehabilitation units in hospitals, treated severe malnutrition in eight provinces (Bié, Benguela, Huíla, Huambo, Kuando Kubango, Malanje, Moxico and Uíge. Although admissions levels in therapeutic feeding centres are at the lowest levels since before September 1999, the situation in several provinces, particularly Huambo and Huíla, should be closely monitored and screening coverage should be improved. The group also recommended that efforts should be made to maintain and improve skills on acute malnutrition screening and treatment at the provincial level. Source: Nutrition Coordination Sub-Group, June 2003” (UN OCHA, 10 July 2003)
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