Luanda, 08 November 2019 - The Ministry of Health, with the support of the WHO, held a technical meeting in Luanda to evaluate the national capacity to implement the International Health Regulations (IHR), a fundamental vehicle for responding to adverse health situations and protecting world health safety.

During 3 days of work, specialists from various sectors of the country carried out an open, interdisciplinary and collaborative evaluation of existing and sustainable internal mechanisms for responding to the main threats to public health, based on three fundamental criteria defined by the international community, namely the internal capacity for prevention, detection, and response to adverse health situations. 
 
The WHO Acting Representative in Angola, Dr. Fernanda Alves said that self-assessment is an initial step in the Joint External Assessment process, a comprehensive mechanism that will enable the creation of objective conditions for compliance with the International Health Regulations.

 "We welcome this Government initiative, which has enabled us to candidly  assessed ourselves in order to create the necessary conditions for the protection of citizens in the event of a disease outbreak”. In accordance with the IHR, countries must develop and maintain the necessary surveillance and response capacities to detect, assess, notify and respond to any public health emergency. “ This  process is of utmost importance for the implementation of the IHR and the prevention of unnecessary interference in traffic and international trade at the same time, " she added
With over 150 outbreaks of severe public health emergencies every year, a WHO studies show that, the African region faces continual health security threats that drastically affect the lives of people and the economies of countries..  Angola is not exempted.  
In recent years, outbreaks of cholera, Marburg, yellow fever, polio and measles, as well as severe drought in the south of the country, floods and rapid population growth continue to put significant pressure on the provision and access to quality health services. 

Assessing the country's capacity to respond to public health threats is a critical step that  will contribute to strengthening the health system to  prevent, detect and respond to major public health threats. 
With the completion of the self-assessment, Angola has completed the initial step to host the Joint External Assessment, scheduled for 18 to 22 November 2019, with the participation of national and international experts.

Para informação adicional, por favor contactar:
Olívio Gambo, Oficial de Comunicação da OMS em Angola, Tel: +244 923 61 48 57, Email: gamboo [at] who.int