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Angola has significantly expanded its health system over the past eight years, adding 743 new health facilities nationwide, an average of 92 new units per year, the majority of which are integrated into the primary health care network. The announcement was made this Friday as the Government reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating innovative strategies that ensure equitable and universal access to essential health services.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Health Sílvia Lutucuta highlighted that the Angolan Government has placed strong emphasis on the social sector, with health emerging as a top priority. This focus has translated into the expansion of hospital infrastructure and sustained investment in primary health care, which she described as the cornerstone of an effective and inclusive health system.
According to the minister, Angola’s National Health Service has experienced growth across all three levels of care—primary, secondary, and tertiary. The number of health units increased from 2,612 in 2017 to 3,255 by the first half of 2025, reflecting a major national effort to improve service availability. Notably, 80 percent of the facilities built during this period belong to the primary health care network, underscoring the government’s strategy to bring services closer to communities.
In a message marking Universal Health Coverage Day, Sílvia Lutucuta reaffirmed Angola’s determination to accelerate innovative approaches that guarantee fair access to health care, promote population well-being, and prevent financial hardship for families seeking treatment. Under the global theme “Financial Protection for Universal Health Coverage,” the government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all citizens—regardless of location—can access necessary health services with adequate financial safeguards.
The minister acknowledged that achieving universal access to health care remains a global challenge, citing World Health Organization estimates that approximately 4.6 million people worldwide still lack access to essential health services. She stressed that Angola is actively working to reverse this reality through sustained investment in primary health care, widely regarded as the most efficient and cost-effective pathway toward universal health coverage.
Beyond infrastructure, the health sector has also made notable progress in human resource development. Since 2017, the health workforce has grown by 43.6 percent, and the government has launched an ambitious specialization and training program aimed at qualifying approximately 38,000 health professionals by 2028.
The minister also highlighted advances in digital health transformation, including the introduction of telemedicine services and digital platforms that enable real-time monitoring of health and logistical interventions. These tools, she noted, are essential for overcoming geographical barriers, reducing inequalities, and delivering care more efficiently to remote and underserved populations.
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Significant improvements have also been recorded in child health outcomes. Between 2023 and 2024, neonatal mortality fell from 24 to 16 deaths per 1,000 live births, infant mortality declined from 44 to 32 deaths per 1,000 live births, and under-five mortality dropped from 68 to 52 deaths per 1,000 live births. The minister described these results as “extremely encouraging” and indicative of the positive impact of ongoing health reforms. Despite these achievements, Sílvia Lutucuta emphasized that further work remains, reaffirming the government’s resolve to continue strengthening Angola’s health system to ensure sustainable, inclusive, and universal access for all citizens.
