Angola commits to strengthening preparedness and response to health emergencies with the support of the Pandemic Fund

Angola is taking a decisive step towards protecting the health of its population. This week, the National Technical Group concluded the definition of the main activities of the national proposal to the Pandemic Fund, a global initiative that aims to strengthen the capacity to respond to outbreaks and health emergencies in low- and middle-income countries. 

With 500 million dollars available in this third call, Angola is strategically positioned to raise funds that will transform the national public health system, focusing on prevention, early detection, and effective response to health emergencies. 

According to WHO Representative in Angola, Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, “We firmly believe that Angola has an excellent opportunity to obtain funding in this round, significantly strengthening its capacity to respond to health emergencies.” 

The Angolan proposal is aligned with the principles of “One Health”, gender equity, and inclusion, responding to the gaps identified in the 2025 Joint External Evaluation (JEE). The plan focuses on three priority areas: a) early warning and disease surveillance systems, b) human and animal laboratory capacities, and c) strengthening human resources and communities in both rural and urban contexts. 

In surveillance and early warning, Angola focuses on strengthening community and institutional capacity by training community agents and rapid response teams, implementing digital health information systems, and creating event-based surveillance mechanisms, focusing on human and zoonotic diseases with epidemic potential. 

Regarding the laboratory component, the proposal envisages strengthening diagnostic and surveillance capacities, including training technicians, maintaining antimicrobial resistance surveillance, developing quality control programs, re-equipping regional laboratories, and exchanging experiences with laboratories in neighboring countries. 

Concerning strengthening human resources for public health and community engagement, initiatives are planned to expand training in public health and emergencies, make free courses available on a digital learning platform, mobilize new community agents to improve communication in health risk situations and update the National Human Resources Development Plan, aligning it with emergency response priorities. 

Angola’s proposal for the Pandemic Fund, which will be finalized next week in coordination with the Ministries of Health, Finance, Agriculture, and the Environment, has the technical support of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, Population Services International (PSI), as well as international partners, civil society, and public and private universities in Angola. 

With this proposal, Angola reaffirms its commitment to building a health system that is resilient, inclusive, and prepared to protect all lives, today and in the future.