On World Health Day 2026, the World Health Organization emphasized the critical role of science in protecting health, saving lives, and building resilient societies, under the theme “Together for Health. Support Science.” This message is particularly relevant for Angola, where evidence-based policies have delivered tangible health improvements despite challenges such as outbreaks of cholera, polio, and measles, as well as the demands of an evolving health system.
Significant progress is evident across the country. Maternal and child mortality rates have declined, essential health services have been strengthened, and vaccination campaigns are reaching more children than ever. Epidemiological surveillance has become more robust, laboratories are modernizing, and public health emergency responses are faster and better coordinated. These achievements reflect the combined efforts of national authorities, health professionals, communities, and partners, including the private sector.
Recent milestones highlight Angola’s commitment to science-driven transformation. The establishment of the National Public Health Emergency Operations Center and regional centers has improved coordination during health crises. Strengthening regulation of medicines and health technologies is moving the country toward regulatory maturity level 3 by 2027. Additionally, the approval of the National Immunization Strategy 2026–2030 reinforces efforts to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Despite these advances, major health challenges remain. Malaria continues to be a leading cause of illness and death, while tuberculosis requires earlier diagnosis, effective treatment, and integration into primary care. Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions are rising due to lifestyle changes and an aging population. Misinformation also poses a growing threat, undermining trust in vaccines, treatments, and public health measures.
This context makes the 2026 theme particularly significant. Science achieves its full potential only when evidence informs policy, data guides decisions, and communities trust and benefit from knowledge. Angola is embracing an integrated approach through One Health, recognizing the links between human, animal, and environmental health to prevent future outbreaks and address emerging threats like antimicrobial resistance.
Angola now has an opportunity to scale up health system modernization through investments in human resources, infrastructure, digital systems, and innovation. WHO continues to support these efforts by strengthening primary healthcare, expanding immunization, improving laboratory systems and epidemiological surveillance, promoting digitalization, investing in professional training, and enhancing emergency response capacity. These measures are crucial for advancing universal health coverage.
World Health Day serves as a call to collective responsibility, reminding policymakers, health professionals, communities, and other sectors such as education, water, and sanitation, that defending and applying science saves lives. Angola’s progress demonstrates that evidence-based decisions, strong leadership, and community engagement can produce tangible health outcomes, reinforcing the importance of science, solidarity, and health for all.
