The cholera outbreak, which erupted in January, is affecting 17 of Angola’s 21 provinces.
The deployment of the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) from INEM took place following an international appeal made on April 9 by the World Health Organization (WHO), as stated by INEM in a release.
Simultaneously, WHO requested the Portuguese team to establish an EMT Coordination Team (EMTCC) to enhance the response of Angolan authorities in managing this health crisis, under WHO’s guidance and representing Portugal.
The EMT sent by INEM arrived in Angola last Thursday, April 17, and comprises a team of three professionals specializing in EMT coordination, water purification and sanitation, and coordination support. They were joined today by an additional doctor and a nurse.
The Portuguese team has held multiple meetings in the country and is working closely with the Angolan Ministry of Health, the WHO office, the Camões Institute, and other organizations.
“These sessions aim to provide support in assessing needs, setting priorities, and planning specific actions for outbreak control,” the statement elaborates.
The Portuguese team will focus its efforts in Benguela, the currently most critical region, alongside Angola’s Health Minister, Sílvia Lutucuta.
“The mission is expected to last approximately two to three weeks, with the primary goal of enhancing the Angolan government’s response capacity in combating the cholera outbreak,” it concludes.
According to the most recent data released by the Angolan Ministry of Health, the country has reported 500 fatalities and 13,818 cholera cases since the outbreak began in January.
