WHO supports Angola in improving the quality of healthcare

More than 140 healthcare managers and professionals from different provinces across the country have enhanced their skills in quality management, patient safety, and service performance monitoring, as part of an initiative by the National Directorate of Hospitals and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), through its Office in Angola in collaboration with the Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), to accelerate Angola’s efforts to improve the quality of healthcare. Carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MINSA), the initiative helped to strengthen national capacities essential for implementing mechanisms for the continuous improvement of quality and patient safety, with a view to the certification process for a range of hospital services and subsequent accreditation – fundamental components for achieving better health outcomes and moving towards Universal Health Coverage. By enhancing the knowledge and skills of the professionals responsible for managing the country’s main tertiary hospitals, the training aims to support the transformation of hospital facilities into safer, more efficient and people-centered environments. Investment in the quality of care can help to reduce preventable risks, improve the patient experience and increase public confidence in health services. At the opening of the meeting, the Secretary of State for Hospitals, Dr Leonardo Europeu Inocêncio, highlighted the importance of hospital management teams’ commitment to quality and patient safety to ensure that the planned improvements translate into concrete quality improvements in the services provided to the public. “The quality of healthcare and patient safety must be priorities in all healthcare facilities. The active involvement of managers, healthcare professionals and technical teams is essential to ensure safer, more effective and more patient-centered services, capable of meeting the public’s needs. ” The minister also emphasized that these efforts align with the priorities of the 2023–2027 National Development Plan, which calls for strengthening quality and hospital accreditation programs, as well as reinforcing specialized health services. The quality of care is now recognized as one of the most important factors in improving health outcomes. Whilst access to services remains essential, evidence shows that only safe, effective and person-centered care can fully deliver the expected benefits for patients and communities. Investing in the quality of care means not only improving the patient experience, but also strengthening the performance, efficiency and resilience of health systems. According to Dr Tomás Valdez, Head of the WHO Health Systems Strengthening Program in Angola, the quality of care now plays a central role in strengthening health systems. “Providing quality care means putting people at the center of health services. It means offering safe, effective and person-centered care, capable of improving the health status of patients and the population, whilst promoting a more efficient use of resources. ” Global data highlight the need to invest in this area. It is estimated that, globally, around 60 percent of deaths associated with health-care-sensitive conditions are linked to poor-quality care, whilst approximately half of all harm associated with health care is considered preventable. The workshop was preceded by technical visits to three tertiary-level hospitals and one municipal hospital, all in Luanda, carried out by experts from the WHO and the National Directorate of Hospitals of the Ministry of Health. The visits provided an opportunity to observe, on the ground, aspects relating to the quality of care and patient safety, to identify good practices, challenges and opportunities for improvement, and to gather evidence to support the setting of priorities for action. Held on 29 and 30 October, the training session was attended by the National Director of Hospitals, Dr Francisca Quifica, and brought together Directors-General, Clinical Directors of tertiary-level hospitals, heads of nursing, laboratory and pharmacy staff, and other healthcare professionals from different provinces across the country. By combining technical assessment, professional development and strategic dialogue, the initiative strengthened the foundations for developing a culture of quality and continuous improvement in health services, contributing to safer, more effective and person-centered care in Angola. As a result of the training sessions, a roadmap was proposed that will subsequently be validated and guide strategic actions. Media contacts Olívio Gambo Oficial de Comunicação Escritório da OMS em Angola gamboo@who. int T: +244 923 61 48 57

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