info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
info.afrindex.com
China-Africa Trade Information Service
Image: CEML
Angola's healthcare system is comprised of public and private services. Per Angolan law, public health services, from primary care to specialized services, are available at no cost. However, the public system suffers from shortages of doctors, medicines, nurses, primary health care workers, as well as inadequate training and a lack of a computerized information management system to efficiently track historical records of patients. As a result, access to healthcare services and to pharmaceuticals for the majority of the population is limited. The best quality health services are found in Luanda and in the other major cities of Benguela, Lobito, Lubango and Huambo.
Most middle and upper middle class Angolans use private healthcare services that generally offer higher quality and fee-based care. Four major private clinics are located in Luanda: Girassol (affiliated with state oil company Sonangol), Sagrada Esperança (affiliated with the state diamond company Endiama), Multiperfil (affiliated with the Presidency), and the Luanda Medical Center. Numerous small private clinics are also available. Professional and upper class Angolans typically travel to Namibia, South Africa, Cuba, Spain and Portugal for more complex medical treatments.
The lack of sufficient pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in the Angolan market due to government budget challenges and foreign exchange delays is significant and is negatively impacting patient health.
Pharmaceuticals
Increasing local manufacturing of basic primary pharmaceuticals is a government priority as articulated in Presidential Decree 180/10 which established the country’s National Pharmaceutical Policy. The Ministry of Health reports that pharmaceutical purchases, primarily imports, total over $60 million per year. Leading suppliers of pharmaceutical imports into Angola are China, India, and Portugal. According to the Angolan Pharmaceutical Society, there are over 221 importers and distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Local production is limited to Nova Angomédica, a joint venture between the Angolan Ministry of Health and private company Suninvest. Nova Angomédica produces anti-anemic, analgesic, antimalarial, anti-inflammatories, anti-tuberculosis, anti-allergic (in pill and syrup forms), as well as saline solution and ointments. Pharmaceuticals are distributed through pharmacies, public hospitals, and private clinics.
In the retail area, Angola has been experiencing an upswing in the establishment of comprehensive, well-stocked pharmacies offering prescription and over-the-counter medicines, personal hygiene, self-improvement health products, smoking cessation, first aid supplies, basic outpatient immunization and diagnosis services. Leading pharmacies in Angola include: Mecofarma, Moniz Silva, Novassol, Central, and Mediang.
Medical Equipment
Angola relies primarily on imported medical equipment, devices, supplies and consumables to meet local demand. Medical solutions and equipment are distributed to hospitals, clinics, medical centers and practitioners through a small network of local importers and distributors. Medical equipment including instruments, diagnostic and imaging are also needed in the market.
