Africa-Press – Angola. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) is to fund approximately USD 60 million in Angola, in partnership with the government, to strengthen routine vaccination and expand immunization campaigns, including the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
The announcement was made, in Luanda, by GAVI Executive Director, Sania Nishtar, following a meeting with the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, at the Presidential Palace, during which they discussed ongoing vaccination programs and new strategic projects in the country.
Speaking to the press at the end of the meeting, she stated that the investment will cover the cost sharing for the acquisition, maintenance, and administration of vaccines, as well as resources and equipment to support the execution of the campaigns.
HPV is a group of viruses that can infect human skin and mucous membranes, with some types associated with the development of cervical cancer, as well as other types of genital, anal, oropharyngeal cancer and genital warts.
Among the priorities of the partnership are the mass vaccination against HPV, considered the first effective vaccine against cancer and the reinforcement of routine vaccination to prevent childhood diseases such as cholera, measles and polio.
According to the official, who is a Pakistani physician and cardiologist, her visit to Angola has a dual purpose, one being to thank the Angolan Head of State for his commitment to immunization, and the other related to the beginning of a new chapter of cooperation between GAVI and the Angolan Ministry of Health.
Sania Nishtar said that President João Lourenço is a global and regional champion for immunization and added that with this visit she will begin official talks to open a new chapter of partnership with Angola.
She informed that the HPV vaccination campaign is one of the most modern and practical in the world, stating that they want to ensure that it reaches the largest possible scale and, at the same time, support the strengthening of routine vaccination, which is essential to prevent disease outbreaks.
The GAVI executive director also highlighted the role of the Angolan government in combating recent cholera and polio outbreaks and for its ongoing work to improve the national immunization system.
The official, who is also a senator, said that she hopes to maintain an ongoing dialogue with the Angolan government to structure the cooperation framework of this partnership, ensuring the protection of the health of children and teenagers, as well as the prevention of public health disasters.
She reinforced that the new cooperation model will allow for the optimization of resources and ensure greater effectiveness of campaigns, aligning with the new national immunization strategy recently adopted by the Angolan government.
About GAVI
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) is an international partnership created to increase access to vaccines in low- and middle-income countries, with a special focus on Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
According to the organization, its main objective is to ensure that children in developing countries receive essential vaccines, preventing diseases that can cause death or serious consequences, such as measles, polio, hepatitis B, rotavirus, and HPV.
Its work is carried out through strategic partnerships with governments, pharmaceutical companies, international organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), as well as private donors. The alliance provides financial, logistical, and technical support to strengthen national vaccination programs.
Since its creation in 2000, the organization has contributed to vaccinating hundreds of millions of children, directly impacting the reduction of infant mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Regarding investment, GAVI finances the acquisition of vaccines, the training of health professionals, large-scale immunization campaigns, and the strengthening of health systems in partner countries.
It operates as a global alliance that saves lives, combining the efforts of governments, international organizations and the private sector to expand immunization and protect children in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
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