Angola's Doctor Shortage: How Many Are Needed?

Angola has a severe shortage of doctors, with only 0.08 physicians per 1,000 people as of 2012. The country's healthcare system has been impacted by decades of war, which left much of its infrastructure in ruins. The lack of doctors is a result of the Lost Generation, where children who were forcefully recruited as soldiers during the Angolan Civil War missed out on their education. In addition, public healthcare services in Angola are very limited, with most locals and expatriates opting for private healthcare instead.

Angola's healthcare system is struggling due to the country's turbulent history

The impact of the war was exacerbated by the fact that nearly an entire generation of Angolans missed out on educational opportunities, leading to a shortage of healthcare workers, administrators, and other essential positions in the governmental system. The loss of this "Lost Generation" disproportionately affected the healthcare system, as those who survived lacked the skills and education needed to pursue careers in medicine and healthcare. This shortage of trained professionals has resulted in a severe lack of healthcare facilities and personnel, with only about 0.08 physicians per 1,000 people in Angola as of 2012.

The country's struggle to rebuild its healthcare system is also due in part to its deeply impoverished population. Despite its vast oil wealth, Angola has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world, at 51 years according to a 2014 CIA estimate, and one of the highest rates of child mortality. The average Angolan can expect to live only until the age of 42, with almost one in five children dying before their fifth birthday. The maternal mortality rate is also extremely high, with an estimated 610 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Malaria is a significant concern in Angola, contributing to about 25% of total maternal mortality. It is the leading cause of death in the country, and its prevalence is influenced by the country's climate and geography. The majority of the population lives in the northern areas, where malaria is more prevalent due to the climate. However, it also appears seasonally in the south, which has a drier climate.

While there have been some improvements in recent years, such as the establishment of the Angolan Institute for Cancer Control and the National Vaccination Campaign against measles, Angola's healthcare system continues to face significant challenges. The system is difficult to access, and both locals and expatriates often opt for private healthcare, which is expensive and often requires upfront cash payments. The public healthcare system remains severely underfunded and understaffed, with limited access to medication and basic services.

The country has a shortage of trained healthcare professionals

Angola has a shortage of trained healthcare professionals. The country's healthcare system comprises public and private service providers, with public hospitals serving almost 60% of the population. However, the quality of care in public hospitals is not perceived to be good, and private clinics are expensive. This means that the best healthcare services are found abroad, and middle-to-upper-income families often travel to other countries for complex medical interventions.

The country has approximately 14,000 physicians, or 0.3 physicians per 1,000 inhabitants, and 39,000 nurses, or 1.1 per 1,000 inhabitants. This is a low ratio of doctors to the population, and it is made worse by the fact that many doctors are concentrated in the capital city, Luanda, leaving other provinces and cities with a lack of modern facilities. In rural areas, citizens must travel significant distances to receive even basic healthcare.

The shortage of doctors is particularly acute in certain regions. For example, the district around Matala has a population of 230,000 but only one doctor. The main clinic in the provincial capital, Lubango, has no Angolan doctors and relies on Cuban doctors assigned to Angola under a contract between the two countries.

The shortage of trained healthcare professionals in Angola is due in part to the country's turbulent history, including decades of war and turmoil. During the Angolan Civil War, many child soldiers were used, and a generation of young people missed out on an education. This "Lost Generation" now lacks the skills and education needed to pursue careers in healthcare and other sectors.

The country's post-war challenges have also contributed to the shortage of trained healthcare professionals. These challenges include neglected healthcare, a damaged transportation system, poor education, and a distorted welfare system. Angola's healthcare system has struggled to adapt to the growth of its population, the evolution of medicine and public health, and the pace of technological innovation.

The Angolan government has taken steps to address the shortage of trained healthcare professionals. It has opened five universities, 45 health worker training schools, and several clinics in recent years. The government is also sending 100 students to Cuba each year to study medicine. However, despite these advancements, Angola still struggles to rebuild its healthcare system, and the effects of the civil war are still visible in society.

The quality of public healthcare in Angola is poor

Angola's public healthcare system is in a poor state. Basic healthcare is, in theory, freely available to all residents, but in reality, it is not easily accessible. The standard in public hospitals and clinics is very low in terms of cleanliness, availability of medication and medical centres, and provision of basic services. Public health services are very limited, and the country has few qualified doctors, hospitals, and clinics. The infrastructure is poor, and the Angolan Ministry of Health faces an uphill battle to improve primary, secondary, and tertiary care.

The quality of public healthcare in Angola is so low that most Angolans, expats, and tourists must pay for private treatment. Private healthcare is expensive and requires upfront payment in cash. For major medical care, such as surgery, many people travel to South Africa or return to their home country to receive treatment. The high infant and maternal mortality rates in Angola are a stark reminder of the inadequate quality of care in the country's hospitals.

The state of public healthcare in Angola is largely a result of its turbulent history, including decades of war and turmoil. From 1961 to 1974, Angolan nationalist parties fought against Portugal in a war for independence, followed by a 27-year-long civil war that ended in 2002. This conflict left the country in ruins, with over 500,000 people killed and a third of its population displaced. The war also destroyed approximately 65% of medical facilities, resulting in drastically limited access to healthcare, especially in rural areas.

The lack of trained healthcare professionals is another critical issue in Angola's public healthcare system. The war disrupted the education system, and an entire generation lost out on receiving an education, including medical training. This "Lost Generation" now relies heavily on international organisations for medical care, as there are not enough trained professionals to staff healthcare facilities adequately.

While Angola has made some improvements to its public healthcare system in recent years, it still faces significant challenges. The government has opened new universities, health worker training schools, and clinics, and is working with international organisations to address issues such as malaria and immunisation. However, the system remains underfunded and understaffed, with outdated medical technology and infrastructure. As a result, even locals often opt for private healthcare when they can, further straining the system.

Angola has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world

Angola has a startlingly low life expectancy of 52 years, which is one of the lowest in the world. In comparison, the life expectancy in the US is 79. This disparity in quality of life is apparent.

The country's low life expectancy can be attributed to its turbulent history, widespread tropical diseases, poor healthcare, and inadequate education. Decades of war and turmoil have left Angola in ruins, with over 500,000 people killed and a third of its population displaced. The country's war-torn infrastructure is ill-equipped to provide quality healthcare to its citizens, with approximately 65% of medical facilities destroyed. This has resulted in drastically limited access to healthcare, especially in rural areas, leading to severe inequities in quality of life, particularly among children.

Angola also struggles with a lack of trained healthcare professionals. The use of child soldiers during the civil war resulted in a "Lost Generation" that lacked the education and skills needed to pursue careers in healthcare. This has contributed to a shortage of doctors and other medical professionals, with only about 3,000 doctors in the country as of 2016. The shortage of healthcare professionals, combined with limited access to healthcare facilities, means that many Angolans rely on international organizations and private companies for medical care.

While Angola has made some progress in recent years, with improvements in child malnutrition and child mortality rates, it still has a long way to go to rebuild its healthcare system and improve the quality of life for its citizens. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is urging the Angolan government to increase its spending on healthcare and expand its immunization and malaria prevention campaigns. With the right investments and initiatives, there is hope for improved access to quality healthcare and a higher life expectancy in Angola in the future.

The country is facing a shortage of doctors

Angola is facing a critical shortage of doctors, a challenge that is exacerbated by the country's turbulent history and the aftermath of decades of war and conflict. The country's struggle to rebuild its healthcare system is a result of both its impoverished population and the lingering impacts of war, which have left Angola in ruins.

The effects of the civil war, which ended in 2002, are still visible in Angola's society and infrastructure. The country lost 70% of its public infrastructure during the decades of conflict, and the road to recovery has been slow. The healthcare system has been particularly affected, with approximately 65% of medical facilities destroyed, limiting access to healthcare, especially in rural areas. The uneven distribution of healthcare coverage has resulted in severe inequities in the quality of life, with rural children being more affected by malnutrition and lack of immunization than their urban counterparts.

The shortage of doctors in Angola is a significant concern. As of 2019, Angola had over 4,100 medical doctors, which equates to 0.14 doctors per 1,000 people. This ratio falls far below the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of 4.5 doctors per 1,000 people. The situation is so dire that a single doctor serves a population of 230,000 in the district around Matala. The lack of medical professionals has led to overcrowded clinics and long wait times for patients, with some individuals waiting hours to be seen by a doctor.

The shortage of doctors in Angola has multiple causes. One factor is the "Lost Generation," referring to the children who were recruited as soldiers during the civil war and missed out on education, including medical training. Additionally, the country has struggled to develop a robust system for training medical professionals and has relied heavily on international organizations and foreign countries like Cuba for medical care and training. While Cuba has provided substantial support by sending 800 doctors and facilitating the training of Angolan physicians, the reliance on foreign aid has hindered the development of a sustainable national health care system.

To address the shortage of doctors, Angola is taking steps to expand health training at universities and private schools. The country is also sending 100 students to Cuba annually to study medicine. However, the effects of these initiatives may take years to materialize, and in the meantime, Angola continues to grapple with a critical shortage of medical professionals, impacting the quality of healthcare available to its citizens.

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