Angola Strengthens Its Response to Malaria and Focuses on Vaccination to Save Lives

Even before dawn, Maria left her home in the municipality of Cazenga with her feverish son on her back. The child was promptly treated by health professionals at the Kalawenda Health Center, where the diagnosis confirmed severe malaria. He survived because he received treatment in time. Unfortunately, for many other families, the outcome is different.

Maria's story reflects the reality of thousands of families in Angola, where malaria remains the leading cause of death and one of the greatest threats to public health, affecting primarily children under five and pregnant women. In 2025, more than 11 million cases and approximately 11,000 deaths were recorded, keeping the country among the most affected globally.

Despite this situation, malaria is preventable, diagnosable, and treatable. Angola now has effective tools at its disposal, including insecticide-treated bed nets, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. The introduction of the malaria vaccine, scheduled for later this year, represents an additional strategic step toward strengthening child protection and reducing mortality.

During the World Malaria Day celebrations and the official opening of African Immunization Week, held in Cazenga on April 25, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta, emphasized that combating malaria and strengthening vaccination are essential pillars for saving lives and building more resilient, inclusive, and equitable health systems. The minister also emphasized that the introduction of the malaria vaccine will complement existing strategies, with a special focus on protecting children under one year of age. She further highlighted the role of local authorities, health professionals, and national and international partners in strengthening the response to malaria and expanding vaccination.

As part of the event, a symbolic ceremony was held, which included vaccinations, free medical consultations, and rapid malaria diagnostic tests, bringing essential health services directly to the community and reinforcing the message of prevention and timely access to care.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Angola, Amanda Mukwashi, emphasized that the main challenge no longer lies in the lack of solutions, but in the ability to ensure that these reach everyone. "Now we can, because we have the tools and the knowledge. Now we must, because every life lost to a preventable disease is unacceptable," she stated.

At the same time, African Immunization Week underscores the importance of ensuring equitable access to vaccines. Angola currently has 14 vaccines that protect against 16 diseases, but challenges remain, including more than 500,000 children who have not yet received even a single dose. The campaign, implemented between April and June, aims to strengthen routine vaccination, reach unvaccinated children, and complete overdue schedules, including vaccination against cervical cancer for nine-year-old girls

Vaccination remains one of the most effective public health interventions, having already saved millions of lives in the African Region. However, progress remains uneven, requiring greater investment, stronger health systems, and coordinated action to leave no one behind.

Maria's story is a clear reminder that prevention cannot come too late. Ending malaria and protecting all children through vaccination requires strong leadership, sustainable funding, and the active involvement of the whole of society.

The event brought together government officials, international partners, health professionals, and communities in a joint effort to accelerate the response and ensure that no life is lost to preventable diseases.