The health care system in Angola includes public and private services. However, the shortage of doctors, nurses, and primary health care workers, inadequate training, and lack of medicines have restricted the majority of the population’s access to medical care services and medicines. The best quality healthcare services can be found in Luanda and other major cities such as Benguela, Lobito, Lubango and Huambo.
Most of the upper-middle class in Angola use private healthcare services. Luanda has four main private clinics: Girassol (part of the national oil company Sonangol), Sagrada Esperança (part of the national diamond company Endiama), Multiperfil and Luanda Medical Center. Of course, there are many small private clinics, as well as more complex treatments in Namibia, South Africa, Cuba, Spain and Portugal.
Due to government budget challenges and foreign exchange delays, the Angolan market lacks sufficient medicines and medical supplies.
Medicine
According to Presidential Decree No. 180/10 of the National Pharmaceutical Policy, increasing local production of essential medicines is a priority task of the Angolan government. The Angolan Ministry of Health reports that the total annual drug purchases (mainly imports) exceed US$60 million. The main suppliers of imported medicines from Angola are China, India and Portugal. According to the Angolan Pharmaceutical Association, there are more than 221 importers and distributors of medicines and medical devices.
Nova Angomédica, a joint venture between the Angolan Ministry of Health and the private company Suninvest, is limited to local production. Nova Angomédica produces anti-anemia, analgesia, anti-malaria, anti-inflammatory, anti-tuberculosis, anti-allergic, and salt solutions and ointments. Medicines are distributed through pharmacies, public hospitals and private clinics.
In the retail sector, Angola has been establishing a comprehensive and well-stocked pharmacy to provide prescription and non-prescription drugs, first aid supplies, basic outpatient vaccination and diagnostic services. The large pharmacies in Angola include Mecofarma, Moniz Silva, Novassol, Central and Mediang.
Medical equipment
Angola mainly relies on imported medical equipment, supplies and medical consumables to meet local demand. Distribute medical equipment to hospitals, clinics, medical centers and practitioners through a small network of local importers and distributors.
