Mozambique’s Minister of Health, Ussene Isse, confirmed that rehabilitation work on the Vilankulo District Hospital, located in Inhambane province in the southern region of the country, will begin soon. The hospital was previously damaged by successive cyclones. As reported by Lusa, the minister explained that the budget is already secured, with support from the World Bank.
“Several infrastructures were damaged by the cyclones. The government’s program includes the rehabilitation of Vilankulo District Hospital, which serves over 150,000 residents in the region. To implement this project, we are relying on the support of various partners, including the World Bank,” he stated.
According to the minister, this hospital is a key health facility in Inhambane province and was severely affected by natural disasters in recent rainy seasons, particularly cyclones Dineo, Japhat, Filipo, and Guambe.
“The health sector in Mozambique faces numerous challenges, which in the last three years have been further exacerbated by strikes and work stoppages called by doctors and various professionals demanding better working conditions and a review of wage policies,” he added.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, the country has a total of 1,778 health units, including 107 health posts, three specialized hospitals, four central hospitals, seven general hospitals, seven provincial hospitals, 22 rural hospitals, and 47 district hospitals. Last year, the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management (INGD) reported that cyclones and floods had caused at least 829 deaths and affected nearly four million people in Mozambique over the past decade.
“Between 2015 and 2024, we recorded 14 tropical systems (storms and cyclones), with major events including cyclones Dineo, Idai, Kenneth, Guambe, Ana, Gombe, Freddy, and Fillipo. Urban flooding and river basin floods were also recorded in Messalo, Lúrio, Ligonha, Meluli, Licungo, Zambeze, Búzi, Save, Mutamba, Inhanombe, and Umbeluzi,” the agency stated at the time.
To address the challenges faced over the past decade, the government, through INGD and its partners, has developed various tools and projects to mitigate the impacts, including annual contingency plans, early warning systems, and activation of the Disaster Management Fund.
Source: Diário Económico
