On Monday, June 23rd, in Maputo, Health Minister Ussene Isse warned of the “alarming” effects of the abrupt decline in international funding for the health sector, highlighting impacts on logistics, medicine supply, and human resources, according to Lusa news agency.
“We are facing a significant and abrupt reduction in international funding, whose impact is already proving to be alarming for the country,” the minister stated during the sector’s biannual meeting, dedicated to defining health policies and strategies.
Particularly noted was the suspension of U.S. international aid, in place since January, which affects several countries, including Mozambique. Ussene Isse called for a unified and operational strategic approach to address the current challenges. He emphasized the urgent need to discuss new forms of domestic financing for the sector. “We need a plan, funding, and a single monitoring strategy,” he said, advocating for a national dialogue to ensure the sustainability of the health system.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Mozambique, Severin R. von Xylander, echoed the minister’s concerns, emphasizing the negative impacts of the drop in international financial support. Among the priorities highlighted by Ussene Isse are strengthening the medicine supply chain, integrated planning at the district level, and improved public financial management. The minister also called for internal reforms within the ministry, focused on patient needs.
“We must do a lot with the few resources available. Anything that does not directly benefit patients will have no place in the Ministry of Health,” he concluded.
Source: DE
