Luanda — The regional director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Africa, the Angolan Physician Luis Gomes Sambo, on Saturday in Luanda, on an interview to ANGOP, recognised that Angola is living a special moment and that the country now shows development signs at all levels.

However, he said, a lot has still to be done in terms of health, such as increase the debates for the achievement of the maximum results with the available resources.

The current moment, said the WHO official, demands that the country should have a national health policy, updated indicators, reinforced capacity for the integration and training of staff, as well as the reinforcement of the municipal structures of the Public Health National Institute, so that Angola can become a reference in Africa.

Gomes Sambo also reminded the situation in Africa, and particularly in Angola, concerning the high mortality rate, despite the decreasing trend in the last five years.

"In Africa it is recorded 48 obituaries per one thousand births, caused by asphyxia during labour and also due to premature birth", he explained.

The situation in Africa is very worrying, he stressed, because over 3000 babies die every year, within the first seven days of life. Angola is on the list of those countries without progresses in the reduction of mortality.

He also called on health professionals to pay greater attention to infectious diseases, such as HIV/Aids and malaria, since a patient with these two illnesses has a higher viral charge.

The WHO regional director also laid out several priorities and measures that should be taken by governments for the improvement of the situation in the continent, such as the reinforcement of the policies and broadening partnerships in the health sector.