On 7th April 2023, the world celebrated the World Health Day and the 75th anniversary of the World health organization under the theme Health for All. With this theme, the aim is to call for a new drive for health equity, to leave no one behind, a concept in line with the WHO constitution, which states that Health is one of the fundamental rights of human beings, regardless of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.

In São Tomé and Príncipe, two events marked these celebrations, a photo Exhibition highlighting the gains of 75 years of WHO work, and a community outreach in the Bôbô-Forro Market providing free health services to the community. This market, located in Agua Grande District is the main market in the country.

The main event, which was held at ESPAÇO CACAU, brought together WHO staff, members of the Government, diplomats, United Nations System representatives, NGOs, Civil Society, and the country’s various partners that brought to light various memories of health achievements in a photographic exhibition open to the public for one week.  Three ministers including Mr Gareth Guadalupe, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Parliamentary Affairs, representing the Prime Minister; Mr. Alberto Neto Pereira, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities and Mrs. Eurídice Borges Semedo Medeiros, the Minister of youth and sports. The UN Resident coordinator, Ambassador of Portugal, China, Brazil, among others attended the ceremony.

During the celebration, the representative of the World Health Organization in Sao Tome and Principe, Dr. Françoise Bigirimana, said that over the past seven decades some progress had been made in health, but added that much remained to be done to realize the WHO’s founding vision of achieving the highest level of health for all.

Reflecting on the health situation in Sao Tome and Principe, the WHO Representative congratulated the country on the progress made with the introduction of vaccines recommended by WHO. She called for urgent investments to maintain these gains.

“The health system is fragile, the epidemiological situation is dominated by non-communicable diseases, which are responsible for over 60 % of mortality, unfortunately this area is not yet prioritized in resources allocation from the government and donors.

 “… the quality of health care is compromised by persistent electricity and water shortages and inadequate infrastructure and stock-out of medicines and essential medical supplies.”

“Human resources and funding for health are insufficient, which limits progress towards universal Health coverage.”

The WHO representative reaffirmed WHO commitment to support the country through a new country cooperation strategy for the period 2023-aligned to the National Health Sector Strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework.

On behalf of the Prime Minister and the government, Mr Gareth Guadalupe, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Parliamentary Affairs, noted Sao Tome’s contributions towards improving the quality of life of the world’s population over the past seven decades.

“Sao Tome and Principe also contributed to these gains as in the elimination of poliomyelitis, the reduction of morbidity and mortality from malaria, and the incidence of HIV, the coverage of prenatal services and vaccination that contributed to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality.”

The Minister further invited everyone to reflect on the actions needed to address future health challenges so that the country can move steadily towards Health for All. He noted the challenges the country is still facing among them related to financial protection with the highest percentage of households with catastrophic health expenditure in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

He highlighted that the country has chosen Universal Health Coverage as the new paradigm in the National Health Policy focusing on the strengthening of Primary Health Care as a key strategy for dealing with the non-communicable diseases and social protection for the most vulnerable population.

“It is from this perspective that we have the vision to make Sao Tome and Principe a healthy nation, with a quality health system, integrated into an enabling environment to provide effective, efficient, affordable, accessible, resilient and sustainable health care”. He said.

The photo exhibition looked back at some of the public health successes and key events that have improved quality of life worldwide and in Sao Tome and Principe during the past seven decades and highlighted future health challenges.

Also, as part of the celebration of the World Health Day, the district of Água-Grande with support from the WHO organized a Health Fair at the country’s main market in Bôbô-Forro. Hundreds of people came to be tested for HIV, Viral Hepatitis (560), Malaria (509), diabetes, COVID-19, blood pressure as well as Vaccination and free obstetric gynecology services and other medical services. Some outcomes include positive cases: Malaria (2/509 tests), COVID 19 (1/8), 3 cases with Hyperglycemia and many referral cases to clinics for gyneco-obstetric or other conditions.

The WHO Representative, Dr. Françoise Bigirimana visited the health fair and was received by Dr Adionilde Santos, the delegate of the health district of Agua Grande .

WHO in Sao Tome and Principe has planned to celebrate the WHO’s 75th Anniversary in all districts for the coming weeks starting with walk the talk on 21st April in collaboration with, the Government and Civil Society and community outreach health services in all districts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Sao Tome and Principe.