Spain vows to bolster primary health care in southern Mozambique

Inhambane, Mozambique - A new project aimed at improving primary health care and child survival is currently under development in Inhambane, Mozambique, in collaboration with the country's Ministry of Health. The project, while not directly discussed at the ongoing Global Forum of Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival - 2025 in Maputo, is expected to make significant strides this year.

The project's focus on primary health care delivery improvements includes optimizing supply chains for essential health products, including vaccines. This strategy, implemented by VillageReach, aims to overcome challenges related to hard-to-reach communities and improve equity and availability of health products.

Innovation and data-driven approaches are also emphasized in the broader child survival strategies in Mozambique. Programs such as real-time disease reporting apps for health workers and minimally invasive autopsy techniques (CHAMPS) have been implemented to better understand causes of child mortality and improve preventive measures.

The project is part of a national health agenda that has seen a historic reduction in infant mortality worldwide. Between 1990 and 2023, the number of deaths of children under 5 years old decreased from around 12.8 million per year to 4.8 million. However, at least 60 African countries, including Mozambique, are at risk of not achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target for reducing infant mortality, according to estimates by the World Health Organization.

Spain and Mozambique have a long-standing cooperation relationship, and the Manhica Health Research Center in Maputo province has received Spanish support for research activities. However, during the Global Forum of Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival - 2025, no new Spanish support for the project in Inhambane was mentioned.

Anton Leis, the director of AECID, praised the efforts of Mozambique in combating diseases that particularly affect children and women during the forum. He also promised to strengthen relations with the Mozambican government. Despite his involvement in the forum, Leis does not seem to be directly involved in the project being developed in Inhambane.

The forum, organized by the Ministries of Health of Mozambique and Sierra Leone, the Government of Spain, "la Caixa" foundations, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Unicef, discusses scientific solutions to accelerate the fight against infant mortality. While the project in Inhambane is not directly related to the forum, it aligns with the global efforts to reduce infant mortality and improve child survival outcomes.

The nationally representative data from the Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2022-2023 will provide critical insights into child health, nutrition, and primary care coverage. While the DHS data specific to Inhambane is not yet available, such surveys usually inform Ministry of Health programs and partnerships with international agencies to track progress and tailor interventions.

Agricultural and nutritional studies in Inhambane (and neighboring Gaza) highlight food insecurity, which impacts child health indirectly through malnutrition risk factors. While not health projects per se, these contextual factors are relevant to overall child survival rates and primary care intervention needs.

As the project in Inhambane progresses, it is hoped that it will contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to reduce infant mortality and improve child survival outcomes in Mozambique.

What is the focus of the project under development in Inhambane, Mozambique? Optimizing supply chains for essential health products, including vaccines.
Who is implementing the strategy to overcome challenges related to hard-to-reach communities and improve equity and availability of health products? VillageReach.
What data-driven approaches are emphasized in the broader child survival strategies in Mozambique? Programs such as real-time disease reporting apps for health workers and minimally invasive autopsy techniques (CHAMPS).
What has been seen as part of a national health agenda in Mozambique? A historic reduction in infant mortality worldwide.
How many deaths of children under 5 years old decreased between 1990 and 2023? The number decreased from around 12.8 million per year to 4.8 million.
Which countries are at risk of not achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target for reducing infant mortality, according to estimates by the World Health Organization? At least 60 African countries, including Mozambique.
What support has the Manhica Health Research Center in Maputo province received from Spain? Spanish support for research activities.
Was any new Spanish support for the project in Inhambane mentioned during the Global Forum of Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival - 2025? No new Spanish support was mentioned.
Who praised the efforts of Mozambique in combating diseases that particularly affect children and women during the forum? Anton Leis, the director of AECID.
What did Leis promise during the forum? To strengthen relations with the Mozambican government.
Who organized the Global Forum of Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival - 2025? The Ministries of Health of Mozambique and Sierra Leone, the Government of Spain, "la Caixa" foundations, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Unicef.
What does the forum discuss? Scientific solutions to accelerate the fight against infant mortality.
How does the project in Inhambane align with global efforts to reduce infant mortality and improve child survival outcomes? It aligns with the global efforts.
When will the nationally representative data from the Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2022-2023 be available? The DHS data specific to Inhambane is not yet available.
What contextual factors are relevant to overall child survival rates and primary care intervention needs in Inhambane? Agricultural and nutritional studies highlight food insecurity.
What impact does food insecurity have on child health? It impacts child health indirectly through malnutrition risk factors.
What is the hope for the project in Inhambane as it progresses? It is hoped that it will contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to reduce infant mortality and improve child survival outcomes in Mozambique.
What field is closely related to health and wellness, and can significantly impact child health and nutrition? Fitness and exercise.
What is a common medical condition affecting many people globally, and is a leading cause of death and disability? Chronic diseases.
What is a type of cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells starting in one or more areas of the lung? Lung cancer.
What are respiratory conditions that affect the airways and lungs? Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What health issues relate to the eyes? Eye health issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
What health issues relate to the ears? Hearing issues such as hearing loss and tinnitus.
What field encompasses the science of human health and its diseases, as well as the study of health promotion and disease prevention? Medicine and health sciences.
What is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues? Rheumatoid arthritis.
What is a neurological disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
What is an environmental science field concerned with the negative impacts of human activities, such as climate change, on the environment? Environmental and ecological health sciences.
What is a type of business in the retail industry that focuses on consumer goods and services designed to enhance physical attractiveness and personal grooming? Skin care and beauty products industry.