Moxico: Public Health in Moxico is, from today, training staff in epidemiological surveillance to mitigate and control the impact of neglected diseases, namely malaria, chikungunya, and dengue. The event brings together medical professionals, veterinarians, Indologists, biologists, and geologists in the conference room of the Moxico General Hospital, aiming to ensure that health is seen as an inclusive and participatory specialty.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the trainees are specialists who already work in malaria control, so that, using existing vectors, they can create mechanisms to recognize transmitters of other diseases that can also impact human health. Dr. Geminar Genio, a member of the Osvaldo Fio Crus Foundation and co-organizer of the event, stated that the main objective of the training is to develop control strategies to mitigate the impact of these diseases in Angola.
Dr. Genio highlighted the significant impact of diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya on public health. Therefore, he underscored the importance of community participation in controlling and reporting potential vector carriers. He noted that without public support, the work of professionals becomes very difficult. Epidemiological surveillance is defined as a set of actions that promote the detection and prevention of communicable diseases and conditions, and their risk factors.
The primary objective of this initiative is to provide ongoing technical guidance to health professionals. A key goal is to update Angola's entomological map, a project that began in April of this year. The workshop was first held in 2008 and this is the second time it takes place in Angola, with the first training session held in Lunda Sul and the second phase in Moxico, Moxico Leste, Lunda Sul, and Lunda Norte. The training lasts five days, focusing on vectors such as mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and bed bugs.
