Latest news with #IndrajitHazarika
Zawya
17-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
World Health Organization (WHO) Strengthens Field Presence and Support to Cholera Response During High Level Visit to Kwanza Sul and Benguela
As part of ongoing efforts to support Angola's fight against the cholera outbreak and to reinforce regional health systems, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Angola, Dr Indrajit Hazarika, conducted a field mission to the provinces of Kwanza Sul and Benguela this week. The visit served to strengthen collaboration with local authorities, highlight WHO's decentralized support across the country, and follow the high-level visit of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed. The field mission began in Kwanza Sul, where Dr Indrajit met with the Provincial Governor and the Provincial Director of Health. During the meeting, WHO expressed its appreciation for the province's leadership in cholera response and for the continuous support to the WHO office in Sumbe. Discussions also focused on broader areas of collaboration, including expanding health coverage, and improving emergency preparedness. The delegation then proceeded to Benguela, where it joined a high-level visit led by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, the Minister of Health of Angola, and the UN Resident Coordinator to assess the province's progress in responding to the cholera outbreak. The visit included a tour of the Cholera Treatment Center at the Municipal Hospital of Benguela and a stop at the mobile health clinic at the Lobito train station, which is extending care to vulnerable populations along the Lobito Corridor. Benguela has been one of the most affected provinces since the cholera outbreak began, at one point reporting over 100 cases per day. Thanks to strong leadership by the provincial government, a multisectoral approach, and support from WHO, UNICEF, and other partners, the situation has markedly improved. As of this week, the province reported fewer than 50 cases per day and some days registering zero deaths. The WHO Representative commended the efforts of provincial authorities, health workers, and frontline responders for this remarkable turnaround. 'This progress is a direct result of local leadership, strong coordination, and collective action,' said the WHO Representative during the visit. 'WHO is proud to stand with the Government of Angola—not just at the national level, but with teams embedded in provinces like Benguela and Kwanza Sul—working every day to respond to emergencies and strengthen the health system.' WHO's support to Angola includes the deployment of emergency response teams, technical guidance for case management and surveillance, coordination support, and the delivery of critical medical supplies. WHO has also facilitated the deployment of Emergency Medical Teams from Portugal and Germany to reinforce the response in Benguela. The visit highlighted the importance of a whole-of-society response to cholera, one that not only treats the disease but addresses its root causes: lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and health services. The WHO Representative reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting Angola's long-term goals of disease prevention, health system resilience, and universal health coverage. 'Cholera thrives where development is lacking. We must not only stop this outbreak—we must prevent the next one. That means investing in primary health care, water and sanitation, and strong surveillance systems,' the WHO Representative emphasized. As the response continues, WHO remains a key partner to the Government of Angola and will continue to work hand-in-hand with national and provincial stakeholders to protect lives and build a healthier future for all Angolans. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Forbes
23-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The WHO Is Fighting A Multi-Country Outbreak Of Cholera
Cholera is making a comeback. A new outbreak in Angola, West Africa started on January 7, 2025, and is likely to get worse as it spreads to more rural regions. Thus far this year, there have been approximately 13,255 cases and 488 deaths, according to Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, a physician and public-health practitioner who is the World Health Organization's Country Representative for Angola. In aggregate, he notes that the death rate has been approximately 3.7%, which far exceeds WHO's goal of less than 1%. Angola is one country among many dealing with cholera. In 2024, there were almost 810,000 cases and 5,900 deaths worldwide reported to the WHO, which are approximately 50% higher than in 2023. Through March 30 this year, 25 countries have reported 116,574 cases and 1,514 deaths, with African countries recording the highest numbers. According to the WHO, 'Conflict, mass displacement, disasters from natural hazards, and climate change have intensified outbreaks, particularly in rural and flood-affected areas, where poor infrastructure and limited healthcare access delay treatment.' Cholera is a scourge of antiquity believed to have impacted human populations dating back thousands of years, killing millions and impacting human history. Caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae and leading to rapidly fatal diarrhea, cholera is notable for causing explosive epidemics and pandemics. We are in the midst of the seventh historical pandemic of cholera, which began in 1961, with populations in the poorest regions of the world the hardest hit. Cholera is spread by the fecal-oral route, meaning that an individual who is infected passes the bacteria into the environment in their feces. Populations without access to clean water and sanitation may consume contaminated water or food and are therefore susceptible to outbreaks. I asked Dr. Hazarika what factors facilitated the outbreak of cholera in Angola, which he said comes down to 'the limited access to clean water and sanitation for the population at large.' He added that only two-thirds of the population in Angola has access to clean water and three-quarters have access to adequate sanitation. The individuals with clean water access drop 'substantially' in the rural areas, making the population vulnerable to cholera and other diarrheal disease outbreaks. Cholera causes acute, high-volume, watery diarrhea (up to 10-20 liters a day) and vomiting; therefore, victims have difficulty keeping up with the fluid loss and can die in a matter of hours without appropriate treatment. As diarrhea progresses, it may become clear with white mucus, giving it the classic appearance of 'rice water' with a fishy odor. As victims become dehydrated, they may become lethargic, develop sunken-appearing eyes and their skin becomes lax and 'tents.' The pulse becomes weak and ironically, as victims become severely dehydrated, the stool volume may decrease as they go into shock. Cholera can be diagnosed by using a rapid test kit on stool or culturing stool in the lab. Once the outbreak was determined by testing, though, Dr. Hazarika said that WHO uses a more efficient clinical definition for suspected and confirmed cases to determine who is likely infected. 'In an outbreak of this scale and magnitude,' he said, 'any case that presents as a case of acute watery diarrhea is being treated as a case of cholera.' Unlike many other infectious diseases, antibiotics play a minor role in treating cholera, although they can reduce the volume of diarrhea and decrease spread. I asked Dr. Hazarika what measures are taken to treat the victims in Angola. He responded that providing adequate fluids is the mainstay of therapy, and 'it has been dependent on the severity of the cases.' In the most severe cases, patients are given intravenous fluids with supplemental antibiotics. Those with mild to moderate disease can be given oral rehydration solutions. Children are given supplemental zinc tablets. Dr. Hazarika said that the WHO's goal is to save lives as it provides support to the government and the Ministry of Health through coordinating a multisectoral and multiprong response, providing disease surveillance, data systems and rapid response. Partners have included UNICEF, the Africa CDC and the US CDC, which participate as part of the national incident management teams and response. UNICEF has been particularly instrumental shoring up 'WASH,' which focuses on water quality testing, sanitation, hygiene and mapping points of access to safe water sources. The WHO also helps with daily situation reports, case management, setting up cholera treatment centers, risk communication, training healthcare workers and rapid response teams and direct community engagement on preventive measures, as well as providing access to oral rehydration. Dr. Hazarika doesn't do this work from an ivory tower. He and his team members provide support on the ground and are working tirelessly in the community searching for cases. Epidemiologists call such work 'shoe leather epidemiology,' which means that the workers on the ground are wearing the soles of their shoes thin from all the walking it requires. In fact, the symbol of an epidemiologist is a shoe with a hole in the sole. The fundamental way to prevent cholera is to provide access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. Vaccines have also been used in outbreak responses, but the supplies are limited, and many countries don't have access to them. The WHO has facilitated use of vaccines in Angola's outbreak response, though. According to Hazarika, 925,000 individuals were vaccinated initially in February and March in the first three provinces where the outbreak started. As the disease has spread to 17 of the 21 provinces, another 700,000 doses were procured in March and are being administered based on surveillance data 'in hot spot areas in the effort to contain the spread of the outbreak,' Hazarika said. I asked Dr. Hazarika whether he had noted any change with the pullback of US support for international health. He responded that 'The absence is palpable in this response.' In the past, both the CDC and WHO benefited from technical cooperation. It has been more difficult to garner support, cooperation has been affected, and a more challenging fiscal environment with the decrease in US funding has impacted not only the WHO, but other agencies previously funded by the US that would play a role in response. The other concern we discussed was the global health security aspect. 'What's happening in Angola is probably what we're seeing in several parts of the continent, especially in terms of cholera outbreaks,' Hazarika said, and heightens the risk for similar outbreaks elsewhere. It is always preferable to contain an outbreak at the source. The outbreak in Angola illustrates this challenge as a 'Wake up call' for the government, which highlighted major infrastructure gaps in water and sanitation and the need for investments in these aspects for the country. It started in the capital city of Luanda but has since spread to 17 provinces. There is also risk of cross-border spread to other countries, such as the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. 'An outbreak somewhere can be an outbreak anywhere unless there are measures that are being taken to contain it,' said Hazarika, 'so there is an imminent threat of the outbreak spreading.' As we concluded the interview, Dr. Hazarika mentioned that he was heading out on a 5:00 am flight the next day to a province with the highest number of reported cases. He is thus following the time-honored tradition of an international health responder heading towards a 'fire,' rather than away from it. As he noted, 'The situation is that you probably don't have enough fire extinguishers with you, but you still have to run into the fire.'
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures
Today, Angola joins the global community in celebrating World Health Day, which is dedicated to maternal and child health under the 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.' This day commemorates the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, and it´s an occasion to call for communities, organizations, and governments to work together to advocate for actions that can improve people's health and well-being worldwide. This year, World Health Day, observed under the theme 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,' is a solemn reminder of our collective responsibility to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and prioritize women's and children's long-term health and well-being. Despite significant advances, maternal and newborn deaths remain a critical problem. Worldwide, around 300,000 women die every year from pregnancy-related causes, and more than 2 million babies die in their first month of life. In the WHO African Region, 20 mothers and 120 newborns die every hour, totaling 178,000 maternal deaths and 1 million newborn deaths per year. These statistics represent real lives lost, families torn apart, and futures disrupted. The WHO calls for intensified efforts by governments, the private health sector, civil society, and development partners to ensure access to quality and equitable health care, especially in low-income countries and vulnerable contexts. Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, WHO representative in Angola, stresses that: 'World Health Day is an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable progress the world has made in health and to advocate for urgent actions to address the deep challenges that persist. This year, we focus on maternal and child health as every seven seconds, somewhere in the world, a preventable death of a woman or child occurs. These are not just numbers; they represent real lives lost, families shattered, and futures cut short.' Angola has made significant progress in maternal and child health, reducing neonatal mortality from 24 to 16 deaths per 1,000 live births, infant mortality from 44 to 32 deaths per 1,000 live births, and under-five mortality from 68 to 52 deaths per 1,000 live births. However, challenges remain, particularly with regard to coverage of prenatal care and skilled birth attendance. To significantly improve maternal and child health and protect mothers and their babies, the WHO encourages the government and partners to invest in high-impact maternal and newborn health services, expand equitable access to quality care, adopt laws that protect health rights, address social and economic inequalities and strengthen accountability and innovation. The recently developed Integrated Strategic Plan for Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, Adolescent, and Nutritional Health (SRMNIA-N) serves as an essential tool to guide universal coverage of high-impact, quality interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality and improve the population's nutritional status. The Plan is aligned with the Luanda Declaration issued in June 2022. It provides the political direction to implement the 'national commitment to the health of children, women and the fight against major endemic diseases.' Dr. Hazarika adds: 'Investing in maternal and newborn health yields substantial economic returns, as well as saving lives, with estimates suggesting that every dollar invested can generate a return of $7. Besides the economic benefits, every saved life contributes to the continuation of families, communities, and stronger societies. Let's work together, with the government, families, private sector, universities, and all partners, to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and to prioritize women's longer-term health and well-being in Angola.' The WHO renews its commitment to supporting Angola in improving maternal and child health, ensuring that every healthy start in life leads to a promising future for children, families, and communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
Zawya
02-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
New World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Angola Presents Diplomatic Credentials
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the presentation of diplomatic credentials by Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, the newly appointed WHO Representative in Angola. Dr. Hazarika brings a wealth of experience in global health, strategic planning, and health system transformation, having previously held various positions at WHO and other international health organizations. In a formal ceremony held in the country's capital, Luanda, Dr. Hazarika presented his credentials to Ambassador Esmeralda Mendonça, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. This marks the beginning of Dr. Hazarika's mandate in Angola, where he will lead WHO's efforts to support and improve the country's health sector. Dr. Hazarika's appointment comes at a crucial time, as WHO continues to work closely with the Angolan government to address key health challenges, including the current cholera outbreak. In line with WHO's 14th General Programme of Work, the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2023-2027 outlines five strategic priorities that will guide the efforts to support and improve the health of Angolan: strengthening health systems, integrated health services, disease prevention and control, health security and disaster preparedness and multisectoral approaches to create healthier populations. As part of its mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable, WHO has been working hand in hand with the Ministry of Health on crucial actions to improve the health system in Angola and achieve the sustainable development goals. In 2024, the organization achieved significant results, including the successful implementation of programs to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of malaria and tuberculosis, expansion of services for neglected tropical diseases, development of an NCD control strategy, revitalization of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) initiative, improved control of maternal and perinatal deaths, and national polio vaccination campaigns. Dr. Hazarika expressed his commitment to further strengthening the ongoing work in collaboration with the Angolan government, UN agencies, development partners, academia, civil society, health professionals, and local communities to achieve health and health-related SDGs. 'I am truly honored to take on this role and am deeply committed to advancing health in Angola. Together, we will strive to build a resilient health system that can effectively meet the population's needs, ensuring a healthier and brighter future for all,' said Dr. Hazarika. Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, an Indian national, is a medical doctor by training and has a doctorate in health economics from the University of Melbourne since 2015 and a master's degree in public health from Havard University. Among the various senior positions he has held in health organizations worldwide, he was senior public health policy officer for WHO globally and WHO acting representative in Mauritius. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
