14 November 2024 – The World Health Organization (WHO) interim Representative in Angola, Dr. Zabulon Yoti, paid an official visit to the Universidade Privada de Angola (UPRA) and was received by Rector Dr. Silvana Rocha da Silveira. The visit provided an opportunity for WHO to gain a deeper understanding of the university’s contributions to community and public health, as well as its extracurricular health initiatives. Dr. Yoti also toured the site of UPRA including its upcoming teaching hospital.
“Mobilizing influential partnerships in line with Health for All and All for Health is important to achieving Universal Health Coverage,” said Dr. Zabulon Yoti, WHO interim Representative in Angola. “Our collaboration with UPRA reflects the value of uniting efforts to strengthen public health education and practice in Angola.”
The visit highlighted the progress of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between WHO and UPRA in August 2023. Over the past year, collaboration has produced significant outcomes in areas such as immunization and mental health. During the visit, WHO presented the joint report on the first year of their partnership, celebrating the achievements and laying the foundation for future joint efforts.
A key moment of the visit was WHO’s interaction with UPRA students who had collaborated with WHO and the Angolan government on Angola’s first-ever Mental Health Arts Competition. The initiative aimed to raise awareness and promote mental health through creative expression. Dr. Yoti recognized the students’ valuable contributions, presenting them with certificates of appreciation.
Rector Dr. Silvana Rocha da Silveira emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with WHO not only enhances our academic and extracurricular offerings but also equips our students and faculty with the tools to impact community health positively.”
Looking ahead, WHO and UPRA discussed plans to strengthen their partnership further by creating a calendar of joint events, producing collaborative publications, and exploring opportunities for WHO experts to serve as guest speakers at UPRA courses.
This collaboration demonstrates WHO’s commitment to advancing public health education and fostering innovation through partnerships with academic institutions in Angola.
