After the war: Prospects for the health of the poor in Luanda,Angola

There is a dearth of published literature on health care systems in Angola. Like many Sub-Saharan African countries. Angola is experiencing rapid urbanization. An analysis of the health status, environmental health conditions and health-related behaviour of the urban poor in Luanda, Angola is provided.Although data are patchy and rarely disaggregated to reveal severe conditions in the shanty towns, a grave picture emerges. An average infant mortality rate of 104 per 1000 with malaria and intestinal infections the main causes of death in under ones reflects the poor environmental conditions which are worsening as urbanization continues at a rapid rate.Use of health services is limited with, for example of% of women giving birth at home, mainly unassisted, and only 28% of children covered by measles immunization (as validated by card).A discussion of existing health strategies, programmes and their constraints is set in the context of the future possibilities of the ending of the 15 year war and the introduction of structural adjustment policies.