Mozambique Has the Capacity to Perform Surgeries, but Lacks the Will and Decision, Says Health Minister

Mozambique's Minister of Health, Ussene Isse, revealed last Friday (28) in Nampula that the country has all the necessary infrastructure to reduce the long list of patients waiting for surgery in the National Health Service. However, what is lacking, according to Isse, is the will and decision of the professionals responsible for the area.

"When I took over the sector, I realized that the waiting list was huge and we always depended on external support. I sat down with my colleagues and asked what the problem was, and the answer I got was that nothing was lacking, just the will and the decision," said the minister.

Based on this finding, the Ministry of Health took the decision to mobilize teams at all levels of the country so that surgeries could be carried out locally. "We have operating rooms, trained professionals, medicines and anesthesia. We don't lack anything, just the will. We are following this path and, although there are challenges, such as humanized care, we are already working on it," added Isse.

The minister spoke to the press after leading an operation to remove a tumor from the neck of Deolinda Carlos, a 32-year-old patient who had been suffering from the disease since 2019. The patient, a mother of two, had been waiting for surgery for several years. The tumor, which appeared suddenly, created aesthetic and emotional discomfort for Deolinda.

"It started small, but it's been growing. It doesn't hurt, but it weighs me down and interferes with my self-esteem. My biggest expectation is to improve my appearance," said the patient before the operation, expressing faith in the success of the surgery.

The operation, which lasted almost two hours, was part of the government's 100-day campaign, which aimed to perform 500 surgeries. However, the number of procedures already carried out has exceeded a thousand, demonstrating the great motivation of the medical team. "We started with a target of 500 surgeries, but we've already passed the thousand mark. This shows that we are committed. This activity is here to stay," said Isse.

The minister highlighted the complexity of the surgery, which was carried out because the tumor had compressed the trachea and esophagus, making it difficult to breathe and eat. "The surgery was successful, but the post-operative recovery process is crucial, as the affected area is very sensitive," he explained.

Isse also announced plans for a future campaign focused on women and children, with special attention to women with fibroids who have been waiting years for surgery.

In his speech, the minister took the opportunity to congratulate all health workers, and especially Mozambican doctors, on Doctor's Day, recognizing the essential role they play in the well-being of the population.

"I am deeply grateful to all the health professionals who, despite the challenges, are guaranteeing health for Mozambicans every day," Isse concluded.