The Mozambican government has announced that it will soon begin the long-awaited rehabilitation of Vilankulo District Hospital in Inhambane Province, after the hospital suffered serious damage from repeated cyclones in recent years. This was confirmed by Minister of Health, Ussene Isse, who said the funds for the project have already been secured, with major support coming from the World Bank.
Speaking during a media briefing, Minister Isse explained that the hospital, which serves over 150,000 residents, is one of the most important health centres in southern Mozambique. It was badly affected during recent rainy seasons by natural disasters such as Cyclones Dineo, Japhat, Filipo, and Guambe, which caused widespread destruction in several provinces.
“Several infrastructures were damaged by the cyclones. The government’s program includes the rehabilitation of Vilankulo District Hospital. We are relying on the support of various partners, including the World Bank,” said Minister Isse.
He also acknowledged the larger problems facing Mozambique’s healthcare system, including years of strikes and protests by doctors and healthcare workers. These professionals have been calling for improved working conditions and better salaries.
“Our sector has been under pressure. Besides the damage from natural disasters, we’ve faced regular strikes in the last three years by staff who are pushing for wage reviews and improved work conditions,” he noted.
The government, through the Ministry of Health, has been trying to improve the situation by working with international partners and investing in health infrastructure. Data from the ministry shows that Mozambique has 1,778 health facilities, including 107 health posts, 3 specialized hospitals, 4 central hospitals, 7 general hospitals, 7 provincial hospitals, 22 rural hospitals, and 47 district hospitals across the country.
The destruction caused by cyclones and flooding has added more pressure to the health sector. According to the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management (INGD), at least 829 people died and nearly four million citizens were affected by natural disasters over the last decade.
Between 2015 and 2024, Mozambique was hit by 14 tropical systems including Cyclones Idai, Kenneth, Ana, Gombe, and Freddy, alongside the ones that directly affected Vilankulo. These storms caused large-scale urban and rural flooding in river basins like Messalo, Lúrio, Ligonha, Meluli, Licungo, Zambeze, Búzi, Save, Mutamba, Inhanombe, and Umbeluzi.
In response to the frequent weather disasters, the Mozambican government has been working with INGD and other development partners to implement disaster response tools and resilience strategies. These include setting up early warning systems, yearly contingency plans, and activating the Disaster Management Fund to provide emergency relief and support rebuilding efforts.
Rebuilding Vilankulo Hospital is part of this broader government strategy to strengthen healthcare delivery in disaster-prone areas and ensure that citizens still have access to medical care even after emergencies. The government sees it as a key investment in both health and climate resilience.
Many residents of Vilankulo and nearby districts have welcomed the news, expressing hope that the hospital will soon resume full services, especially emergency care, maternity services, and outpatient treatment. For years, patients have been forced to travel long distances to access medical care after the hospital was partially shut down due to storm damage.
The Minister of Health assured that the rehabilitation project will not only restore the facility but also upgrade it with modern equipment and infrastructure to withstand future storms.
Mozambique remains one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in Africa, and health facilities like the Vilankulo Hospital are essential for protecting public health during emergencies. With the rainy season approaching again, many citizens are hoping the hospital will be up and running in time to help deal with any new challenges.
