Cabo Verde

Cape Verde’s National Health Development Plan (PNDS) 2017–2021 aimed to strengthen health governance, improve service delivery, and ensure financial sustainability. The plan focused on addressing shifting demographics, an aging population, and the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases while maintaining control over communicable diseases. It emphasized universal health coverage, digital health transformation, and improved health infrastructure to enhance accessibility and efficiency. Key progress was made in expanding primary healthcare services, vaccination coverage, maternal and child health programs, and emergency medical response. Investments in health information systems, telemedicine, and digital health improved service coordination. However, geographic disparities, human resource shortages, and financial constraints continued to challenge equitable healthcare access. The expansion of family health teams, decentralization of services, and strengthened epidemiological surveillance contributed to better health outcomes, but operational inefficiencies persisted. The PNDS also prioritized pharmaceutical sector development, strategic infrastructure upgrades, and better resource allocation. While improvements in hospital management, laboratory networks, and medical equipment procurement were achieved, challenges in maintenance, funding stability, and integration of health technologies limited full implementation. Governance reforms focused on improving regulatory frameworks, accountability, and intersectoral collaboration, but gaps in execution remained. Despite notable advancements, challenges in financial sustainability, digital health implementation, and equitable resource distribution hindered full success. The plan underscored the need for long-term investment, enhanced public-private partnerships, and policy continuity to build a more resilient and accessible healthcare system.