Guinea-Bissau

The "Plano Nacional de Desenvolvimento Sanitário 2023-2028" (PNDS III) of Guinea-Bissau provides a strategic framework aimed at strengthening the national health system and aligning it with international health development goals. The document builds on previous health plans and reflects lessons learned from past implementation challenges. PNDS III was developed through a participatory process involving national and international stakeholders. However, its formal approval was delayed, compromising the execution of key health initiatives. Recognizing this gap, the plan was revised to better reflect Guinea-Bissau's current epidemiological and socio-economic realities. The revised version extends the strategic framework to 2028, with a renewed focus on governance, health infrastructure, and service delivery. Key areas of improvement include strengthening healthcare governance, expanding access to quality essential services, and integrating disease prevention strategies with broader public health objectives. The plan highlights the need for sustainable financing and resource mobilization to ensure continuity in service provision. Efforts to align with regional and international health frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforce its strategic direction. Despite its comprehensive scope, challenges persist in achieving universal health coverage. Weak health infrastructure, financial constraints, and limited human resources remain major barriers. The effective implementation of PNDS III will require sustained political commitment, enhanced intersectoral coordination, and strong monitoring mechanisms to track progress. Overall, PNDS III represents an ambitious yet necessary roadmap for Guinea-Bissau’s health sector. Its success will depend on addressing governance gaps, securing stable funding, and strengthening institutional capacity to implement its objectives effectively​.