Praia, Cabo Verde — The draft National Health Policy (NHP) 2025–2035 was highlighted during a dedicated workshop at the First National Health Conference, marking a key milestone in shaping the future of the country’s health system. With the participation of more than 100 attendees, the special session, conducted with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and financial support from Portuguese Cooperation, provided a participatory platform for strategic reflection, bringing together policymakers, health professionals, development partners and civil society representatives to validate key orientations and gather inputs for the final version of the document.

The discussions enabled a critical review of the results of the 2007–2020 National Health Policy, identifying persistent challenges and integrating lessons learned to ensure that the new policy effectively responds to the demographic, epidemiological and environmental transitions facing Cabo Verde.

The forthcoming NHP 2025–2035 is positioned as the main strategic framework for the health sector, setting a vision centred on Universal Health Coverage, quality of care and system resilience. Structured around five strategic axes, fifteen strategic directions and a broad set of priorities, it aims to strengthen governance and regulation of the health sector, promote integrated, equitable and people-centred care, enhance resilience to public health emergencies, ensure sustainable resources and drive digital transformation and innovation in health.

Throughout the session, WHO’s role in providing technical guidance was widely acknowledged, ensuring alignment of the policy with international norms and best practices, as well as integrated approaches such as “Health in All Policies”. WHO’s contribution has been instrumental in strengthening the strategic coherence of the document and advancing a vision of a more preventive, inclusive and sustainable health system.

The workshop also underscored the importance of a participatory and inclusive process, ensuring engagement across sectors and levels of the health system. Contributions gathered will be incorporated into the final version of the policy, which will subsequently be submitted for public consultation as a mechanism to enhance transparency, strengthen participation and mobilize stakeholders for implementation.

The new National Health Policy reinforces the commitment to the right to health across the life course, guiding the country towards a more equitable, resilient and people-centred health system.

Through this process, Cabo Verde is taking a decisive step towards consolidating a long-term strategic vision for the health sector, with continued support from WHO in advancing evidence-based and results-oriented policies.