Guinea-Bissau is a small country in western Africa, bordered by Senegal, Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Bissau and the official language is Portuguese though Crioulo and African languages are commonly spoken. Guinea-Bissau gained independence from Portugal in 1974. A civil war in 1998-99 destroyed much of the infrastructure.

The country has a population of approximately 1.5 million inhabitants, of whom more than 50% are under 18 years of age. The people have an average life expectancy of about 45 years. Under-five mortality rates are high.

Health problems are caused by HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, cholera, typhoid fever, yellow fever, meningitis, etc. A paediatric treatment effort against AIDS has recently been launched.

In Guinea-Bissau there are about 188 doctors (12 per 100,000 population) and also 1037 nurses (67 per 100,000) and 35 midwives (2 per 100,000) according to figures for 2004. Medical facilities are extremely limited. The country's main hospital is the Simao Mendes National Hospital in Bissau, with 416 beds.



Authorities

Ministry of Public Health: Ministério da Saúde Publica (MINSAP)