Health as a target: South Africa's destabilization of Mozambique

Since 1982 attacks on the health services have been an integral part of South African destabilization of Mozambique. After independence in 1975, Mozambique began successfully to implement a primary health care policy. By attacking primary health care units, kidnapping and killing health workers and destroying transport, a South African supported rebel movement has attempted to undermine this policy. The combined effects of the negative economic consequences of the war, the forced displacement of over a million people and the destruction and disruption of health services have worsened the health of the Mozambican people. Preventive programmes have been severely disrupted. Effects on health include an increase in mortality rates, famine and infectious disease epidemics. Similarities exist between this war and the low intensity conflict in Nicaragua. Given the intensity of the onslaught, the primary health care system has proved remarkably resistant to destruction.