Within the framework of conducting the Second Demographic and Health Survey (EDSGE-II), two (2) experts from the UTICA International agency carried out the first mission in Equatorial Guinea, which took place from May 18 to 29, 2026, with the objective of conducting a diagnostic assessment of the health infrastructure and human resources available in the country for the execution of EDSGE-II. At the conclusion of their mission, a meeting was held this Friday, May 29, at the headquarters of the National Institute of Statistics of Equatorial Guinea (INEGE), to inform the Equatoguinean party and development partners about the progress of their mission and its conclusions.
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of INEGE, Mr. Ricardo Nsue NDEMESOGO OBONO, and served as an occasion for the UTICA International experts to present to the attendees the work carried out during their mission, in collaboration with the INEGE team, and to address the following specific objectives of their mission:
- Update the budget and execution timeline of EDSGE-II;
- Analyze the health infrastructure and existing laboratories in the country, to select the laboratory where health tests will be conducted during the Survey;
- Consolidate the list of tests and analyses to be carried out during the Survey;
- Complete the list of materials necessary for the implementation of the Survey; and
- Analyze the material and human resource needs for the Survey.
The meeting took place in a participatory and constructive atmosphere, during which development partners reiterated their commitment to continue supporting activities related to the execution of EDSGE-II.
In his remarks, the Director General of INEGE reiterated to the attendees the will and commitment of the Government of Equatorial Guinea, led by H.E. Obiang NGUEMA MBASOGO, to the well-being of the population and to the development of statistical activities in the country, in order to obtain updated indicators that serve as a basis for decision-making and the design of public policies aimed at improving the socioeconomic conditions of the Equatoguinean population, such as the implementation of EDSGE-II, a survey that will provide the Government and development partners with fresh data and indicators on public health and social and demographic aspects of the population. He expressed, on behalf of the Government, his gratitude to development partners for their constant support and commitment to the implementation of EDSGE-II.
During their mission to Equatorial Guinea, the experts visited the laboratories in Baney, the La Paz Hospital in Malabo, and the Sampaka Hospital. In Bata, they visited the laboratories of the Regional Hospital of Bata, the La Paz Hospital in Bata, the New INSESO in Bata, and the Bome laboratory.
The mission is composed of Mr. Orlando Santos Monteiro, of Cape Verdean nationality, expert in Demographic and Health Surveys, and Dr. Michel Toukam, of Cameroonian nationality, expert in biomarkers.
This meeting also included the participation of the Secretary General and the Director General of Childhood of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Social Affairs and Crafts, the Director General of Studies, Planning and Health Information of the Ministry of Health, Social Welfare and Health Infrastructure; on behalf of development partners, the Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – Ms. Bindang Ndong Okiri and the Coordinator of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) were present, as well as the Deputy Director General and technical staff of INEGE.
The two experts described the mission as successful, having fulfilled all planned objectives, and expressed their satisfaction with the local team and the warm reception they received from Equatoguinean authorities.
