Brava and the ongoing wait for the promised New Health Center

The new health center was seen as a key solution to improving the island’s medical care. Brava, one of the smallest and most isolated islands in Cape Verde, has faced major challenges in the area of health care. The current infrastructure, dating back several decades, is not able to adequately meet the growing demand of residents, especially considering the limited resources and the need for a more modern and equipped structure.

Since the announcement of the intention to build the new health center, the population has expressed its impatience. Several local organizations and citizens have been demanding answers from the authorities, highlighting that the health situation on the island remains precarious, with residents having to travel to other islands in search of specialized care or even basic medical services, due to the lack of resources in the current health facility.

The tender launched in October 2024 was seen as a positive step, but months have passed and no significant update has been given on the progress of the process. Experts in the local health sector warn of the urgency of the work, not only for the construction from scratch and modernization of the facilities, but also for the population in need of adequate medical care.

The situation is even more worrying when you consider that, in addition to the lack of doctors and infrastructure, the island faces a shortage of transportation for residents who need more complex care.

Brava continues to cry out for answers. The new health center, in addition to promising improved medical care, represents a fundamental step forward in the quality of life of the people of Brava, who have long been waiting for better health care conditions. It is hoped that the Government and the competent authorities will soon be more clear about the progress of the project, so that the island can finally have the health structure it so desperately needs and that was promised. Expectations are high, but the population's patience has its limits. Brava is waiting, yearning and crying out for this new Health Center.

With its natural beauty and resilient population, Brava Island finds itself once again waiting for unfulfilled promises. The new Health Center, announced as a solution to improve the quality of medical care, remains an unfulfilled dream. The promise to start construction by the end of 2024, with the launch of the public tender in October last year, generated great expectations, but so far, silence reigns. This is just one chapter in a book of unfulfilled promises that has been repeated for years, and the local population is beginning to doubt that these promises will ever become reality.

However, the Health Center is not the only dream that has been postponed on the island. For years, the population has been fighting for improvements in access and transportation conditions, and the promises made by the authorities have proven empty. One of the most eagerly awaited was the promise of a maritime link that would allow the island to be connected to the rest of the country within 24 hours. However, this project never materialized, leaving residents to depend on unreliable transportation with frequent interruptions. Frustration grew with the burial of the project and the philosophy behind the creation of the Cabo Verde Fast Ferry, whose main objective was to provide overnight stays on Brava Island. Today, the island finds itself isolated again, without fast and efficient alternatives to meet the mobility needs of its population.

Furthermore, the promise of a road connecting Baleia, one of the most remote and deprived areas on the island, continues to be postponed. The road would be essential to improve access to health, education and commerce, as well as promote tourism and development in the region. Unfortunately, the authorities have not given clear answers about the progress of this project, which always seems to be out of reach for the people of Braga.

Other promises, such as the creation of a helicopter service for emergency transport, are also still on paper. The population of Brava often finds itself helpless, with no alternatives for urgent situations that require faster and more specialized care. The lack of this transportation structure has been a constant concern, as residents fear that, in the event of an emergency, there will not be enough resources to save lives.

The sum of these unfulfilled promises has generated a growing sense of disillusionment among the people of Brava. The population, which has already faced historical challenges related to infrastructure and access to basic services, is beginning to believe that the new Health Center will be just another empty promise. The withdrawal of the fast ferry, the lack of improvements in maritime transport, the road to Baleia and the helicopter are just some examples of unfulfilled commitments that make the people of Brava feel increasingly forgotten and helpless.

At a time of great need, the residents of Brava are crying out for answers and action. The new Health Center, the efficient maritime connection, the road to Baleia and the creation of a helicopter service are not just promises, but real needs to improve the quality of life of the population. It is to be hoped that the Government will finally recognize the urgency of these issues and make a concrete commitment to transforming these promises into reality. Otherwise, a sense of disillusionment could take hold of a community that has long demonstrated its patience, but is beginning to lose faith in empty words.

Moses Santiago