Gorongosa Project: Minister in US to Secure Funding for Regional Hospital & Research Centre

Since Tuesday 20 January 2026, Mozambique‘s Minister of Health, Ussene Isse has been leading an official mission to the United States to mobilize financial, technical, and institutional support for the construction of a Regional Hospital in Gorongosa. According to a press release issued today, the mission also seeks to advance the establishment of a health research and training center that aligns local priorities with the research and clinical excellence of the University of Pittsburgh.

Developed in coordination with the Gorongosa Project (GP), this mission is part of an effort to strengthen international health partnerships and secure resources from foundations, philanthropic institutions, and strategic partners. This support is intended to contribute to both the new infrastructure and the overall strengthening of the national health system.

The future Gorongosa Regional Hospital is designed as a teaching facility, integrating specialized care, human resource training, and scientific research. Additionally, a planned medicinal plant research unit will leverage local biodiversity to boost medicine production and promote sustainable solutions for the country’s primary public health challenges.

After signing the Memorandum of Understanding, the Chair of the Gorongosa Project, Greg Carr said, “I have had the opportunity to spend several days with Minister Isse, listening to his plans for healthcare in Mozambique and I am impressed with his leadership.”

During the visit, the Minister will meet with key international partners and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Health (MISAU) and the GP. This agreement is expected to broaden the partnership into strategic areas such as medical training, professional exchanges, and the long-term sustainability of health units.

Minister Isse’s leadership is crucial to providing political credibility to these negotiations and formalizing long-term commitments. Beyond resource mobilization, the initiative strengthens Mozambique’s health diplomacy, positioning the country as an active partner in innovative models that integrate medical assistance, science, and development.

The Gorongosa Project seeks to integrate conservation and human development with the understanding that a healthy ecosystem will benefit humans, who in turn will be motivated to support the objectives of Gorongosa National Park.