Namibia News

Namibia was certified polio free since October 2008 and had continued routine and national immunization campaigns to maintain its polio free status. However, the country remains at high risk for vaccine derived polio viruses due to low detection of Acute Flaccid Paralysis cases in the bordering regions which is used as an indicator to measure how sensitive the surveillance system is. In addition, there is high number of un and under vaccinated children along the Namibian- Angolan and Namibia-Zambia border with 5 densely populated regions bordering these two countries.

Approximately 1,629,289 (64%) Namibians are at risk of contracting malaria. Malaria transmission is unstable, seasonal, characterized by outbreaks and concentrated in  7 endemic northern regions. The malaria transmission season typically begins in December and ends in May with the peak transmission months being April and May. The Ministry of Health and Social Services is conducting indoor residual house spraying (IRS) to reduce the malaria mosquito population responsible for transmission as one of several prevention strategies.

COVID-19 calls for resilient school environment that ensures continuity in education and services beyond academic delivery.

he African Ministers of Health adopted the Regional Strategy for Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response (IDSR 2020-2030) during the 69th Regional Committee for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, which mandated all Member States including Namibia, to implement the 3rd Edition IDSR Technical Guidelines. WHO IDSR generic guidelines version 3, was launched in November 2019, and a Training of Trainers (TOT) was conducted, including participants from each AFRO member states, including Namibia.

World Patient Safety Day was established in 2019 to enhance global understanding of patient safety, increase public engagement in the safety of health care and promote global actions to enhance patient safety and reduce patient harm.

Health emergencies including the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlighted weaknesses in countries’ emergency preparedness and response.  COVID-19 adversely affected socio- economic status of countries  and  had disastrous human consequences. It compelled the world to look at population health as a cause and consequence of sustainable development.

Doctor Elia, a male vicenarian, breathes with ease while reciting his account to staff from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in November 2020 at Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Despite being racked with pain from a piercing headache, labored breathing, a sore throat, along with high fever - all symptoms of the Coronavirus infection - Doctor Elia appears content and has a positive attitude amidst the pandemic.

Ndilimeke Mutikisha, a Regional Environmental Health Practitioner for the Otjozondjupa Health Directorate under Public and Environmental Health services, is in massive awe of contact tracing workers who are keeping people going amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  Mutikisha, who also serves as the National Head of Contact Tracing for COVID-19 in Windhoek, is impressed with the work that those in key jobs are doing to help save lives and provide people with essentials during the current global health crisis.