The Ministry of Health and Social Services on Tuesday honoured the Khorixas district with the Simon Kunene Award, which includes approximately N$180 000.
The award recognises the district’s outstanding achievement in reducing indigenous malaria transmission to near-zero levels between 2020 and 2024.
According to health minister Kalumbi Shangula, the award is named after the epidemiologist and Eswatini national Simon Kunene, who dedicated his life to advancing malaria control in southern Africa.
Shangula highlighted that the award symbolises more than just recognition but represents a renewed commitment to eliminating malaria across the region.
“This significant milestone in our public health interventions is not merely a testament to the hard work and unwavering commitment of the Khorixas health district and its residents, but also a demonstration of resilience against this disease here in Namibia and other countries across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).”
Shangula stressed that malaria has been a persistent challenge in Namibia, particularly in the northern regions where locally transmitted cases remain high.
The Khorixas district has made remarkable strides, moving from seven cases in 2020 to just one case in 2024, with no recorded cases in 2022, Shangula added.
He expressed his gratitude to the SADC E8 Initiative, regional partners, healthcare workers and community leaders for their collaborative efforts in achieving this success.
“This award is a tribute to the relentless efforts of the Khorixas district’s healthcare workers, who have worked tirelessly on the front lines, often under challenging circumstances. Their dedication to surveillance, early detection and treatment has been pivotal in our success,” he said.
However, Shangula said the achievement does not mean the ministry’s work is complete.
“Malaria remains a persistent threat and we must continue to build on our successes to ensure the gains we have made are not reversed.”
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