Namibia spends N$220 million a year to fight HIV-AIDS

The Namibian government spends nearly N$220 million annually to fight the scourge of HIV-AIDS, and the figure is expected to double over the next five years.

Speaking at a three-day workshop on HIV-AIDS and Alcohol Abuse this week, Lands and Resettlement Minister Alpheus !Naruseb said women are more adversely affected by the pandemic. He said 91 per cent of women interviewed in a national survey indicated that they are willing to take care of a relative living with HIV and AIDS.!Naruseb noted that the Namibian government, in collaboration with the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and related development partners have embarked on various campaigns to prevent the continued spread of the disease.A total of 103 000 youths between the ages of 15 and 18 have also participated in various life skills’ development programmes.”The private sector has actively started to implement programmes for their workers.The mass media has contributed through campaigns geared towards behaviour change, communication strategies and outreach programmes,” the minister said.He also lashed out at the trend of alcohol abuse in the country.!Naruseb said 56 per cent of adults are drinking in the country, while 10 per cent are suffering from different alcohol-related illnesses.He stressed that both alcohol abuse and the scourge of HIV-AIDS affects the pace at which the economy grows, and has an impact on work productivity through absenteeism.About 170 delegates are attending the workshop.The workshop was organised by an a NGO called People in Need, with the assistance of the European Union, the governments of Denmark, Holland and the Czech Republic.NampaHe said 91 per cent of women interviewed in a national survey indicated that they are willing to take care of a relative living with HIV and AIDS.!Naruseb noted that the Namibian government, in collaboration with the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and related development partners have embarked on various campaigns to prevent the continued spread of the disease.A total of 103 000 youths between the ages of 15 and 18 have also participated in various life skills’ development programmes.”The private sector has actively started to implement programmes for their workers.The mass media has contributed through campaigns geared towards behaviour change, communication strategies and outreach programmes,” the minister said.He also lashed out at the trend of alcohol abuse in the country.!Naruseb said 56 per cent of adults are drinking in the country, while 10 per cent are suffering from different alcohol-related illnesses.He stressed that both alcohol abuse and the scourge of HIV-AIDS affects the pace at which the economy grows, and has an impact on work productivity through absenteeism.About 170 delegates are attending the workshop.The workshop was organised by an a NGO called People in Need, with the assistance of the European Union, the governments of Denmark, Holland and the Czech Republic.Nampa