A shining light for her nation

NAMIBIAN doctor Esperance Luvindao (27) has been honoured by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth with a Commonwealth Points of Light award for delivering free online consultations to more than 44 000 patients from Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria and Rwanda since 2019.

According to the Points of Light website, Luvindao started offering the sessions after working in northern Namibia and noticing the difficulties underprivileged citizens experienced accessing healthcare, with many patients having to travel long distances of over 50km and waiting up to 10 hours to see a doctor.

She also started the One Step at a Time initiative, which has helped more than 35 000 Namibians by purchasing crucial medication and medical equipment for village health practices, and has played a key role in supporting the country’s vaccine campaign in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Luvindao, who is also a health advocate, public-speaking coach and poet says the award she received on Friday reduced her to tear.

“We do not work to be acknowledged, but to be acknowledged for doing the work you love is a different kind of blessing. This is my first international humanitarian award,” she told The Namibian yesterday.

Because of her passion for public health and improving the quality of healthcare for patients, Luvindao, who grew up in Windhoek, chose to do her community service in the northern part of the country at Onandjokwe State Hospital.

Luvindao, a University of Namibia graduate, attended primary school at Maarti Arthisaari in Windhoek up to Grade 3 before proceeding to St Paul’s College until Grade 12.

“I am really passionate about public health, and assisting people from poor backgrounds and the north was a better fit for me,” she said, adding that while working in the north, she started the One Step at a Time initiative, as well as offering free online consultations that have served more than 44 000 people.

She said, being in the system and serving people, not just Namibians, but also Angolan nationals who visit the hospital, allowed her to see the need for medical doctors who see medicine beyond and above just treating patients.

“I started the One Step at a Time initiative to assist in purchasing medications, medical equipment and drugs that are out of stock within the state system for patients that cannot afford them. We also have the free online consultations where patients can access me and other healthcare practitioners and make their requests or needs known,” Luvindao added.

She said when patients contact them they can institute emergency medicine. For example, if a child has severe diarrhoea and vomiting, they can give immediate remedies while the patient is on the way to the hospital. Luvindao added that through that they were able to save thousands of lives.

According to the Points of Life website, Charles Moore, the British high commissioner to Namibia, said: “Dr Esperance Luvindao is an outstanding individual whose passion for delivering healthcare to the poorest communities in Namibia, both physically and remotely, is truly inspirational. She epitomises the Commonwealth Points of Light in every way, with her selfless and energetic activities, literally saving thousands of lives.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of every individual having access to basic healthcare services, regardless of their socio-economic status, but many are still unable to access healthcare services and information, either because of a lack of technology or, more often, due to physical distance from their nearest clinic.

“By closing this gap, Dr Luvindao has contributed significantly to the availability of healthcare for the poorest and most remote communities in Namibia, with free online consultations providing a new and innovative method of delivering care and advice. This is proving most effective in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, infant and paediatric care, and reducing the spread of misinformation about Covid-19 and vaccinations….”