The Ministry of Health and Social Services has intensified its efforts to fight malaria and cholera outbreaks recorded in the northern parts of the country.
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula says the ministry has launched several public health interventions to enhance Namibia’s emergency preparedness in response to the country’s malaria outbreak and a suspected cholera case in the Kunene region.
During his address at the launch of the National Multi-Hazard Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan in Windhoek yesterday, he said Namibia must stay ahead of health emergencies.
“This is indeed cause for jubilation. That we have been able to establish these tools is a sign of the vision it takes to always have our nation ahead of disease outbreaks,” he said.
The ceremony was also marked by the launch of the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (pheoc) Handbook, the official handover of a Digital Learning Platform for healthcare workers, and the handover of 80 electronic tablets to community healthcare workers, courtesy of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Namibia is ahead of schedule in establishing a Public Health Emergency Operation Centre as mandated by the African Union’s Lusaka Declaration, which calls for such centres in all member states by 2026, Shangula said.
The country is also moving ahead with the Namibia Institute of Public Health, which was approved by the Cabinet last year.
Shangula emphasised Namibia’s preparedness activities dating as far back as 2003.
‘REMEMBER COVID LESSONS’
He highlighted the importance of unity, using lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic taught us that infections don’t know or respect boundaries. Collective efforts in the highest interest of all of humankind are thus warranted.”
Shangula said the introduction of the Digital Learning Platform marks a shift towards access to medical guidelines and training in real time among healthcare workers.
He said the tablets that are being distributed among community healthcare workers are designed to digitise services, enhance disease surveillance, and enhance reporting systems.
“We are constructing a lasting public health system that aims for the safety and welfare of all people in this country through collective effort, innovation and hard work,” Shangula said.
Speaking at the same event, WHO country representative Richard Banda warned that public health emergencies remain a major threat to economies and health security.
“The African region bears the heaviest burden, with more than 100 major public health events occurring annually. Such emergencies often overwhelm already weak healthcare systems, interrupt essential services, and fuel unprecedented socio-economic disruptions,” he said.
Banda highlighted the ongoing cholera outbreaks in southern Africa and Namibia’s own confirmed case as a reminder of the need for continuous preparedness.
Banda expressed concern over the country’s ongoing malaria outbreak, assuring Namibians of the WHO’s full support.
“The first step in preparedness is having a plan. This plan will serve as a catalyst to enhance the existing coordination mechanism to prepare, detect, and respond timely to different types of health emergencies in the country and beyond,” he said.
Banda said the WHO has mobilised additional resources through the Pandemic Fund Multi-Country project to strengthen the operationalisation of the PHEOC.
“This funding will help develop multisectoral surge plans and prepare national surge capacities for deployment,” he said.
DIGITAL BOOST
Banda announced the WHO’s contributions towards the flagship initiative, including a fully equipped Digital Learning Platform valued at N$875 399 and 80 digital devices worth N$550 000 for community healthcare workers.
“These tools will improve the transmission of critical health information and enhance disease surveillance,” he said.
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