Amid HIV success, alarm over surge in malaria
Health minister calls for collaboration to tackle health inequalities
More than 6 100 cases of malaria have been recorded so far this year, and 15 people have died.
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula has emphasised the need for collaboration to address health inequalities at a high-level roundtable discussion on HIV, tuberculosis (TB), malaria and pandemics.
The event, held at State House on Friday, was organised by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the United Nations to translate insights into impactful actions by focusing on politically relevant arguments and proposing evidence-based solutions to address a critical nexus of inequalities.
Shangula highlighted Namibia's progress in its battle against HIV, with significant declines seen between 2018 and 2022. The country has achieved 94-97-95 status on the UNAIDS 95-95-95 fast-track targets, reflecting high rates of diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression.
Big strides
Free HIV testing, counselling and treatment services are available nationwide, coupled with the decentralisation of treatment to community-based ART centres and adherence clubs.
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV has also yielded impressive results.
"At the moment, 98.5% of babies born to HIV-infected mothers are free from the virus," Shangula said.
He also noted that Namibia is the second country in southern Africa to be recognised by the World Health Organisation as being on the path to elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Ongoing challenges
The minister also addressed ongoing challenges posed by TB and malaria. In 2022, Namibia reported 8 604 TB cases, with a cure rate of 87%.
However, TB remains the leading cause of death among people living with HIV.
For malaria, the country recorded over 6 147 cases this year, with 15 deaths, indicating an increase from the previous year.
"This is an increase in both the number of cases and deaths from the previous year, when 287 admissions and six deaths were recorded."
Malaria is endemic in ten out of fourteen regions. Initiatives to combat malaria are being intensified, Shangula said.
The ministry offers free diagnosis and treatment in all public health facilities and the public has access to effective anti-malaria medicines and diagnostic tests.
In addition to free diagnosis and treatment, the ministry also distributes insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
Work together
The discussion also touched on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused significant disruptions to economies and exacerbated inequalities.
Shangula stressed the importance of reducing inequalities and forging partnerships to tackle infectious diseases. "Partnership is a vital mechanism in the fight against infectious diseases," he said.
He emphasised the need for collaboration not only within Namibia but also across regional and sub-regional boundaries.
The event, held at State House on Friday, was organised by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the United Nations to translate insights into impactful actions by focusing on politically relevant arguments and proposing evidence-based solutions to address a critical nexus of inequalities.
Shangula highlighted Namibia's progress in its battle against HIV, with significant declines seen between 2018 and 2022. The country has achieved 94-97-95 status on the UNAIDS 95-95-95 fast-track targets, reflecting high rates of diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression.
Big strides
Free HIV testing, counselling and treatment services are available nationwide, coupled with the decentralisation of treatment to community-based ART centres and adherence clubs.
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV has also yielded impressive results.
"At the moment, 98.5% of babies born to HIV-infected mothers are free from the virus," Shangula said.
He also noted that Namibia is the second country in southern Africa to be recognised by the World Health Organisation as being on the path to elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Ongoing challenges
The minister also addressed ongoing challenges posed by TB and malaria. In 2022, Namibia reported 8 604 TB cases, with a cure rate of 87%.
However, TB remains the leading cause of death among people living with HIV.
For malaria, the country recorded over 6 147 cases this year, with 15 deaths, indicating an increase from the previous year.
"This is an increase in both the number of cases and deaths from the previous year, when 287 admissions and six deaths were recorded."
Malaria is endemic in ten out of fourteen regions. Initiatives to combat malaria are being intensified, Shangula said.
The ministry offers free diagnosis and treatment in all public health facilities and the public has access to effective anti-malaria medicines and diagnostic tests.
In addition to free diagnosis and treatment, the ministry also distributes insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
Work together
The discussion also touched on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused significant disruptions to economies and exacerbated inequalities.
Shangula stressed the importance of reducing inequalities and forging partnerships to tackle infectious diseases. "Partnership is a vital mechanism in the fight against infectious diseases," he said.
He emphasised the need for collaboration not only within Namibia but also across regional and sub-regional boundaries.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article