At the entrance of the Katima Mulilo State Hospital is a large tent. There, a 30-year-old Josephine Poniso gracefully interacts with an older male patient seeking medical attention. 

She encourages the patient to wear a mask and then explains that he would need to be screened for symptoms of Covid-19 before proceeding to the hospital. 

Poniso is a Senior Community Health Worker for the Community Based Response Initiative (CBRI), a project funded by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

WHO Namibia in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Namibia organized a two-day stakeholder workshop to validate the National Health Policy Framework (NHPF) developed with support of  WHO. The health sector strategic agenda in the country has been guided by the National Health Policy Framework (NHPF) 2010-2020 and the MoHSS Strategic Plan 2017/18-2021/22.

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that health is not just a prerequisite to development but is fundamental to economies, societies, national security, and political stability.  The emphasis on ‘building back better’ allows governments across the globe to re-think their strategies for emergency preparedness and response to avoid and largely minimize the devasting impact witnessed during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

19 June 2023 marked the launch of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) 3^rd edition Technical Guidelines with the aim of strengthening Namibia’s capacity to detect, report, confirm, and effectively respond to high-priority communicable and non-communicable diseases in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. 

Health research is an essential tool for improving health and health equity. It provides evidence-based policy and decision-making and has the potential to deliver widespread population health changes that respond to critical needs and contribute to sustainable development outcomes in the world's poorest countries.

Dr Kalumbi Shangula, The Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), declared the end of the CCHF outbreak on 19 June 2023. The CCHF outbreak was reported in Gobabis District, Omaheke Region.  MoHSS notified WHO about the confirmed CCHF outbreak in Gobabis district on 21 May 2023. The confirmed case died on 18 May 2023. The outbreak was declared on 22 May 2023. Only one confirmed case was reported during the CCHF outbreak.

Ministry of Health and Social Services  with support from the Government of Japan through the World Health Organization Namibia has been implementing a project to address severe acute malnutrition in six-regions   - Khomas, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto and Hardap regions, resulting in an increased uptake of nutrition interventions in the regions. The project received funding from the Government of Japan of USD 750,000.00 from 1 February 2022- 28 February 2023. 

The Ministry of Health and Social Service (MoHSS), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC), and other partners has developed and launched the Hospital Quality Standards (HQS) in 2021 and will conclude in 2024 with accreditation of the selected hospitals. The implementation of HQS aims to identify gaps in the functions, activities, processes, and structures that support healthcare provision, initiate continuous improvement interventions, and accredit healthcare facilities.

Hon. John Mutorwa, Minister of Works and Transport launched the 7^th UN Global Road Safety Week on Monday and relayed his message on sustainable mobility systems that caters for all road users including pedestrians and cyclists.

The Ministry of Health has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) of partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) Namibia Office under Emergency preparedness and Response Flagship Initiative.  As part of the MOA, WHO handed over digital Learning equipment and a fleet of 8 (4x4) multipurpose field vehicles including a well-equipped ambulance to cater for rapid response in emergency operations.