Namibia News

COVID-19 calls for resilient school environment that ensures continuity in education and services beyond academic delivery. Available data suggests that COVID-19 have limited direct burden on children’s health, accounting for about 8.5% of reported cases globally, and very few deaths.  In contrast, prolonged school closures seem to increase the risk of exposure to violence, neglect and exploitation, early and unintended pregnancies and school dropout.   Global estimates suggest that up to 60% of time-on-task for in-school learning has been lost since March 2020 (UNICEF 2021).

Wearing a surgical mask securely fitted over his nose and mouth, Frans Nambinga, a nurse at Namibia’s Windhoek Central Hospital, carefully marked down tips on triage and signs a patient may require intubation, as he was taking notes during a two-week long training given by the UK- Emergency Medical Team (UK-EMT) visiting the country.

The UK-EMT, which comprised nurses and doctors from across the globe, visited Namibia in August and September, and trained 130 health workers from 10 of Namibia’s 14 regions.

Background

World Patient Safety Day was established in 2019 to enhance global understanding of patient safety, increase public engagement in the safety of health care and promote global actions to enhance patient safety and reduce patient harm.

Doctor Elia, a male vicenarian, breathes with ease while reciting his account to staff from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in November 2020 at Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Despite being racked with pain from a piercing headache, labored breathing, a sore throat, along with high fever - all symptoms of the Coronavirus infection - Doctor Elia appears content and has a positive attitude amidst the pandemic.

Health emergencies including the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlighted weaknesses in countries’ emergency preparedness and response.  COVID-19 adversely affected socio- economic status of countries  and  had disastrous human consequences. It compelled the world to look at population health as a cause and consequence of sustainable development.

Contact tracing is looked upon as the bridge between lockdown and the COVID-19 vaccine, allowing the Namibian government to identify clusters of infections and, to stop people from passing on the virus. Without an effective system, health researchers have warned that public places, such as recreation zones, are not able to safely reopen and continue general practice.
 

Ndilimeke Mutikisha, a Regional Environmental Health Practitioner for the Otjozondjupa Health Directorate under Public and Environmental Health services, is in massive awe of contact tracing workers who are keeping people going amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  Mutikisha, who also serves as the National Head of Contact Tracing for COVID-19 in Windhoek, is impressed with the work that those in key jobs are doing to help save lives and provide people with essentials during the current global health crisis.