Strengthening capacity on implementing Primary Health Care Quality Standards

Namibia health care provider at an outreach point.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is committed to improving the quality of healthcare services across Namibia. In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Namibia, and other stakeholders, MoHSS has rolled out the National Primary Health Care Quality Standards. The quality standards aim to improve the quality of healthcare services at the PHC level by ensuring patient safety, providing client-centered care, strengthening health management systems and promoting health equity.

Delivering over 50 metric tons of medical supplies to the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains in Sudan

WHO South Sudan prepositioned emergency health kits from existing stockpiles in areas adjacent to the Sudan-South Sudan border

The ongoing crisis in Sudan has significantly impeded the ability of the WHO office in Sudan to access and deliver essential emergency medical supplies to the regions of the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains.

Due to the limited access and operational capacity in Sudan, the WHO Country Office in Sudan collaborated with WHO South Sudan office to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian commodities from South Sudan and provide the necessary support.

Namibia is striving to improve quality of care for maternal and child health

Team from MOHSS and WHO conducting the quality assessment of maternal health care services

Namibia was one of the countries in the WHO Africa Region (AFRO) to conduct an assessment on the quality of care for maternal and child health in health facilities.  WHO’s vision for quality of care is for every pregnant woman and newborn to receive quality of care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. The assessment that was conducted in March 2024 was supported by AFRO and aimed to determine the approaches countries employ and document lessons on institutionalizing quality of care for pregnant women and their newborns. 

Mozambique Ministry of Health Delegation Visits Sierra Leone for Public Health Learning Exchange

South-South
A delegation from the Mozambique Ministry of Health, led by National Director of Public Health Dr. Quinhas Francisco Fernandes, visited Sierra Leone from March 25th to 29th for a South-to-South learning and experience sharing facilitated by the WHO Country Office. The visit focused on learning from Sierra Leone's experiences in emergency management, preparedness, and response.

Strengthening Border Health Measures: Sierra Leone's Commitment to the International Health Regulations

border supervision
In March 2024, Sierra Leone's National Points of Entry, and border health, with technical support from WHO, conducted a seven-day supervision initiative in nineteen points of entry across eight border districts including the airport. The objective was to identify immediate gaps and offer recommendations for swift resolution. While routine capabilities have been developed for main points of entry and 38 border crossings over the years, attention is now directed towards the remaining 298 crossing points requiring effective operations. Critical capacities established, include the availability of port health staff for traveler screening and establishing linkages between points of entry and nearby health facilities for swift referrals, essential for ensuring a quick and safe response.

Namibia embrace Digital Learning Platform (DLP) to enhance preparedness and response to Public Health Events

Digital Learning Platform (DLP) to enhance preparedness and response to health emergencies.

In September 2022, Namibia joined other Member States in the WHO African Region to implement the Emergency Preparedness and Response Flagship (EPR) Initiative aimed at strengthening, emergency preparedness and response, disease surveillance, including laboratory capacities of countries across Africa. In line with the implementation of EPR flagship initiative, one of the key components calls for member states to have database of surge staff trained in emergency management and ready for deployment within 24 -48 hours to respond to public health events in country and beyond.