Windhoek, 5 April 2011 -- The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) will commemorate World Health Day from 6-7 April 2011 under the theme “Combat Drug Resistance: “No action today, No cure tomorrow”. Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) occurs when medicines that have proven to work are no longer effective to fight more lethal and tough germs. These resistant germs or bacteria can quickly spread to family members, learners, and co-workers - threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat. This year’s World Health Day (WHD) calls for urgent and coordinated action at all levels, to ensure the preservation of these life-saving drugs for future generations.

In response to this year’s theme, the MoHSS with support from WHO, will be hosting two events to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). On 6th April 2011, a Health Professionals Seminar will be held targeting nurses, doctors, pharmacists, government officials and other stakeholders to develop and implement policies and practices needed to prevent and counter the emergence of these highly resistant microorganisms. At this occasion, WHO will issue a call for action to halt the spread of medicine resistance by introducing a comprehensive policy package for use by countries and partners. Also, a Public Awareness and Education Programme will be held on 7th April 2011 at Katutura State Hospital.

Programme of Events: Media Invitation

Event: Health Professionals Seminar - Combatting AMR in Namibia through Strategies and Policies: Launch of WHO 6-Point Policy Package

Date: Wednesday, 6th April 2011

Time: 18H00 – 20H00

Venue: Windhoek Central Hospital, Conference Room, Ooievaar Street, Windhoek West.

Event: World Health Day: AMR Public Awareness & Education

Date: Thursday, 7th April 2011

Venue: The Walk starts from Okahandja Weg to Katatura State Hospital

Time: Gathering at 08H00 and start walking at 08H30

Commemoration: 09H00 – 12H00 at Katutura State Hospital, main parking area, Windhoek

Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) occurs due to over-prescribing of certain medicines, the use of fake and counterfeit medicines, poor prescribing habits and non-compliance to prescribed treatment. If not properly managed, resistant germs may spread and cause severe diseases. However, attempts have been made to overcome drug resistance through the development of newer medicines and combining multiple drugs in the treatment of single germs.

In Namibia, medicine resistance to some diseases has already emerged with increasing numbers of patients developing Drug-Resistance In 2009, a total of 372 cases of Drug-Resistant TB Tuberculosis (DR-TB) cases were reported which is more difficult to treat. In the African Region over 35,000 cases of resistance to several previously effective TB drugs used have been notified by over 35 countries since 2007. In the case of malaria, the wide-spread resistance to Chloroquina since the 1990’s led WHO to recommend a change of malaria treatment policies to new combination drugs. Thus, World Health Day aims to protect and ensure the preservation of these life-saving drugs for future generations.

Issued by: Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) & the World Health Organization (WHO)

For more details, contact:

MoHSS: Director of IEC: Mr Bashupi Maloboka – email – bmalaboka [at] mhss.gov.na (bmalaboka[at]mhss[dot]gov[dot]na) Ph +26461-203-2803 /+264-81-129-1965

WHO: Communications & Advocacy Officer: Michelle Thulkanam – email - thulkanamm [at] na.afro.who.int (thulkanamm[at]na[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int) , Ph- +26461-255-191/+264-81-423-0556