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Namibia Media Centre

Namibie : Vers l’élimination de la transmission mère-enfant du VIH et de l’hépatite B

En mai 2024, l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) a classé la Namibie au niveau « argent » au regard des progrès réalisés en matière de réduction de la transmission du VIH de la mère à l’enfant.

Le pays a également obtenu la certification « bronze » pour ses efforts visant à éliminer la transmission de l’hépatite B de la mère à l’enfant.

« Nous sommes très heureux de constater qu’après 22 ans d’efforts concertés, l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé a reconnu que la Namibie était sur la voie de l’élimination de la transmission mère-enfant du VIH et de l’hépatite B », s’est réjoui le Dr Kalumbi Shangula, Ministre namibien de la santé.

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Namibia: On the path to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B

In May 2024, World Health Organization (WHO) certified Namibia as having reached “silver tier” status for progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

The country also attained a “bronze tier” status on the path to ending transmission of hepatitis B from mother to child.

“It is so gratifying to note that after 22 years of concerted effort, we have now come to the situation where World Health Organization has recognized that Namibia is on the path to elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B,” says Dr Kalumbi Shangula, Namibia’s Minister of Health.

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Namibia COVID - 19 Outbreak Response

Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, CDC Director, Dr. Eric Dziuban and WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses at the Hosea Kutato International Airport inspecting the readiness of the airport for initial screening and the temporary isolation facilities.
President of the Republic of Namibia His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob reaching out to greet WHO Representative Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses at the Hosea Kutato Airport outside the isolation facility at the airport
The country is investing in increasing its case management capacity. This is a new isolation facility that is being constructed as part of the COVID-19 response
WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses in front of the nearly completed isolation facility.
Namibia launched a COVID-19 Communication Centre on 2 April 2020 jointly managed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology. The Center host 2 daily live media briefings on COVID-19 involving all sectors.
WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses together the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Ester Muinjangue and Deputy Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology Hon. Emma Theofilus updating the media on COVID-19 at the COVID-19 Communication Center.
WHO Country office engaging the media to increase awareness on COVID-19 risk reduction measures and response strategies.
WHO Country office engaging the media to increase awareness on COVID-19 risk reduction measures and response strategies.
Building Capacity of different cadres of health care providers has been an integral part of preparedness and response.
Building Capacity of different cadres of health care providers has been an integral part of preparedness and response.
Building Capacity of different cadres of health care providers has been an integral part of preparedness and response.
Health education sessions in workplaces including the UN before the lockdown.
Hand-washing stations are being constructed in informal settlements with the help of community health workers and civil society organizations
WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses and UNICEF Representative, Mrs Rachel Odede handing over infection prevention and control materials for health workers to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations, Right Honorable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Points of Entry Team conducting supervisory support visits at police checkpoints in and around Windhoek
WHO providing critical medical supplies to the COVID-19 response
Training a group of food distributors from the Food Bank programme on COVID-19 and how to protect themselves and the community while distributing food to the most vulnerable.
Infection prevention and control team supporting health facilities to ensure facility's readiness and response when handling suspected COVID-19 cases
Strengthening surveillance and data management through training
COVID-19 medical supplies handed over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services
COVID-19 medical supplies handed over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services
WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses handing over COVID-19 medical supplies to the Honorable Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula
WHO COVID-19 Case Management Focal person at the COVID-19 Communication Centre sharing on patient management. The one hour session was streamed live on all media houses in Namibia
Namibia has expanded its testing strategy for COVID-19 to all potentially at risk population groups to ensure that no case is missed.
WHO and MOHSS conducted a two week integrated training on COVID-19 from 6-22 May 2020. The training attracted close to 600 participants from government, academia and civil society organization.
WHO Representative, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses, visit to one of the hospitals in Windhoek prepared to treat mild to severe cases of COVID-19
WHO Representative, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses, visit to one of the hospitals in Windhoek prepared to treat mild to severe cases of COVID-19
Case management and Infection Prevention and Control Pillars conducted a simulation exercise in Windhoek on 23 May 2020 in preparation for treating mild to severe COVID-19 cases
Case management and Infection Prevention and Control Pillars conducted a simulation exercise in Windhoek on 23 May 2020 in preparation for treating mild to severe COVID-19 cases
The President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob commissioned the intensive care unit and isolation unit for COVID-19 cases at the Windhoek Central Hospital on 3 June 2020
Ministry of Health and Social Services with support from the United Nations in Namibia and other partners produced COVID-19 leaflets, posters, radio and television jingles for the general public in all local languages, in braille and sign language. Some of the leaflets and posters were also printed in large font to the cater partially blind.
Ministry of Health and Social Services, WHO and partners are on an assessment mission to the Omaheke Region to determine the region's preparedness and response to COVID-19 pandemic. The team concluded its two day visit on 16 June 2020 after consultations with the regional health emergency team, and visits to the border posts and health facilities.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services, WHO and partners are in the Erongo Region since 10 June 2020 to provide hands on support to the region to contain the spread of COVID-19 outbreak. Erongo is currently in stage 1 lockdown and have the highest number of cases 2nd to the Khomas region. The team in Erongo region is strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, case management, laboratory services, infection prevention and control and mental health and psycho-social support.
Ministry of Health and Social Services with partners set up a COVID-19 testing centre in Kuisebmund on 20 June 2020 to actively find cases, isolate and treat. The testing strategy has been expanded to all residents of Walvisbay targeting at least 2000 tests by 27 June 2020.
Surveillance team in Walvsbay, Erongo Region is mapping COVID-19 cases and contacts from Kuisebmund to understand the transmission better in the hot spot.
Surveillance team in Walvsbay, Erongo Region is mapping COVID-19 cases and contacts from Kuisebmund to understand the transmission better in the hot spot.
COVID-19 Data management team ( MOHSS, CDC, WHO, UNICEF, Health Information Systems Programme Namibia and other partners) is conducting a series of training sessions on data management targeting all regions and health districts.
As part of building the capacity of front-line workers in regions, the MOHSS Field Epidemiologists from National level trained 30 participants from Zambezi region and 135 participants from Kavango East and West regions on COVID-19 case identification, contact tracing and infection prevention and control.
WHO and UNICEF support the assessment declining rates in first and second dose of measles/rubella vaccine in selected health districts in all 14 regions from 6-17 July 2020.
Special outreach to taxi drivers distributing masks, hand sanitizers and leaflets on COVID-19
Go. Data national training for surveillane and COVID-19 data managment teams
Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Representive paying a courtsey visit to the Governor of Erongo Region, Hon. Neville Itope
Dr Sagoe-Moses with the Acting SMO of Walvisbay State Hospital outside one of the COVID-19 Isolation Centres
Dr. Sagoe-Moses talking with one of the recovered COVID-19 patients
Dr. Sagoe-Moses at one of the informal settlements in Walvisbay. This settlements had reported some of the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in the past
WHO COVID-19 volunteers in Kavango Region together with WHO COVID-19 Regional Coordinator and Head of NID
WHO supporting the Intra-Action Review for COVID-19 preparedness and response in the Zambezi Region
WHO conducted a training of 30 medical officers and nurses from the HDU and ICUs to improve the care of COVID-19 patients
Namibia launched the National Action Plan on Health Security on 8 December 2020
Namibia will received it first 24.000 AstraZeneca doses from the COVAX Facility on 16 on April 2021
The Federal Government of Germany in partnership with WHO donated donating 462.000 surgical masks worth a little over 2 million Namibian Dollar to the Government of Namibia through the Ministry of Health and Social Services on 23 June 2021 with aim of protecting the frontline health worker against COVID-19.
WHO donated 20 oxygen concentrators on 18 May 2021 at the peak Country's third wave to address the shortfall experienced at the time.
Launch of the mass media campaign on COVID-19 vaccination on 6 August 2021
WHO facilitated the arrival of a team of 10 medics from the UK Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) to strengthen management of severe and critical COVID-19 in Namibia with support from the United Kingdom. The Minister of Health and Social Services, High Commissioner of British High Commission in Namibia and WHO welcomed the Team at a press briefing on 9 August 2021 as they embark on their 6 weeks mission.
WHO Representive, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses and his team paying a courtesy call to the Omaheke Regional Governor, Hon Pio Nganate and learning about the region's innovate approaches to increasing demand for COVID-19 vaccination
WHO Namibia
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WHO Representave, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses observing COVID-19 vaccination at a mobile vaccination site in Drimiopsis, in Omaheke Region
WHO Namibia
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WHO team providing support and guidance to a COVID-19 mobile team in Gobabis, Omaheke Region
WHO Namibia
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Namibia reported the first two cases of  COVID-19 on 13 March a couple from Romania who came to visit Namibia.     A state of emergency was declared by the Namibian Head of the State on 17 March 2020.  

As of  9 November 2021, for your information and use, as follows:-   

  • A cumulative total of 129,038 COVID-19 confirmed cases, last 24 hours new cases 11
  • A cumulative total of 3,564 deaths (CFR 2.8%), Zero (0) death has been reported in the last 24 hours. 
  • A cumulative total of 125,299 (97%) recovered cases, cumulative previous 24 hours (97%)
  • A cumulative total of 163 active cases currently.
  • A cumulative total of 4,356 (3%) Health Workers infected, cumulative total previous 24 hours 4,356
  • A cumulative total of 16 hospitalized confirmed cases (cumulative total previous 24 hours;10), currently 0 in ICU/High Dependency Units (cumulative total previous 24 hours,0).
  • A cumulative total of 342,335 received their 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine (Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Pfizer, Janssen) and 215,334 received their 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine (Sinopharm and AstraZeneca) to date.

WHO Namibia with UN Cares jointly educates UN Staff on Mental Health in the Workplace

Dr Sagoe Moses delivering his remarks at the UN lecture on mental health
Dr Sagoe-Moses and Dr Barihuta with Madam Kiki Gbeho UN Resident Coordinator having a chat before the lecture on mental health in the workplace
Mr David Uushona, UN Cares Namibia Chairperson
Ms Gash Emerita Malanguka and Ms Daisy //Gamxamus, clinical psychologists from the Ministry of Health and Social Service
Dr Tharcisse Barihuta, UNAIDS Country Director thanking Gash and Daisy from the Ministry of Health and Social Services for their presentation
Letisia from UNFPA listening attentively to the presentations on mental health
Group Photo of UN Staff in Namibia who attended the session on mental health in the workplace
Madam Kiki Gbeho delivering her remarks during the mental health educational session at the UN House

"Work related stress is attributed to the quantity of work and multiple deadlines and ones ability to manage this. A tense, non- friendly work space can escalate the stress levels in the office and affect interpersonal relations in the office."

This was said by the WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses at a UN Cares function on mental health in the workplace for UN staff in Namibia.

The event was jointly hosted by WHO Namibia and UN Cares on 20 October 2017 as part of creating awareness on mental health in the workplace.

Ms Daisy //Gamxamus and Ms Gash Emerita Malanguka, clinical psychologists at the Mental Health Unit of the Ministry of Health and Social Services made the presentation.

Maternity waiting homes in Namibia: Hope for the future

This documentary “Maternity waiting homes in Namibia: Hope for the future” focuses on one of the core components of PARMaCM, the importance of keeping pregnant women and young mothers safe via the construction of maternity waiting homes in Namibia. The movie is the product of concerted efforts of the Namibian TV Production Company Quiet Storm and the three PARMaCM stakeholders, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

PARMaCM stands for “The Programme for Accelerating the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality” and its objective is to accelerate the achievement of MDGs 4 and 5 of reducing child mortality and improving maternal health in Namibia.