Health experts from Namibia and Angola gathered in Ondangwa on  7 November for a four (4)-day meeting to strengthen cross-border collaboration for disease prevention and control. The meeting was convened by the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services in partnership with WHO with support from the Government of Japan.  

The cross-border collaboration between the two countries was initiated in 2007, and this year, discussions focused on Severe Acute Malnutrition, Hepatitis E Virus After Action Review, Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), COVID-19, HIV, TB, Malaria, Guinea Worm Disease (GWD) and other neglected tropical diseases along the common border. The specific objectives of the meeting were to review the status of implementation of recommendations made to Angola and Namibia during the cross-border collaboration meeting held in November 2019, update participants on the epidemiology, surveillance, management related to Severe Acute Malnutrition, EPI and other priority infectious diseases including COVID-19; share cross-border best practices/experiences and identify key challenges and proposed solutions by the regions/provinces, along the common border and draft a joint plan for 2023/2024 for future collaboration to strengthen cross-border surveillance and communication. 

Welcoming the participants to his region, the Governor of Oshana Region, Honorable Elia Irimari underscored the importance of the meeting by referring to the vulnerability of  both countries to disease outbreaks ‘since diseases are not confined to borders’.  He said that ‘diseases can easily be transmitted across geographical borders through the movements of humans, animals and goods. This implies that when people move, so does communicable diseases.’ He called on participants to reinforce joint efforts ‘in strengthening cross border disease surveillance and exchanging of technical capacities to address common challenges.’ 

The Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Mr Ben Nangombe in his keynote address stated that both countries are signatory to the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR), which mandates countries to strengthen core capacities for health security. The IHR 2025 obligates all States Parties to develop the required public health capacities to detect, assess, notify, and report public health events. He referred to articles 21 and 57 of the IHR, where countries with common borders are entreated to consider entering into bilateral and multilateral agreements to prevent and control international disease transmission. The Executive Director further said that ‘Strong and resilient health systems form the backbone of sustained health development in any country. I am happy to share with you that, the meaningful and continuous engagement between Namibia and Angola in health-related matters remains a key priority’. 

Speaking on behalf of WHO Representative Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, Ms Rosalina De wee, WHO Health Emergency Cluster Lead, stated that Namibia and Angola are some of the countries in southern Africa at an advanced stage of rolling out the WHO Regional Office for Africa Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) flagship initiative that aims to strengthen the countries capacity to prepare for, detect and respond to emergencies. This initiative aims to collectively fast track implementation of National Action Plans for Health security and strengthen the core capacities of the IHR with the ultimate goal of preventing, detecting and responding to public health emergencies. The flagship projects will leverage existing infrastructure and incorporate lessons learned from responding to COVID-19, and other infectious disease outbreaks within the African Region. The cross-border meeting is well aligned to the objectives of this flagship programme and will facilitate both countries ability to comply with the IHR 2005 requirements to assess, build and maintain effective and functional capacities and  health systems. 

This meeting brought together a total of Eighty (80) participants from Angola (Cunene and Namibe provinces) and Namibia (Kunene, Ohangwena, Oshana and Omusati Regions). 

The meeting recommended for a stronger integrated surveillance along the common borders as well as increased communication between the two countries.  In addition to recommendations for both countries, the meeting  was briefed on the draft memorandum of understanding that will guide future cross-border collaboration to ensure that no one is left behind in health care provision along the borders and that the principles of universal health coverage are enhanced by both countries.