By: Kaleb Nghishidivali
WINDHOEK, July 31 – Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, highlighted the alarming risk faced by miners in Namibia of contracting tuberculosis (TB) during a workshop in Windhoek.
In partnership with the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), the ministry is focused on developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance Mine Health and Safety in the Mining Sector. The workshop aims to raise awareness and promote understanding of these SOPs, encouraging relevant organizations to adopt them nationwide.
According to Nangombe, TB incidence among miners is estimated to be up to ten times higher than in the general population. This is especially concerning given Namibia’s already high TB burden, particularly among individuals living with HIV, malnourished individuals, and those with habits like excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and Diabetes Mellitus.
“The key objectives of this workshop are to educate and train key population organizations on the generic four National Mine Health and Safety SOPs, develop advocacy plans for the Mine Health and Safety SOPs across mining organizations, and communicate the key strategies for the four MHS SOPs in mining organizations,” Nangombe explained.
To combat the high TB incidence in the mining sector, the ministry has taken significant measures. It established a subdivision for Occupational Health and works closely with the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation (MLIREC), and the Ministry of Mines and Energy to strengthen Namibia’s approach to tackling occupational diseases like TB in the mining sector.
The ministry has also set up a Multi-Stakeholder Committee for TB in the Mining Sector and actively participates in the Project on TB in the Mining Sector (TIMS III project). Launched on February 25, 2022, by the ECSA-HC, this project is another significant step towards addressing this pressing health issue.
Moreover, the ministry is in the process of developing a National Strategic Plan that addresses TB-related issues in the mining sector, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to tackling this problem. Through these initiatives, the ministry aims to significantly reduce TB incidence among mineworkers and ensure a safer working environment.- Namibia Daily News
