WINDHOEK, June 25 — Namibia has officially launched the first national Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) technical guidelines to enhance the country’s ability to detect and respond to public health threats, including those intensified by climate change.

The guidelines, developed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services with support from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization, and other partners, provide a structured approach for early detection, triage, and risk assessment of potential disease outbreaks.

Speaking at the launch in the Namibian capital of Windhoek on Monday night, Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said the new surveillance system is a timely intervention as the country faces rising risks of communicable diseases such as malaria and cholera, which are increasingly influenced by climate-related factors.

Climate change acts as a threat multiplier. It is shifting disease transmission patterns and increasing the likelihood of outbreaks, Luvindao said, adding that this guideline is part of the country’s national efforts to build a resilient and responsive public health system.

The minister said the event-based surveillance system collects and analyzes information from diverse sources, including communities, the media, and healthcare workers, to detect unusual health events in real time.

It complements traditional indicator-based surveillance and is designed to support rapid public health response, she added.

According to the ministry, the guideline aligns with the International Health Regulations (2005) and the Africa CDC’s 2018 framework for EBS implementation and is also integrated into Namibia‘s broader One Health strategy, which connects human, animal, and environmental health surveillance.

Namibia is currently experiencing outbreaks of malaria and cholera, with climate variability contributing to the spread and intensity of these diseases.

The ministry added that the launch of the EBS guideline is part of its long-term strategy to reduce the impact of future outbreaks. (Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, June 25 — Namibia has made substantial strides in improving access to essential medicines and strengthening its pharmaceutical supply chain, Minister of Health and Social Services Esperance Luvindao revealed Tuesday.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual National Pharmaceutical Services Forum in Windhoek, the country’s capital, Luvindao highlighted key achievements over the past year.

These include reaching 83 percent availability of essential items in public facilities, a figure derived from the Pharmaceutical Management Information System.

“This improvement reflects the sustained efforts made across various levels. The Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services implemented multiple sourcing strategies, initiated the process of securing long-term contracts, and obtained direct procurement approvals for priority items where necessary,” she said.

According to Luvindao, in a landmark public health move, the health ministry procured the human papillomavirus vaccine for the public sector, a first for Namibia.

“The rollout of this vaccine signals a major step forward in the fight against cervical cancer and reflects our broader commitment to preventive care and the health of adolescent girls and young women,” she added.

Luvindao highlighted the ministry’s efforts to strengthen pharmaceutical information systems at the facility level, aimed at developing more accurate procurement plans and reducing wastage from overstocking and expiries.

Furthermore, she said the Central Medical Stores reported a 70.13 percent stock level as of June 2025, an improvement from previous years.

Despite these advancements, Luvindao raised concerns about persistent internal supply chain inefficiencies leading to “self-created shortages” at health facilities, emphasizing the urgent need to accelerate reforms for a more effective information management system linking regions, facilities, and the Central Medical Stores.

WINDHOEK, June 24  — A new suspected cholera case has been reported in Namibia‘s northwestern Kunene Region, while the number of confirmed cases has risen to six, the Ministry of Health and Social Services said Tuesday. According to the ministry, the latest case involves a 13-year-old boy from the Orokapare location in Opuwo town.

The patient, who presented with acute watery diarrhea and severe abdominal pain, had no known contact with previously confirmed cases and is currently in stable condition. The ministry also confirmed that a patient admitted on June 20 has been discharged from hospital.

A follow-up with the patient’s household indicated that all family members are in good health, it added. According to the statement, Namibia has recorded six laboratory-confirmed cholera cases and one epidemiologically linked case while two suspected cases were tested negative and discarded.

This update came after the ministry’s declaration of a cholera outbreak in the Kunene Region on June 19, with eight suspected cases reported, two of which were laboratory-confirmed.

In the statement, the ministry further confirmed that three SURGE staff have been sent to the affected area with support from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The team includes two experts in risk communication and community engagement and one in water, sanitation, and hygiene.

SURGE, which stands for Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies, is WHO’s emergency support program for rapid personnel deployment during outbreaks. (Xinhua)