Namibia has not seen any cholera cases in the last ten years, as reported by Health Ministry Executive Director Ben Nangombe. He advised that the threat remains due to climate change and ongoing outbreaks in Africa. The country has implemented several health safety policies and collaborated with WHO to strengthen its cholera preparedness strategies. Continuous investment in health infrastructure is essential to maintain this cholera-free status.
In a recent statement, Namibia’s Health Ministry Executive Director Ben Nangombe revealed that the country has not recorded any cholera cases in over a decade. This update was delivered during a cholera elimination validation workshop, highlighting an important milestone in the nation’s public health efforts. Despite this success, Nangombe cautioned that the risk of cholera remains due to ongoing threats from climate change impacting waterborne disease prevalence.
Nangombe emphasized that complacency poses the greatest risk to maintaining this cholera-free status. He pointed out that while Namibia has been free of cases, cholera outbreaks are still reported in 18 African countries, particularly severe incidents occurring in Burundi, Ghana, and Zimbabwe among others. Additionally, neighbouring Angola has issued cholera alerts, stressing concerns regarding possible cross-border transmission.
The health executive identified climate change as a major contributing factor to cholera threats, noting that extreme weather events have severely disrupted water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure throughout Africa. Examples include droughts in Zambia due to the El Niño phenomenon and heavy floods affecting Kenya and Tanzania in 2024.
To combat public health threats, Namibia has instituted several strategies, including the National Action Plan for Health Security and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Technical Guidelines. The implementation of the National Multi-Hazard Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Plan further aligns with international health regulations, reflecting a commitment to public health safety.
Nangombe underscored the importance of ongoing investment in essential infrastructure, disease surveillance, and community engagement to mitigate the cholera threat. The recent workshop, facilitated by WHO experts, aims to identify vulnerable areas and strengthen the nation’s preparedness and response to potential outbreaks, involving various stakeholders from the government and UNICEF.
In speaking to participants, Nangombe stressed that collaborative insights will result in a robust plan to address potential outbreaks and reinforce all regions against cholera threats. He urged careful validation of vulnerability factors to ensure a science-backed national plan.
WHO representative Richard Banda noted the historical context of cholera treatment and the organization’s commitment to addressing the disease with effective tools developed over the years. Banda highlighted that cholera deaths are preventable with existing resources and expressed confidence that the workshop would effectively advance Namibia’s cholera control strategies. Additionally, he reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting emergency preparedness through collaboration across various teams and stakeholders.
Overall, Namibia has successfully maintained a cholera-free status for over a decade, thanks to proactive public health measures and investments in infrastructure. Nevertheless, the risk remains due to climate change and regional cholera outbreaks. Stakeholder collaboration and continuous vigilance are essential to uphold this achievement and ensure Namibia remains prepared against potential public health threats.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
