Namibia has launched the National Multi-Hazard Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (2024) to tackle increasing risks from biological, technological, societal, and environmental hazards. The plan builds on previous risk assessments and outlines strategies for emergency preparedness, reinforcing the need for collaborative action to safeguard public health and improve resilience against disasters.
Namibia is increasingly at risk from various biological, technological, societal, and environmental hazards, necessitating a proactive approach to emergency preparedness. The newly introduced National Multi-Hazard Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (2024) aims to address these challenges, protecting lives and safeguarding the economy, infrastructure, and environment.
The plan is informed by a comprehensive risk assessment conducted in 2021 using the WHO’s Strategic Tool for Assessing Risk (Star). Historical assessments from 2017 and 2019 also corroborated similar findings, emphasizing the need for readiness against potential disasters.
Identified biological hazards include cholera, Ebola, Covid-19, rabies, hepatitis E, and others, while natural threats encompass earthquakes, droughts, flash floods, and wildfires. The plan also recognizes technological and societal risks such as mine accidents and sewage spills, highlighting a wide array of challenges.
To implement the plan, the Ministry of Health and Social Services will collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen disease surveillance, enhance emergency infrastructure, and raise public awareness. Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula emphasizes the plan’s importance for public health, urging all sectors to contribute actively.
This initiative responds to concerns regarding climate change, urbanization, and economic challenges that have intensified disaster risks. Namibia’s previous public health crises, including outbreaks of hepatitis E and the impact of Covid-19, reflect the urgency of enhancing health resilience against these ongoing threats.
Namibia’s National Multi-Hazard Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (2024) is essential for addressing growing disaster risks. By identifying and planning for various biological, natural, technological, and societal hazards, the plan aims to protect public health and enhance resilience against future emergencies. The collaborative efforts required for implementation underscore the importance of community involvement in fostering national safety and security.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
