Lüderitz
The growing population of the //Kharas Region that presently stands at around 80 000 poses challenges concerning health provision.
This was revealed recently by Dr Davies Nkalamo, a senior doctor from Lüderitz state hospital, when he presented a health overview of the //Kharas region.
He noted activities being undertaken to improve public health and these included HIV counselling and testing and patient support.
The population of //Kharas Region comprises Lüderitz (22 737), Keetmanshoop (37 689), Karasburg (19 072) and managing healthcare effectively remains a huge priority. The report indicates that if corrective action is taken, there is great potential in areas such as minimising the spread of HIV.
The report shows that in Lüderitz, the HIV prevalence rate decreased from 22 percent in 2012 to 20.9 percent in 2014. This, however, is still higher than the national rate for Namibia, which stood at 18.2 percent in 2012 and 16.9 percent in 2014.
//Kharas as a whole has seen an increase in HIV prevalence with 16.4 percent and 17.0 percent in 2012 and 2014, respectively.
The focus is on medicating HIV and pregnant women to ensure that their babies are HIV-negative, which is an impressive result.
Condom distribution is also being increased in efforts to minimise the spread of HIV, but usage of female condom (femidom) is too low.
There are many challenges facing the region, Nkalamo encouraged particularly couples to go together for regular health check-ups.
In terms of success of treatment for TB, the report says //Kharas improved from 87 percent in 2013 to 94 percent in 2014 slightly lower than the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of 95 percent.
He also stated that alcohol abuse and food insecurity are hampering adherence to TB treatment, therefore Dr Nkalamo has appealed to patients to slow down on alcohol intake.