Health

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Rural women struggle to access contraceptives
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Rural women struggle to access contraceptives

Mwamba*, a 32-year-old grandmother and mother of nine, said transportation money and long distances are some of the factors preventing rural women from accessing family planning.  “Some of the factors that prevent us from taking part in family planning is long distances to go to facilities to get an implant or any form of family...

Rössing invests in Erongo health
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Rössing invests in Erongo health

SWAKOPMUND – Healthcare in the Erongo region has received a much-needed boost after Rössing Uranium donated N$1.25 million to the health ministry this week. The donation will benefit Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Usakos hospitals, which have long struggled with ageing infrastructure and a lack of equipment. The funds are earmarked for security upgrades, essential machinery...

U.S. government provides emergency food support
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U.S. government provides emergency food support

Having a sickly infant and not knowing what the problem is, is the most daunting thing a parent can go through. Not having the ability to afford healthcare is an even bigger problem, according to Sophie (not her real name). The mother of a one-year-old is one of the beneficiaries of the food support by...

World tackles health crisis amid UHC
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World tackles health crisis amid UHC

Universal health coverage (UHC) is one of the World Health Organisation’s top priorities as it works towards equitable access to essential health services without people being exposed to financial hardship, says WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He added that shockingly, half the world’s population cannot access one or more essential health services. “While access...

NamBTS pleads for blood ahead of festive season
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NamBTS pleads for blood ahead of festive season

The holiday season poses two problems for the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NamBTS), one being fewer blood donors available to donate, as they go on holidays and travel, shop, and prepare for the upcoming festivities. The other challenge is that blood demand increases with motor vehicle accidents on the roads as people travel to...

New mpox vaccines for Congo’s children held up by the old problem
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New mpox vaccines for Congo’s children held up by the old problem

Jennifer Rigby Ange Kasongo Sonia Rolley LONDON/KINSHASA (Reuters)—Adults started getting vaccinations against mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital this week. But there were no shots available for children, the most vulnerable group after a key dose donation was held back by an old legal hurdle.  Japan pledged in September to donate three million...

Aiding the vulnerable and ensuring health safety
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Aiding the vulnerable and ensuring health safety

It is the first week of school for three of the Haingura sisters, and though they’re understandably apprehensive about their new environment, there’s a sense of renewed hope in the air.  Once dimmed by hardship, their dreams for the future are rekindled thanks to the support from the USAID/President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)-funded...

Nangombe: Public healthcare has 12% C-section rate
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Nangombe: Public healthcare has 12% C-section rate

Chelva Wells The Namibian public healthcare sector performs Caesarean sections (C-sections) for 12% of all births annually, contrasting sharply with the private sector’s 73%. This difference reflects varying practices and resources between the sectors. Executive director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services Ben Nangombe in an interview with Nampa on Tuesday stated that...

Food insecurity affects vulnerable populations … Japan pledges N$9.3m
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Food insecurity affects vulnerable populations … Japan pledges N$9.3m

Poverty eradication minister Doreen Sioka said malnutrition, food insecurity and inadequate healthcare are pressing issues that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. The current statistics show a bleak picture, which indicates 4 188 cases of malnutrition in children under five years old, as well as women diagnosed with anaemia in 2023.  “Despite our many strengths, there remains...

Govt constructs clinics to improve healthcare delivery
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Govt constructs clinics to improve healthcare delivery

The establishment of clinics is part of government’s drive to expand and improve access to healthcare services, and to demonstrate commitment to realising the goals of Universal Health Coverage, says health minister Kalumbi Shangula. The construction of health facilities such as the Malengalenga Clinic ensures that patients and clients do not walk long distances to...