ONGWEDIVA - The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Juliet Kavetuna has appealed to Opuwo residents to encourage patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimes in order to prolong life and prevent cases of drug resistance and fatalities.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Sesfontein Health Centre in the Kunene Region on Friday, Kavetuna said Opuwo district faces a serious challenge of HIV patients defaulting on their antiretroviral treatment while TB patients also shy away from follow-up treatment.
“I call upon the families, the guardians, partners and caretakers to encourage patients to take their medications and urge them to adhere to the treatment protocols – this is vital in not only prolonging life but also in preventing a serious drug resistance and avoiding unnecessary deaths as a result,” counselled the deputy health minister.
The health centre was upgraded from a clinic at a cost of N$13.3 million and it will also house staff members and thereby alleviate the acute housing shortage that affects tens of thousands of government employees.
The Director of Health in Kunene Region Tomas Shapumba said the health centre will serve 4,227 people in Sesfontein Constituency.
Also concerning the fact that Opuwo has a high maternal and neonatal mortality rate due to delayed health services, Kavetuna encouraged women to attend pre- and post-natal care to ensure their own safety and that of their born and unborn babies.
In addition, the deputy minister urged the public to rally behind the ministry to fight public diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB, hepatitis E and other preventable diseases.
“If we say it is the National Immunization Days, let us all participate and take our children for immunization against some of these diseases. We want a healthy nation, indeed a healthy future generation of tomorrow, our endeavours should gear towards improvement of quality of life of our people,” said the deputy minister.
Other health facilities commissioned this year include the Angelika Kazetjindire Muharukua maternity waiting home in Opuwo and the Seringkop clinic in Outjo.