As part of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Day in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is having a major health and economic impact across the globe, the UN praised the Namibian government for its decisive and unprecedented action in containing the spread of the virus.
UN Resident Coordinator Sen Pang on Saturday said this would not have been possible without the thousands of dedicated men and women within the medical field across Namibia.
To date the spread of Covid-19 has already upended countless lives, battered economies and caused immense human suffering including sudden loss of many productive lives, in a very short period of time, Pang said.
Globally the Covid-19 pandemic has affected over 36 million people with more than one million deaths.
Namibia has recorded more than 12 263 Covid-19 confirmed cases, 10 419 (85.0%) recoveries, and 131 deaths as of 16 October 2020 with 483 health care workers (3.94%) infected with Covid-19 in the country.
Pang stressed the high number of recoveries at 85% is a testimony to the dedication, commitment and hard work of the men and women on the frontline to save lives.
“It is our collective responsibility to support and protect the women and men working on the frontline. Allow me to express my gratitude and to honour the heroic efforts of all frontline personnel in the health sector as well as all other frontline workers. Thank you – for the sacrifices you all make, every day, and especially during this pandemic,” Pang thanked the frontliners.
According to him, it is important to recognise that women and men in the frontline are the most exposed to the virus; the mental and psychosocial stress related to the fear of contracting the virus weighs heavily on the individual and the broader family.
“Your dedication and courage deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration. Your service to patients is saving countless lives and making a difference to thousands more.”
And as the coronavirus is keeping the world in suspense, Pang encouraged the general public to take responsibility to reduce personal risk of transmission by adhering to all preventive public health measures; to protect their loved ones, the most vulnerable in society, and to lighten the burden on the doctors, nurses, technicians, support staff, and first responders.
Thus, he reminded everyone to continue washing hands, social distancing, and wearing masks.
– anakale@nepc.com.na