The United States government is proud to be Namibia’s partner in health over the last 20 years and is committed to continuing this partnership, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Windhoek Jessica Long has said.
Speaking during a tree-planting event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Namibia on 2 November 2022, she said planting a tree is a symbol of what they do in government, in public health, and in their lives.
“We are called to live lives of service, to grow deep roots that will help us weather together hard seasons of drought, or Covid-19, or HIV. CDC Namibia works hand-in-hand with the Namibian government to strengthen the provision of healthcare in Namibia. This work, with its deep roots, is overflowing with achievements, successes and hope,” added Long.
In the last 20 years, the work of CDC Namibia has centred on addressing the TB and HIV epidemic, supporting the health ministry, the Namibia Institute of Pathology, and civil society partners to prevent new infections, reduce deaths and provide the best care for people with these infections.
“But our support has gone much further than HIV and TB. CDC’s work has helped strengthen systems and structures for the broader public health system. For example, CDC has also supported Namibia on many other disease outbreaks, both human and animal, including anthrax, monkeypox, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis E and Covid-19, to name just a few,” she noted.
Long added that through working with the Namibian government, CDC has put science into action to help children stay healthy; to help families, businesses,and communities fight disease; and protect everyone’s health.
CDC established an office in Namibia in 2002, with satellite offices to implement focused HIV programmes in high-burden regions. CDC collaborates with the health ministry to build the capacity of Namibia’s healthcare workforce and systems to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats, with a primary focus on ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic and maintaining the care and treatment of those living with HIV.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Brian Baker, the CDC Namibia country director, said: “Together, we have achieved so much. We have prevented new HIV and TB infections, and we have saved lives. Together, we confront global disease threats and tackle the world’s biggest health problems”.