The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that coronary heart disease deaths in Namibia reached 1 408 or 8.03% of total deaths, according to 2018 figures, ranking Namibia 79th in the world.
The WHO rankings state that heart disease is the third cause of death in the country, with HIV topping the list, followed by Covid-19, influenza and pneumonia, as of 3 March 2022. The Namibia Heart Foundation (NHF) is on a mission to create awareness on heart diseases and to ensure support for those with heart conditions.
“The burden of cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) is extremely high pn the African continent, including South Africa and Namibia,” said professor Pamela Naidoo, CEO of the South African Heart and Stroke Foundation.
She observed that it is important for the NHF to partner with professional societies and the national department of health to improve the health outcomes of all Namibians.
She said this at the foundation’s third annual heart health event titled Heart of Gold Fundraiser Breakfast recently.
The event, sponsored by the Capricorn Group, focused on bringing together health professionals, practitioners and service providers in the health industry and potential donors to raise funds for the NHF as well as raise awareness of heart disease and strokes.
The event saw valuable discussions emerging from the panellists of medical professionals on stage, who enlightened the guests with valuable information on heart diseases and sufferers. The panellists included Dr Henning du Toit (cardiothoracic surgeon: Roman Catholic Hospital), Dr Henry Boshoff (managing director: BRG Biokinetics) and Annalien Turner (registered dietitian: SmartHealth Namibia).
The NHF was established in March 2019 to educate Namibians on diverse heart-related diseases, and complement the good work of those who are dedicated to creating awareness of heart diseases and their associated risks.
NHF founder Gerhard de Koe said the foundation further aims to create an inclusive, safe and empowered community for individuals suffering from cardiac diseases and strokes by helping, guiding and supporting them and their families.
He added that although the medical and allied professions, government and private hospitals, medical aid and insurance sector and others do their utmost to educate Namibians on preventative and early diagnostic measures, much more needs to be done.
“The NHF is working to take hands with the Namibian community and all role-players to create a healthier and happier nation to ensure that our country advances in this regard,” stated De Koe.
Cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in Namibia, contributing up to 30% of the total deaths in the country. The executive director in the health ministry Ben Nangombe said Namibia has a high prevalence of congenital and rheumatic heart disease, with 40-60 children examined weekly in outpatient clinics.
He noted that the inpatient load is also significant, with new patients born with structural heart abnormalities in neonatal hospitals daily.
“Doctors and nurses conduct two to three outreach clinics to two hospitals in northern Namibia, Onandjokwe and Oshakati, because these areas are the most-affected due to their larger populations,” he shared.
Nangombe said: “In the last 15 years, Namibia has made great strides in successfully treating heart disease on a local level, and since its inception in 2008, the Windhoek Central Hospital’s Cardiac Unit has played an important role in this regard.”
Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula yesterday said cardiovascular conditions, diabetes mellitus and cancers are prevalent among the general population.
“Preliminary findings from the health system review indicate an increase in the number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases. Complications from non-communicable diseases place additional strain on the health system due to the chronic nature of non-communicable diseases,” he added.