Category: Medical

The University of Namibia’s psychology and social work department in partnership with the Regain Trust on Friday commemorated World Mental Health Day under the theme ‘Leaving no one behind.”

Speaking during the event, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative Gift Malunga urged Namibians to dismantle the walls of silence and stigma around mental health and instead build bridges of empathy and support.

Malunga said status of health refers to the overall state of well-being condition of an individual or a group of people, including its physical, mental, and social aspects.

She said mental health is closely tied to sustainable development goals, particularly Goal 3 on good health and well-being and Goal 5 on gender equality.

“Mental health is often overlooked and stigmatised, impacting not only individuals but also families, communities, and society at large. By gathering here today, we send a powerful message that mental health deserves our utmost attention. Nearly one billion people live with mental health conditions, yet it remains one of the most neglected aspects of healthcare. You are defined by your strength and humanity, not your conditions, and we stand in solidarity with you,” Malunga said.

Mulunga said the event was special because it unites a diverse group, including forensic and general psychiatric patients, professional, and students who represent the future of mental health care.

“To the social work students, you are the future of mental health care. Your dedication inspires us, and your role in providing support and compassion will shape a brighter future for those facing mental health challenges,” she added.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The fourth National Adolescent and Youth Health (AYH) Forum kicked off today in Addis Ababa.

The three-day forum is held under the theme “The Power of Partnership: Meaningful Adolescent and Youth Engagement for improved health”.

In Ethiopia, the population of adolescents and youth (aged 10-24 years) is significant, making up a large portion of the total population.

According to the United Nations, as of 2021, there were approximately 32 million adolescents and youth in Ethiopia.

Thus, maintaining the health and well-being of young people is key strategy to produce healthy and productive citizens who can transform the overall economic and social development of the country.

The forum is aimed at increasing the level of meaningful adolescent and youth engagement in health programing, empowering adolescents and youth to make informed decision, ensuring access to quality, and equitable healthcare services.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Cameroon joined the international community to observe the 17th world rabies day on Thursday September 28, 2023 under the theme: “All for 1, One Health for all”.

It is a day that aims to raise awareness and advocate for rabies elimination globally.

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease that affects the central nervous system. Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100% fatal. In up to 99% of cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans.

Reason why an awareness campaign is necessary for its total elimination as told us by Mr Raymond NDUMBI, Babadjou subdivisional delegate of livestock, fisheries and animal industries.

” To totally wipe out rabies in our communities, people have to know that our domestic animals like dogs and cats are our good friends and need to take total care about them including their health. Do not let them move anyhow. Avoid isolated dogs also. Because they might be contaminated with rabies” says the senior veterinary officer.

“To effectively prevent the disease from our localities, let’s vaccinate our animals and free of charge in various subdivisions” he adds

Rabies can affect both domestic and wild animals. It spreads to people and animals via saliva, usually through bites, scratches or direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes, mouth or open wounds). Children between the age of 5 and 14 years are frequent victims.

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, rabies causes about 59,000 deaths worldwide per year, about 40% of which are in children under the age of 15.

More than 95% of human deaths from rabies occur in Africa and Asia.

Rabies is present in more than 150 countries and more than 3 billion people live in regions of the world where rabies occurs.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Former Prime Minister Nahas Angula has stated that about 10 478 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) were recorded between the years 2020 and 2022 as indicated by local newspapers and statistics.

Angula at the official opening of the Readathon Week on Monday at Oniipa said GBV cases are reported almost every day, adding that women and girls are at an alarming risk of violence in almost every space.

“One in three girls/women experience and are still exposed to GBV throughout their life cycles, whether at home, school, online, or in the communities they live in,” Angula stated.

The former Namibian prime minister noted that this year’s Readathon Week is observed under the theme ‘Read Namibia: Take Action to Stop Gender-Based Violence’ in order to educate learners on what actions to take in order to stop GBV in Namibia.

“GBV is a human rights issue of endemic proportions in Namibia affecting both men and women. It is however reported that women and girls are at an alarming risk of violence in almost every space,” reiterated Angula.

He said that in Namibia and around the world, GBV shatters lives, stifles potential, and perpetuates cycles of suffering “and as readers and thinkers, we possess a unique tool to address this issue head-on”.

Readathon Week celebration is organised by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC), through the Directorate of Namibia Library and Archives Service from 25 to 29 September 2023.

The Chief Education Officer of Life-Long Learning, Shikongo Tomas stated that to take action against GBV, “we must go beyond the pages and apply the wisdom we gain to our lives and let us challenge toxic masculinity, dismantle gender stereotypes, and champion respect and equality”.

“Let us acknowledge and celebrate the indispensable role of libraries by utilising them as invaluable institutions as sources of knowledge, empowerment, and inspiration as we work towards a world where every individual can thrive, free from violence and fear,” Tomas said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

A project aimed at preventing communicable diseases before they occur in Ethiopia has been launched today.

The project dubbed ‘Epi Gen Ethiopia’ will be implemented in Ethiopia over the coming five years with a cost of 4 million euros obtained from the European Union (EU).

Ethiopian Public Health Institute Deputy General Director, Getachew Tolera said the project is expected to help strengthen research capabilities of the country in addition to preventing communicable diseases.

The establishment of international standard laboratories and training of more than 15 professionals with PHD are parts of the project, he added.

Noting that the country used to send samples abroad to test new cases of diseases, the deputy director said the project is also very important for it will enable Ethiopia to conduct such laboratory tests inside the country.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Residents of Kunene, particularly young people, suffer from mental illness, and the region lacks the resources needed to implement an effective mental health strategy, relying instead on the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital.

This was said by Daniel Kaveta, a community liaison officer in the Department of Disability Affairs of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, in an interview with Nampa on Monday.

Kaveta stated that even though the region is making every effort to provide for mental patients, including counselling, there are still not enough facilities to handle the rising population in need of help.

According to him, the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, which now accepts 2000 inpatients and cares for 15 000 outpatients in its mental department each year, is under immense pressure as a result of the situation at other Kunene healthcare facilities.

There are 140 beds in total at the Oshakati ward, housing 58 female and 82 male patients, he said, stressing that more family members and guardians are now registering mental patients owing to the ministry’s various community engagement initiatives, as opposed to the past when they used to keep them in captivity and bondage out of fear of being stigmatised.

“Our people have now advanced through these engagements unlike in the past when they used to think that every mental problem was because of witchcraft. Back then, mental patients used to be kept in captivity like animals, some even went to the extent of physically restraining their loved ones by chaining them, but through our educational initiatives, they have stopped,” he noted.

Meanwhile, during a media conference here last week, Kaveta said traditional drinks like ‘okandjembo’ and excessive drug usage among young people are two major contributors to the region’s mental health issues.

“Mental health issues in young people frequently coexist with additional health and behavioural hazards, such as a higher risk of drug use and alcohol consumption, particularly with traditional home-brewed drinks. This drink is quite affordable, and most people can afford it and it quickly gets addictive,” he said.

Kaveta did not provide information on the number of patients the regional healthcare facilities see, but indicated that more than 10 patients are registered at the various facilities each month.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) on Saturday announced that it has cleared two out of four blocks of the nurses’ homes at the central hospital in preparation for building renovations.

This follows the ministry’s previous statement that it would carry out general repairs on the nurses’ home and doctor’s quarters, as these buildings have been reported to be in a dilapidated state in recent years.

During an interview with Nampa at the National Clean-Up Campaign (NCUC) in the Khomas region on Saturday, MoHSS Deputy Director of General Services at Windhoek Central Hospital, Mercia Tjavara, emphasised that aside from health considerations, the campaign is aimed at promoting Namibia to become the cleanest country in Africa and worldwide.

‘I am honoured and grateful to participate in the NCUC, as it is everyone’s social responsibility to keep the nation clean. We come from an African background that teaches us to clean up after our mess, thus discouraging littering,’ Tjavara said.

At the same event, Nasilimwe Lubinda, a general cleaner at MoHSS, expressed her satisfaction with her role in setting an example for the nation regarding cleanliness, stating that Namibia belongs to all of us.

Lubinda pointed out that some of the cleanliness issues at the health facility are exacerbated by the nurses’ home residents, who allegedly litter outside their windows and balconies, as they are not monitored, leading to their ignorance about the environment. Furthermore, it is alleged that residents of the two remaining nurses’ blocks did not participate in maintaining the cleanliness of their surroundings, even after being informed about the NCUC by the Ministry.

Womba Nashiwaya, a member of the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, expressed her regret that not all Namibians participate in cleaning campaigns like these and emphasised that, as a Christian, it is her responsibility to keep God’s creation as clean as possible.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency