Day: June 13, 2023

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MoHSS to expand capacity of community health workers

In an effort to achieve universal health coverage, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is taking a new approach of capacitating and retraining community health workers to enable them to provide a portfolio of health services at community level.

Speaking at a recent media conference here, MoHSS Executive Director Ben Nangombe explained the ministry is currently working on a road map of capacitating health workers with a holistic approach of a range of health care services to enable the provision of primary health care beyond health facilities, irrespective of the distance between health facilities and communities.

Nangombe explained in the past community health workers were classified and only rendered limited specialised health services, such as in Tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and AIDS, family planning and adolescent health, immunisation and nutrition, noting the new approach aims to empower individual health workers with a wide range of health services to extend at community level.

“The new approach will enable a community health worker to advise the community whether it’s on TB, malaria and many health services and not be limited to only one health specialised service approach. That is what we are trying to do in order to get more value and mileage,” he noted.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes universal health coverage, as all people having access to the health services they need as well as when and where they need them – without financial hardship.

Namibia has been implementing a community health workers programme since 2012 with over 1 600 community health workers.

Nangombe further explained the ministry is having the challenge of resources due to budgetary constraints to recruit more community health workers to meet the desired results of universal health coverage, noting, however, it is an ongoing effort to recruit more.

Meanwhile, outgoing WHO Representative to Namibia, Charles Sagoe-Moses recently echoed that there is a need for Namibia to continue strengthening its health personnel capacity to ensure universal health coverage and primary health care.

Dr Sagoe-Moses during a courtesy visit to President Hage Geingob at State House last month said Namibia should invest in community health workers in efforts to provide universal health coverage so every Namibian has access to a full range of quality health services, without financial hardship.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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CAN suffers operational loss of N.dollars 260 000

For the fiscal year ended 28 February 2023, the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) has suffered an operational loss of N.dollars 262 718.

The shortfall is mostly due to the development of CAN’s new palliative care programme, which is now being implemented.

This was disclosed by CAN Chief Executive Officer, Rolf Hansen, in the company’s annual general report, which was availed to Nampa on Monday.

He stated that the creation of the palliative care programme is in line with CAN’s purpose of combating cancer and its repercussions in Namibia.

“Palliative care plays an important role in improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families, and it represents a considerable investment in individuals afflicted by the disease,” he said.

“CAN’s commitment to the long-term vision of developing a palliative care facility in the country for the benefit of Namibians, the preceding fiscal year had the most capital expenditure at N.dollars 7.3 million,” Hansen said.

Investment in new staff recruitment and development, as well as funding for the palliative care medical support programme, he says, underlines the organisation’s commitment to combating cancer and its consequences in Namibia.

Hansen stated that the association is still in a stable net financial position, showing that tight financial management and programme implementation have ensured CAN’s long-term viability.

He stated that the difficult economic situation, exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19, has resulted in increasing expenses and lower profit margins for CAN’s programmes.

It is natural that ticket prices for fundraising events cannot be raised to keep up with escalating costs. As a result, he believes that finding new ways to gather funds is critical in order to continue assisting Namibians impacted by cancer.

Hansen also stressed the importance of adapting to changing conditions and seeking novel techniques to fundraising, particularly during difficult times.

CAN will continue to give crucial assistance to individuals in need in Namibia by embracing new opportunities and maintaining committed to their purpose, he said.

“It remains truly remarkable to see the resilience and dedication of the Cancer Association of Namibia family in the face of numerous challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Our organisation has again demonstrated a commitment to inspire hope, activate change, and make a positive impact on the lives of Namibians affected by cancer,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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Race for Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off champion begins in Oshakati

Nedbank Namibia has announced that the preliminary round of the Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off will be held on Saturday in Oshakati.

The 2023 competition, which began in May, is expected to attract more than 150 kapana fans to demonstrate their kapana grilling skills.

Selma Kaulinge, Nedbank Namibia’s Manager for Communications and Public Relations, said in a media statement on Tuesday that the competition, now in its ninth year, will have three preliminary rounds in the northern, coastal, and central regions, with three finalists from each region chosen to compete in the final. The overall winner will walk away with a cash prize of N.dollars 10 000 as well as a fully furnished mobile food truck worth N.dollars 100 000.

Kaulinge said the competition holds significance especially in the northern region where it originated nine years ago.

“The Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off competition reminds us that success is not solely measured by the achievements but by the joy of collaborating, fostering unity and savouring the delightful tapestry of cultures that make our communities thrive. Through this competition we have provided a platform for informal traders to use their skills and stand a chance at winning themselves the grand prize which will enable them to start their own venture and contribute to their communities,” she said.

She added that the competition will continue with the coastal round in Walvis Bay on Saturday, 08 July, the central round in Windhoek on Saturday, 08 July, and the final slated for Saturday, 26 August at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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