Namibia has not recorded cholera cases for over a decade, according to Health Ministry Executive Director Ben Nangombe. Climate change poses an ongoing risk of cholera outbreaks across Africa. The World Health Organization reported cholera cases in 18 African countries in 2024, with extreme weather events disrupting sanitation infrastructure. Namibia’s health policies aim to prevent cholera, emphasizing the need for continued investment and community engagement.
The Health Ministry’s Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, announced there have been no recorded cholera cases in Namibia for over a decade. Speaking at a cholera elimination validation workshop, he underscored that the cholera threat persists due to factors like climate change, which can exacerbate outbreaks throughout Africa. “The risk persists, and complacency is our greatest adversary,” he stated, noting the continued vulnerability to waterborne diseases.
In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported cholera outbreaks in 18 African nations, including severe instances in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Malawi, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe. Moreover, neighboring Angola has issued recent cholera alerts, potentially increasing the risk of cross-border transmission. Nangombe emphasized that extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, have hindered essential water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, further escalating the risk of cholera.
He described the impact of the El Niño phenomenon in 2024, leading to droughts in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and severe flooding in Kenya and Tanzania, worsened by Tropical Cyclone Chido in Comoros, Malawi, and Mozambique. In response, Namibia has enacted various policies to address public health hazards, including the National Action Plan for Health Security and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Technical Guidelines, along with the National Multi-Hazard Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Plan.
Nangombe asserted that these initiatives have played a significant role in maintaining Namibia’s cholera-free status, yet continuous investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, alongside robust disease surveillance and community engagement, are essential. He noted the ongoing three-day workshop, facilitated by WHO experts, aimed at identifying high-risk areas to enhance Namibia’s preparedness and response strategies, involving multiple ministries and organizations.
During the workshop, Nangombe articulated, “Through collaborative efforts and strategic insights, we can craft a plan that targets hotspot areas of potential outbreaks,” and he called for stakeholders to validate vulnerability factors identified by health districts, ensuring a scientifically sound national action plan. Richard Banda, WHO representative to Namibia, reflected on the historical context of cholera, highlighting the need for ongoing commitment to cholera eradication.
Banda stated, “Since the first pandemic recorded in the 19th century, cholera has claimed millions of lives worldwide. Every death from cholera is preventable with the tools we have today.” He reiterated WHO’s ongoing dedication to support emergency preparedness efforts alongside local teams and stakeholders to successfully combat this public health threat.
In conclusion, while Namibia has successfully maintained a decade without cholera cases, the omnipresent threat requires ongoing vigilance and proactive measures. The concerted efforts across various ministries and organizations highlight a commitment to enhance public health infrastructure and community engagement. Investing in disease prevention strategies will be critical to safeguarding public health in Namibia and protecting against potential future outbreaks due to climate-induced challenges.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
