Namibia is still among the countries that are committed to ending AIDS by 2030.
This ambitious goal is being strengthened at a two-day workshop focused on the Sustainability Roadmap and the National Operational Plan, which will outline a comprehensive pathway towards sustained epidemic control of HIV, TB, malaria, and hepatitis.
The Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, reiterated that Namibia has made commendable progress in curbing the spread of infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
"We have witnessed significant forward movement in achieving the goals articulated in the National Strategic Framework, thanks in large part to the invaluable support by our Development Cooperation Partners and the active role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). The data and figures towards Namibia's achievements of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 fast-tracked targets for HIV are well known to all of you. As of 2022 in Namibia, 94% of HIV-positive individuals know their status, 97% of them are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 93% have reached viral suppression (94-97-93)."
The National Operational Plan and Sustainability Roadmap are seen as critical in the final push to eradicate AIDS and other diseases as public health threats by 2030.
The Sustainability Roadmap and National Operational Plan will be launched during this year's World AIDS Day commemoration on the 1st of December.
"This is the last mile, and we dare not relent. We will not falter. Not now, when we have achieved so much. Let us maintain the momentum and deliver a solid NOP and a comprehensive sustainability framework to operationalise our NSF for HIV, TB, malaria, and hepatitis."
PEPFAR Representative Cheryl Amoroso discussed the funding perspective of PEPFAR as a donor.
"From a PEPFAR perspective, we need to already embrace change to together understand the transformation of HIV programming in line with this developing vision that the country has for its future health system, not just from an HIV perspective but holistically. From a donor viewpoint, we are ready to adapt our investments to help realise this developing vision, which is why today and tomorrow are so important. We will use this roadmap to guide our investment. The Namibia PEPFAR investments have already started making shifts better aligned with the future vision that is already developing, and the clarity that we will have on this documentation will continue to support that transition."