Namibia's former Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Richard Kamwi, has been elected President of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) Executive Council.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted Namibia's efforts to strengthen public health responses, focusing on the country's intensified fight against a malaria surge and its continued leadership in tobacco control across Africa.

As malaria continues to pose a health concern in some parts of the country, a former Japanese volunteer, Kumi Ono, has made it her mission to stand with communities in the Zambezi Region in the fight against the disease. 

Kavango East Region recorded over 23,300 cases of malaria, with 23 deaths.

This was shared during the launch of the indoor residual spray at Popa Malaria Camp in the Andara district.

The Minister of Health and Social Services Esperance Luvindao announced the end of the cholera and malaria outbreak following a thorough epidemiological assessment and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines.

Collaboration was highlighted as essential to achieving a malaria-free Namibia during the World Malaria Day commemoration and the launch of the indoor residual spraying campaign in Sibbinda Constituency.

The Ohangwena Region has recorded 3,768 cases of malaria and 11 deaths since the outbreak last year.

Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said the region experienced a malaria outbreak at the beginning of 2024, which lasted into this year.

The Minister of Health and Social Services emphasized the need for the ministry to be proactive in responding to health challenges experienced in the country.

Dr. Esperance Luvindao was speaking at the launch of the National Event-Based Surveillance Guidelines in Windhoek.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services says as of January this year to 14 April , Rundu in the Kavango East Region has reported 10 deaths out of 2,092 malaria confirmed cases.

The Minister of Health and Social Services has urged residents in regions affected by a malaria outbreak to do their part in protecting themselves while the ministry and its partners intensify efforts to contain the outbreak.