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.

Dr. Luvindao formally declared the end of the recent cholera outbreak in Opuwo District and malaria in some regions.

"With regard to the dedicated work of our healthcare workers, the support from the community, the volunteered deployment of rapid diagnostic testing, and with partners such as the NIP, as we have stated, intense targeted risk communication and community engagement activities, environmental assessment and focus investigations conducted in hotspots, we also were able to do indoor residual spraying."

Since the announcement of the malaria outbreak last year in December, more than 95 thousand cases have been reported with 154 deaths recorded, while one person died from cholera.

Dr. Luvindao urged the public to adhere to preventative measures and seek immediate help when experiencing symptoms.

"Even as we celebrate the end of these outbreaks, it is important for us to highlight simultaneously, as the Executive Director mentioned, that we are still at risk of these outbreaks. And what does this mean? This means that for the issues, the struggles that we face, and the resistance we faced along the way, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is trying our best, and we pride ourselves on the fact that we are not reactive. So we must be preventative, and part of the prevention strategy is the indoor residual spraying. But in order for this to be successful, we need the support of the community members, we need the support of local leaders, and we need the support of those that have a voice in the communities that."

The ministry and stakeholders will continue to strengthen malaria surveillance and enhance community.