Limited resources and poverty among people in rural areas are hampering efforts to end the spread of HIV/AIDS in Namibia.

This was said by the Acting Director of Health and Social Services in Kavango East Region Woita Kapumburu at the World AIDS Day Commemoration at Rundu.

Kapumburu says, despite improvements in combating the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is still faced with challenges in achieving the dream of ending HIV and AIDS.

"Some factors are poor health-seeking behavior by males, we have got a challenge of social economic factors whereby people struggle to put food on the table affecting their routine of taking their medication on an empty stomach, and then we have challenges of our communities not having the financial means for them to access health facilities."

Kapumburu also stressed the fight against the spread of the pandemic can only be achieved with support from the community.

On his part Kavango East Governor, Bonifatius Wakundumo encouraged the community members to continue supporting the ministry in the fight against HIV and AIDS.  

"As we commemorate World AIDS Day, I advocate for the communities to continually support the fight against and elimination of HIV and AIDS, to end this deadly disease will require greater community involvement and good partnership. Let us all unite and address the inequality that hampers the care treatment and support of people living with HIV and as well as privation services for the community a strengthened community demonstrates resilient agility and innovations."

At the same event, the governor launched 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.