Africa has a shortage of 5.3 million health workers. 

This was revealed by the Communication Officer of the World Health Organisation's Africa Regional Office, Marie France Uwase, at a media briefing on the preparations for the upcoming First Africa Health Workforce Investment Forum next week.

The African region is said to have made modest progress in health workforce development and service coverage over the last two decades.

Statistics indicate that the number of health workers has increased from 1.5 million in 2005 to about 3.6 million in 2018. 

Cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination and cured if diagnosed early. Yet it still kills more than 300,000 women worldwide each year.

Globally, only around 21% of women have had a vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes the disease.

In 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) set targets to vaccinate 90% of girls, screen 70% of women, and treat 90% of cervical diseases, aiming to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.

A survey to determine the prevalence of trachoma, scabies, Guinea worm disease, and other selected neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in northern Namibia has begun.

The Kavango East and West and the Zambezi regions carry the highest burden of these diseases.

Namibia has identified eight NTDs, namely schistosomiasis, leprosy, rabies, trachoma, scabies, snakebite, and soil-transmitted helminths.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is empowering social workers with coping skills to combat tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy diseases in Namibia. 

The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Utjiua Muinjangue, who officially opened the training, highlighted the stigma and discrimination associated with TB and leprosy.

Therefore, this initiative to involve social workers is instrumental in addressing these societal challenges.

Statistics provided by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) indicate that 31% of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 are already smoking, while about 50% are exposed to secondhand smoking.

It is further estimated that 20% of men and five percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 consume tobacco in Namibia.

What is also concerning is smoking and secondhand smoke exposure among children.

People who are exposed to secondhand smoke can suffer the same consequences as those who smoke.

Health and Social Services Minister Dr. Kalumbi Shangula says his ministry is ready to extend its services to those in need, as suicide statistics over the past year paint a grim picture of depression in Namibia.

The number of deaths by suicide and suicide attempts is on the rise.

Of the 623 cases recorded over the past year, including teens and minors, 82% are male.

Dr. Shangula says the rising suicide rate can, to a large extent, be explained by untreated mental health conditions.

Namibia needs to do more in order to achieve the World Health Organisation's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) target of over 80% by 2030.

This is despite notable progress made in the health sector.

Namibia is ranked between 65% and 70% on the WHO UHC Index, an indication that the country is making progress in achieving universal health coverage.

Last year, Cabinet also approved the Universal Health Coverage Policy Framework to provide Namibians with improved and equitable access to quality healthcare services.