Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, has urged Namibians to protect themselves by getting tested for COVID-19 and to ensure that they get vaccinated.

Briefing Nampa on the current COVID-19 status, Shangula said the situation is being monitored and is stable, although there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Shangula, says Namibia has seen an upsurge in cases over the last seven days, especially in the Khomas Region, where an average of five cases per day have been recorded.

Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services, says his ministry will continue to work to improve healthcare services in both urban and rural areas.

Dr. Shangula told nbc News at his homestead in Etilyasa village in the Omusati Region that expanding services is critical to the ministry in order to ensure inclusive health services.

However, Dr. Shangula was quick to point out that the government's efforts alone will not achieve a healthy society and require a collective undertaking with other stakeholders.

Although the government has made good progress in managing the spread of HIV/AIDS, new infections or defaults on treatment are still a concern.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, says Namibia can only eliminate HIV/AIDS by reaching the global targets of 95% HIV testing, treatment, and viral suppression.

This means that of those who test positive, 95% must be initiated on treatment, and 95% of those initiated on treatment must be virally suppressed to an undetectable level.

Namibia's Health and Social Services Minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, says his ministry means to take healthcare services closer to rural communities through tailored resources.

In the Ohangwena Region, Dr Kalumbi Shangula opened a comprehensive community-based health-service facility near the Oshikango border.

For too long, people at the Oshikango border crossing received healthcare treatment under trees.

However, this is now something of the past, following the opening of this comprehensive community-based health-service facility.

Donors and volunteers in the community of Omatjete settlement in the Erongo Region have completed renovations of a health center.

Dr Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services, has praised the community's charitable spirit as it improves service delivery.

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the community of Omatjete realized the need to strengthen public health care as the clinic was overloaded.

Traditional leaders and the Omatjete Initiative Committee mobilized community members and relatives from abroad to donate money and their services.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, says the government has never stopped its surveillance activities to track COVID-19 in the country. 

This comes in response to a question from LPM National Assembly member Henny Seibeb, who stated that he received a text message from a medical doctor about the resurgence and prevalence of COVID-19 in Namibia. 

The residents of Otjimanangombe Village in the Epukiro Constituency in Omaheke now have a fully furnished ambulance, donated by the Catherine Bullen Foundation.

The ambulance is valued at N$1 million.

The ambulance was handed over to Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services says the rise in pregnancy and early marriage as well as HIV infections among adolescent girls is a cause for concern.

The rate of teenage pregnancies nationally stands at 14.95%, translating to more than 15 thousand pregnancies per year. 

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, revealed the dilemma of teenage pregnancies at the handover of reproductive health kits and contraceptives worth N$200 million.

Namibia has reported 790 suicides from January 2021 to July this year.

The statistics were revealed by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, at the recent Speak Out-Seek Help Mental Health Awareness Music Festival.

Those in the creative arts industry are the voices of the voiceless. Shangula said, encouraging artists and musicians to continue advocating for mental health.