Individuals urged not to spread HIV intentionally

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An Oshana Region-based AIDS activist went public about her HIV status 21 years ago and has since not looked back, advocating to end stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

The mother of four and grandmother of ten, Anita Isaacks, who is currently a resident of Olupumbi Village, discovered her HIV status at the age of 37 in 1996.
 
She had gone for a job interview at Oshakati, and providing her HIV status was one of the requirements.

Namibia satisfied with progress made in fight against HIV and AIDS

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Namibia has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, coming very close to meeting the 95-95-95 testing, treatment, and viral suppression targets of UNAIDS.

In Namibia, 95% of all adults 15 to 49 years old are aware of their HIV status, of whom 97% are accessing treatment, and 94% of these have suppressed their viral loads.

Minister in the Presidency Christine ||Hoëbes says Namibia proudly celebrates this progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

||Hoëbes addressed the World AIDS Day commemoration at Mariental.

Namibia receives PEPFAR award

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Namibia has received an award from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in recognition of its remarkable progress towards reaching the UNAIDS 95–95–95 targets and progress towards ending the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2030.

The award was presented by the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, who oversees the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

The award was received by the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe.

HIV Infections and Default on Treatment Worries Health Ministry

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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.

Limited resources hampering efforts to end HIV/AIDS in Namibia

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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.

MoHSS collecting data on how to improve response to HIV/AIDS

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The Ministry of Health and Social Services is collecting data on how to improve response to HIV/AIDS as part of the new strategic framework for 2023, aimed at intensifying the fight against the pandemic.

HIV/AIDS poses a serious development challenge in Namibia, as it negatively impacts all sectors of the economy.

The National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS's overall goal is to reduce new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths by 75% and move the country towards ending the disease as a public threat by 2030.

Namibia among six countries to share strategies on epidemic control measures with others

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The United States of America has listed Namibia among the six countries to share strategies on epidemic control measures with other countries.

This follows the success of the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Program, which further helped Namibia to control the spread of HIV/AIDS and other epidemics.

The US Embassy's Charge d'Affaires, Jessica Long, revealed this following a courtesy call on President Hage Geingob at State House.

90% of HIV-positive children in the Ohangwena Region have their viral load suppressed

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90% of HIV-positive children in the Ohangwena Region have their viral load suppressed to the extent that the virus is no longer detectable.

The United States Agency for International Development in Namibia says levels of viral load in nine out of 10 children with the virus are below detection levels.

This is reassuring news for parents and caregivers, which is attributed to general strict adherence to ARV therapy and other support services provided by Project Hope's Namibia Adherence and Retention Project.