Namibia Reports Zero Cholera Cases in a Decade Amid Ongoing Risks

Namibia has not reported cholera cases in over a decade, according to Health Ministry Executive Director Ben Nangombe. However, climate change poses ongoing risks for potential outbreaks across Africa. The country has implemented various health policies and recently held a workshop to strengthen preparedness and response strategies. WHO representative Richard Banda emphasized the preventability of cholera deaths with available resources.

In Namibia, the Health Ministry has reported that there have been no cholera cases confirmed in over a decade. Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the ministry, emphasized during a recent cholera elimination validation workshop that although the country has remained free of cholera infections, the risk remains due to the ongoing impacts of climate change, which heightens the threat of outbreaks in vulnerable regions across Africa.

Nangombe acknowledged the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recent report of cholera outbreaks in 18 African countries in 2024, particularly severe cases in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Malawi, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe. Concerns have also been raised regarding neighboring Angola’s cholera alerts, which could lead to cross-border transmission.

Extreme climatic events, such as floods and droughts, have adversely affected water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure in Africa, creating conducive conditions for cholera outbreaks, according to Nangombe. He further noted that the El Niño phenomenon in 2024 contributed to droughts in Zambia and Zimbabwe, while heavy rains led to flooding in Kenya and Tanzania, severely damaging infrastructure in several countries.

Namibia has taken a proactive approach to public health through the implementation of various policies, including the National Action Plan for Health Security and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Technical Guidelines. Additionally, the launch of the National Multi-Hazard Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Plan aligns with international health regulations, which have been instrumental in keeping cholera at bay in the country.

Continuous investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, in addition to disease surveillance and community engagement, is critical for ongoing public health protection, stressed Nangombe. He highlighted that a recent three-day workshop, facilitated by WHO experts, aims to identify high-risk areas and enhance Namibia’s preparedness and response strategies against cholera outbreaks.

Participants in this collaborative effort include representatives from multiple ministries, the City of Windhoek, UNICEF, and WHO. Nangombe expressed the importance of strategic planning to effectively target potential outbreak areas while fortifying all regions against cholera.

Furthermore, he called upon stakeholders to rigorously validate vulnerability factors in health districts and ensure that national plans are grounded in scientific evidence. He concluded by urging a collective commitment towards realizing a cholera-free Namibia and Africa, emphasizing the need for vigilance in protecting public health.

Richard Banda, WHO’s representative to Namibia, reiterated that cholera can be successfully managed and pointed to the historical context of cholera pandemics. He noted WHO member states’ commitments made in 2018 to a Global Roadmap for cholera prevention and control.

Banda highlighted that WHO has developed extensive resources for cholera management and that every cholera-related death is preventable with the current tools available. He expressed confidence that the facilitators and participatory efforts during the workshop would enable the achievement of set objectives, despite the challenges faced.

The Health Ministry of Namibia reports no cholera cases in over a decade but acknowledges ongoing risks due to climate change. Proactive measures and policies have helped maintain a cholera-free status, but continued investment in infrastructure and community engagement is essential. The recent workshop aimed to enhance preparedness against potential outbreaks. Overall, Namibia’s strategies and collaborative efforts reflect a solid commitment to public health and the aspiration for a cholera-free future.

Original Source: www.namibian.com.na