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  2. Namibia COVID - 19 Outbreak Response

Namibia COVID - 19 Outbreak Response

Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, CDC Director, Dr. Eric Dziuban and WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses at the Hosea Kutato International Airport inspecting the readiness of the airport for initial screening and the temporary isolation facilities.
President of the Republic of Namibia His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob reaching out to greet WHO Representative Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses at the Hosea Kutato Airport outside the isolation facility at the airport
The country is investing in increasing its case management capacity. This is a new isolation facility that is being constructed as part of the COVID-19 response
WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses in front of the nearly completed isolation facility.
Namibia launched a COVID-19 Communication Centre on 2 April 2020 jointly managed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology. The Center host 2 daily live media briefings on COVID-19 involving all sectors.
WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses together the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Ester Muinjangue and Deputy Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology Hon. Emma Theofilus updating the media on COVID-19 at the COVID-19 Communication Center.
WHO Country office engaging the media to increase awareness on COVID-19 risk reduction measures and response strategies.
WHO Country office engaging the media to increase awareness on COVID-19 risk reduction measures and response strategies.
Building Capacity of different cadres of health care providers has been an integral part of preparedness and response.
Building Capacity of different cadres of health care providers has been an integral part of preparedness and response.
Building Capacity of different cadres of health care providers has been an integral part of preparedness and response.
Health education sessions in workplaces including the UN before the lockdown.
Hand-washing stations are being constructed in informal settlements with the help of community health workers and civil society organizations
WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses and UNICEF Representative, Mrs Rachel Odede handing over infection prevention and control materials for health workers to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations, Right Honorable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Points of Entry Team conducting supervisory support visits at police checkpoints in and around Windhoek
WHO providing critical medical supplies to the COVID-19 response
Training a group of food distributors from the Food Bank programme on COVID-19 and how to protect themselves and the community while distributing food to the most vulnerable.
Infection prevention and control team supporting health facilities to ensure facility's readiness and response when handling suspected COVID-19 cases
Strengthening surveillance and data management through training
COVID-19 medical supplies handed over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services
COVID-19 medical supplies handed over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services
WHO Representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses handing over COVID-19 medical supplies to the Honorable Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula
WHO COVID-19 Case Management Focal person at the COVID-19 Communication Centre sharing on patient management. The one hour session was streamed live on all media houses in Namibia
Namibia has expanded its testing strategy for COVID-19 to all potentially at risk population groups to ensure that no case is missed.
WHO and MOHSS conducted a two week integrated training on COVID-19 from 6-22 May 2020. The training attracted close to 600 participants from government, academia and civil society organization.
WHO Representative, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses, visit to one of the hospitals in Windhoek prepared to treat mild to severe cases of COVID-19
WHO Representative, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses, visit to one of the hospitals in Windhoek prepared to treat mild to severe cases of COVID-19
Case management and Infection Prevention and Control Pillars conducted a simulation exercise in Windhoek on 23 May 2020 in preparation for treating mild to severe COVID-19 cases
Case management and Infection Prevention and Control Pillars conducted a simulation exercise in Windhoek on 23 May 2020 in preparation for treating mild to severe COVID-19 cases
The President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob commissioned the intensive care unit and isolation unit for COVID-19 cases at the Windhoek Central Hospital on 3 June 2020
Ministry of Health and Social Services with support from the United Nations in Namibia and other partners produced COVID-19 leaflets, posters, radio and television jingles for the general public in all local languages, in braille and sign language. Some of the leaflets and posters were also printed in large font to the cater partially blind.
Ministry of Health and Social Services, WHO and partners are on an assessment mission to the Omaheke Region to determine the region's preparedness and response to COVID-19 pandemic. The team concluded its two day visit on 16 June 2020 after consultations with the regional health emergency team, and visits to the border posts and health facilities.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services, WHO and partners are in the Erongo Region since 10 June 2020 to provide hands on support to the region to contain the spread of COVID-19 outbreak. Erongo is currently in stage 1 lockdown and have the highest number of cases 2nd to the Khomas region. The team in Erongo region is strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, case management, laboratory services, infection prevention and control and mental health and psycho-social support.
Ministry of Health and Social Services with partners set up a COVID-19 testing centre in Kuisebmund on 20 June 2020 to actively find cases, isolate and treat. The testing strategy has been expanded to all residents of Walvisbay targeting at least 2000 tests by 27 June 2020.
Surveillance team in Walvsbay, Erongo Region is mapping COVID-19 cases and contacts from Kuisebmund to understand the transmission better in the hot spot.
Surveillance team in Walvsbay, Erongo Region is mapping COVID-19 cases and contacts from Kuisebmund to understand the transmission better in the hot spot.
COVID-19 Data management team ( MOHSS, CDC, WHO, UNICEF, Health Information Systems Programme Namibia and other partners) is conducting a series of training sessions on data management targeting all regions and health districts.
As part of building the capacity of front-line workers in regions, the MOHSS Field Epidemiologists from National level trained 30 participants from Zambezi region and 135 participants from Kavango East and West regions on COVID-19 case identification, contact tracing and infection prevention and control.
WHO and UNICEF support the assessment declining rates in first and second dose of measles/rubella vaccine in selected health districts in all 14 regions from 6-17 July 2020.
Special outreach to taxi drivers distributing masks, hand sanitizers and leaflets on COVID-19
Go. Data national training for surveillane and COVID-19 data managment teams
Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Representive paying a courtsey visit to the Governor of Erongo Region, Hon. Neville Itope
Dr Sagoe-Moses with the Acting SMO of Walvisbay State Hospital outside one of the COVID-19 Isolation Centres
Dr. Sagoe-Moses talking with one of the recovered COVID-19 patients
Dr. Sagoe-Moses at one of the informal settlements in Walvisbay. This settlements had reported some of the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in the past
WHO COVID-19 volunteers in Kavango Region together with WHO COVID-19 Regional Coordinator and Head of NID
WHO supporting the Intra-Action Review for COVID-19 preparedness and response in the Zambezi Region
WHO conducted a training of 30 medical officers and nurses from the HDU and ICUs to improve the care of COVID-19 patients
Namibia launched the National Action Plan on Health Security on 8 December 2020

Namibia reported the first two cases of  COVID-19 on 13 March a couple from Romania who came to visit Namibia for  holiday.   As of 7 April 2020, the cases have increased to 16, with 3 recoveries and no deaths.  WHO Namibia as part of an all UN approach with partners have been providing support for preparedness, response and mitigation of the outbreak.  The Namibian government adapted a whole government, blended approach to the response and the pictures aim to illustrate the different interventions by government and partners.