Namibia: Burden of Disease "Erodes" Namibia's Progress Despite Success of the UN



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Windhoek – The disproportionate adverse effects of communicable diseases and the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases "erode" much of Namibia's progress despite many successes

The United Nations (UN) Resident coordinator Rachel Odede made the observation this week

Noncommunicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases, tend to last a long time and are the result of a combination of genetic factors , physiological, environmental and behavioral. "Much of the Namibian population continues to experience unmet health needs, often of a long-term recurring nature, despite major improvements to date," added Odede, adding that Namibia

Namibia also serious inequalities in health, including access to quality services, Odede observed. She said that 82% of the population, mostly informal workers, unemployed and other vulnerable populations, accounted for 64% of total health expenditure.

A smaller proportion of the population, 18%, benefits from 36% of the Odede: "Health is a difficult, complex and cross-cutting sector, it is a central pillar of Namibia's development policies, and the Namibian government is aware She noted that the Ministry of Health and Social Services strategic plan launched this week is aimed at tackling health inequities and increasing health inequalities, Odede added. 19659007]. access to quality health care services from peripheral and tertiary health care levels.

The five-year strategic plan aligns with national, regional and international development policies. In particular, it is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that give primacy to people, the planet and prosperity. For people to prosper, they must be in good health and have access to quality health care, as described in SDG 3, "Good Health and Well-Being," Odede

said. the Sustainable Development Goals must "achieve universal health coverage" (UHC) and the Ministry of Health's strategic plan is closely linked to universal health coverage assurance by improving access to services and the quality of care

the promotion, prevention, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective while ensuring that the use of the services is n & # Does not expose the user to financial difficulties

strong funding structures and reduced health expenditures. Improving health service coverage and outcomes depends on the availability, accessibility and capacity of health workers to deliver quality-centered care, "said Ms. Odede.

. and that these key elements are reflected in the newly launched five-year strategic plan of the Ministry of Health.

In addition, Odede said that over the past 28 years, the government has redoubled efforts to reduce health inequities. "The number of AIDS-related deaths has decreased by more than 50% between 2000 and 2016 by 53% in the adult population and by 90% among children," says Odede.

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