Small High-Tech Freezer Goes Extra Mile to Deliver Vaccines to Namibians

Today is a very special day in Meme Linea Absalom’s life: The 55-year-old Namibian receives her first COVID-19 vaccination at the Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital near the town of Ondangwa. “I just like to feel safe, and the vaccination means that I can be safe,” she explains. The vaccine that she receives came a long way ... Read More»

United States Boosts Life-Saving Oxygen Supply at Onandjokwe Hospital

Windhoek – The U.S. government upgraded the oxygen generation plant at the Onandjokwe Hospital in Ondangwa to provide a stable supply of medical grade oxygen to the health facility. Dr. Abeje Zegeye from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Namibia handed over the upgraded plant, worth US$1 million (approx. N$17 million) to ... Read More»

U=U Campaign and Hotspot Report Address Challenges for Key Populations

Windhoek – An HIV-positive person cannot infect a sexual partner if his or her viral load is so low that the virus cannot be detected by a blood test. This is the key message of the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) campaign that was launched by the Ministry of Health and Social Services together with the ... Read More»

Remarks by Katie Battey, Acting CDC Namibia Country Director, at the Official Launch of the Minimum Package

Let me begin by offering my sincere congratulations on the launch of this Minimum Package of HIV and TB Services for People in Correctional Facilities and Police Holding Cells. This is a shining example of partnership and collaboration and it my great pleasure to be here today on behalf of the United States Government. The ... Read More»

United States Donates Millions of Condoms

Windhoek – The United States handed over 6.9 million condoms and 2.6 million lubricants to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to address supply shortages. Namibia has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, and condoms continue to be a health sector priority for preventing the spread of HIV. These commodities are ... Read More»

“World Health Day Share Fair” Gives Voice to Key Populations

Windhoek –The U.S. Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Jessica Long and the Minister of Health and Social Services, Honorable Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, on Friday, April 08 opened Namibia’s first “World Health Day Share Fair” at Katutura’s UN Plaza. The Share Fair is a networking event organized by a U.S. government-funded Key Populations (KP) project called KP-STAR in ... Read More»

Remarks by Jessica Long, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Opening of the Share Fair

Thank you for inviting me to the opening of the first Share Fair with the theme “Our planet, our health” in association with yesterday’s World Health Day. On behalf of the U.S. government, I wish to begin by recognizing the Namibian government’s response to challenges posed by COVID-19. I also wish to highlight the heroic ... Read More»

Remarks by Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Walter Parrs for World TB Day 2022

Good morning! It is great to be here. Usually, my job keeps me in Windhoek, so I am very pleased to join you today here. Travelling in this beautiful country is always a pleasure, especially when it is to see the amazing work the Ministry of Health and Social Services and its partners are doing. ... Read More»

Namibia Receives 200 Medical Emergency Beds to Support COVID-19 Response

Windhoek –  The Ministry of Health and Social Services received today 200 new medical emergency beds following a months-long cooperation on the initiative by the U.S. Embassy in Namibia and the Namibian Embassy in the U.S. The Ministry will distribute the beds to four health facilities in support of Namibia’s COVID-19 response:  Katutura Hospital, Okahandja Hospital, Onandjokwe Hospital, ... Read More»

Who Will You Trust About Vaccines? By Chargé d’Affaires Jessica Long

Windhoek – The United States Government (USG) has been a partner in health with the Namibian Government for nearly two decades.  We have been incredibly successful in our joint efforts related to HIV and TB.  These efforts have revealed our commitment and reliability on issues of health.  Fifteen years ago, people in Namibia were dying every day from HIV/AIDS. Families ... Read More»

CAGs bring hope to those living with HIV

The air was dry, the cloudless sky blue, and the road dusty in the quiet sleepy town of Outjo. With the sun shining mercilessly, hot air blew through the community hall’s windows and wide-open doors on the side and back of the hall.  In this hall situated in Damara location was a sea of yellow ... Read More»

Testing Times: Sorting Samples in the COVID-19 Laboratory in Namibia

While many people know what it is like to be tested for COVID-19, only a few people know what happens to the samples once the swab has been taken. Due to the recent surge in cases in Namibia, staff from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Namibia have been volunteering to assist ... Read More»

U.S. Government Donates Personal Protective Equipment for COVID-19 Health Care Workers

Windhoek – The U.S. government donated medical personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies worth N$4 million (US$294,000) to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.  The equipment has been distributed to frontline COVID-19 health care workers in health facilities all over the country over the past four weeks. The equipment includes 140,000 surgical masks, more than 25,000 ... Read More»

20,000 More Orphans and Vulnerable Children Receive U.S.-Funded HIV Support Services

Outapi – Over the past seven years, the U.S. Government has supported close to 60,000 Namibian orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) affected by HIV with services to live healthy, safe lives, and to stay in school.  On May 27 in a ceremony at Outapi in the Omusati region, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ... Read More»

U.S. Government Donates Equipment To Erongo Health Directorate To Bolster COVID-19 Response

Windhoek – The U.S. Government has donated 70 blood pressure machines and 41 patient monitors to the Erongo region health directorate to support the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This donation is in addition to the N$100 million of COVID-19 assistance for Namibia from the U.S. Government, which the U.S. Embassy announced in April ... Read More»

United States Supports Access To HIV Prevention, Care And Treatment Services For Correctional Service Inmates

Windhoek – To continue increasing access to HIV services for all people in Namibia, the U.S. Embassy in Namibia has supported the opening of two HIV testing facilities in cooperation with the Namibian Correctional Service. Working through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Namibia (CDC Namibia) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health ... Read More»

High Level Visit to U.S.-Funded Project: Head of UNAIDS Meets DREAMS Girls

Windhoek – The Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), Winnie Byanyima, recently visited beneficiaries of the U.S.-funded DREAMS project in Namibia. DREAMS stands for Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe and helps empower adolescent girls and young women and protect them from contracting HIV. Together with U.S. ... Read More»

U.S. Donates Laboratory Equipment to Test for COVID-19

Windhoek –The U.S. Government has donated laboratory equipment to support the Ministry of Health and Social Services in its ongoing efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. The high-tech equipment, valued at US$422,000 (approx.N$6.2mil), consists of 30 centrifuges, 15 vortex mixers, 12 biosafety cabinets, 10 refrigerators and 10 freezers. The equipment will be distributed throughout Namibia ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the USAID COVID-19 Laboratory Equipment Handover

It is an honor for me to be here with you at this important occasion to mark yet another step in our continued fight against COVID-19, in a spirit of partnership and goodwill. First, I would like to commend the Namibian government, Honourable Minister of Health and Social Services Dr. Shangula and his team for ... Read More»

Research guides convenient and cost-effective long-term HIV care in Namibia

Credit: CDC Namibia January is often a time when people review their budgets, both personally and professionally. For government bodies, the financial year is drawing to a close, and the operation of the last couple of months of the fiscal year are impacted by the pressures and stressors of the year, and how well the ... Read More»

U.S. Extends Funding for COVID Data Analysts and Public Health Specialists at MOHSS

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Namibia, the U.S. Embassy also continues to provide support to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to respond to the challenges of COVID-19. Many people in Namibia travelled within and outside the country over the festive season.  It is important to understand how and ... Read More»

Remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Namibia at the World AIDS Day Commemoration

This year’s World AIDS day theme is “Global solidarity, shared responsibility.” For over 15 years, the United States and Namibia have been partners in health. The result of our partnership is that Namibia is a global leader in the fight against HIV! Together with Namibia, we share a common interest in reaching and sustaining epidemic ... Read More»

U.S. Embassy Supports 24 New Jobs at the Ministry of Health for COVID-19 Fight

The American Embassy is supporting 24 new public health jobs at the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) to continue the fight on COVID-19. The new temporary employees, who started in October, have been hired for three months and work in seven regions to help keep the gains made in reducing COVID-19 transmission in ... Read More»

Remarks by the CDC Country Director at the launch of the Roadmap for the Elimination of MTCT and Congenital Syphilis

Dr Eric Dziuban, “All you need is a plan, the roadmap, and the courage to press on to your destination”, by Earl Nightingale. This quote is by an American motivational speaker and radio personality. While it was written many years ago, it is perfect for today. We had the plan, we have the roadmap, and ... Read More»

America donates face shields and swabs to support Namibia’s fight against COVID-19

Windhoek – The U.S. Embassy in Namibia has donated 11,000 face shields and 3,000 nasal testing swabs packaged with specimen transport media tubes to the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Namibia Institute of Pathology. The donation is part of the N$100 million donation to fight COVID-19 that was announced by the U.S. Embassy ... Read More»

U.S. Ambassador announces US$89 million for HIV prevention, care, and treatment in 2021 from the PEPFAR

Windhoek – U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson announced that the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will contribute $89 million U.S. dollars to Namibia in 2021 to fight HIV. The funding amount is an increase from $81 million USD that the PEPFAR program provided in 2020. The $89 million USD will move U.S.-Namibian efforts ... Read More»

Ambassador Johnson’s Remarks for the PEPFAR Media Briefing

Thank you for joining this important media briefing today. I appreciate your interest in the work that the United States undertakes jointly with Namibia. We are strong partners in health. The United States President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) began its work in Namibia in 2005. We have been here for 15 years and ... Read More»

America Strengthens Healthcare Services in Namibia

The U.S. government is supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Services to hire 67 data clerks for a one-month period during the month of September.  By increasing the Ministry’s capacity to analyse disease trends and patterns, Namibia is better able to understand and respond to healthcare needs of the population. These data clerks will ... Read More»

U.S. Embassy Supports Namibia’s Readiness and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Through funding from the CDC Foundation, the Ministry of Health and Social Services National Healthcare Training Centre has conducted the first in a series of new trainings for healthcare workers on COVID-19. The funding is in addition to the N$100 million of U.S. assistance towards Namibia’s COVID-19 response announced earlier this year. More than 400 ... Read More»

Ambassador Lisa Johnson’s Announcement of N$100 Million to Support Namibia’s COVID-19 Response

I am proud to announce that the United States is providing N$100 million in assistance to Namibia to fight COVID-19. As U.S. Ambassador, my priority has always been partnering with Namibia to improve the health of Namibians. This is a partnership that works and it is helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Namibia. ... Read More»

U.S. Embassy Donates Ambulances, Medical Equipment for COVID-19 Response

March 19, 2020 – Today, U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson handed over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services three ambulances, hospital beds, and other medical equipment to help Namibia in the fight against COVID-19. Ambassador Johnson joined Health Ministry Executive Director Ben Nangombe as the ambulances and equipment were offloaded from shipping containers at ... Read More»

U.S. Embassy Deploys Six New Vehicles to Support Clinical and Nurse Mentors

Swakopmund – On Thursday February 13, U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Lisa Johnson joined the Minister of Health and Social Services, Honorable Dr. Kalumbi Shangula to deploy six new vehicles for use by clinical and nurse mentors. The six vehicles will be deployed in the Omusati, Kunene, Hardap, and Omaheke regions and will enable clinical and ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the PEPFAR COP 20 Stakeholder meeting

Good morning and thank you all for attending the PEPFAR stakeholders’ meeting to kick off this year’s COP planning season. The United States is the single largest donor to Namibia’s fight against HIV, and we do not intend to stop now! We are excited to begin the planning process for COP20, which will provide PEPFAR ... Read More»

Ambassador Lisa Johnson visits Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment sites in Oshakati and Onandjokwe

On January 23, U.S. Ambassador Johnson joined the Ministry of Health and Social Services at Oshakati and Onandjokwe Hospitals to learn more about why cervical cancer screening is so important for all women who are sexually active, and particularly women who are HIV positive. “Cervical cancer is a health risk that is preventable, unlike other ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the World Aids Day Commemoration

It is my absolute pleasure to be here with you today to commemorate World AIDS Day in the Khomas region. With the global theme “Communities make a difference”, it is so important to see you, the members of this community, here today because the ability to make a difference is in your hands.  Namibia’s goal ... Read More»

Health Ministry and U.S. Ambassador introduce most advanced HIV treatment to Namibia

On 1 October, 2019, the Executive Director from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, and U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Lisa Johnson, marked the introduction of the most advanced HIV treatment currently available, Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD), to Namibia. The Executive Director and the Ambassador visited Nathaniel Maxwilili Clinic in Windhoek. During the clinic visit ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the Community Adherence Groups Milestone

We are here today with the Yambidhidha Community Adherence Group to celebrate an important achievement: more than 3,200 people in eight health districts now receive their HIV medication through Tonata’s 322 Community Adherence Groups! If it were not for the Community Adherence Groups, many of those people would face difficulties in obtaining their medication and ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the launch of the Namibia National ART Guidelines

Launch for the National Guidelines for Antiretroviral Therapy, the Paediatric and Adolescents ART Package, and the CBART Evaluation report Today is an exciting day. These new guidelines are making important changes in the way HIV positive patients will receive care and treatment. We also are launching several documents to support the Pediatric and Adolescents HIV ... Read More»

USAID Hands Over 4×4-Vehicle and TB-Testing Equipment to Tsumkwe Clinic

Tsumkwe – The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Country Representative, Dr. Randy Kolstad, handed over a 4×4-vehicle and cartridges for a GeneXpert TB diagnostic machine to use for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, to the Ministry of Health and Social Services at Tsumkwe, Otjozondjupa Region, on 17 July 2019. Over the past five years, one ... Read More»

VMMC Milestone & Handover Event

Good morning and welcome! I am very pleased and proud to join you for this important milestone event, which tells yet another Namibian success story. 150,000!  This is the magic number we are celebrating today. We are celebrating 150,000 smart male Namibians who have volunteered to get the “smart cut.” Under the leadership and guidance ... Read More»

U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson remarks at the PEPFAR Media Information Session

Thank you for attending this important media briefing today.  I appreciate your interest in this life-saving work that the United States government undertakes jointly with the Namibian government. The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was enacted on May 27, 2003, and began its work in Namibia in 2005.Our commitment remains unwavering. ... Read More»

Announcement of the New MoHSS-CDC 5 year Cooperative Agreement

Remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Ms. Lisa Johnson and CDC Country Director, Dr. Eric Dziuban at the announcement of the new MoHSS-CDC 5 year cooperative agreement U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Ms. Lisa Johnson Good morning – I am thrilled to be here with you today. The U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Health ... Read More»

Healthcare providers receive certificates for “screen and treat” training

On March 29 the U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Lisa Johnson, presented certificates of completion to healthcare providers from the Khomas Region who have been trained on the “screen and treat” procedure as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relieve (PEPFAR). The Ambassador also sat in on a patient education session to learn more ... Read More»

World TB Day Commemoration

Dr. Randy Kolstad, USAID Country Representative, Launch of National Guidelines for the Treatment and Management of TB & National Tuberculosis Disease Prevalence Survey It is an honor to join you today in this beautiful Oshakati stadium for this year’s World TB Day commemorations.  Today’s commemorations are part of a worldwide occasion to raise awareness about the ... Read More»

U.S. Government Hands Over Nutrition Equipment to Ministry of Health and Social Services

Windhoek – On 18 March 2019, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed nutrition equipment valued at N$1 million (US$72,000) to the Ministry of Health and Social Services at Windhoek’s Maxuilili Clinic. The equipment, which consists of 100 body weighing scales, 100 height-measuring ... Read More»

USAID provides N$395 million to fight HIV/AIDS

Windhoek – On 28 November 2018, the United States Government (USG), represented by the Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Government of the Republic of Namibia, represented by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), signed an amendment to their 2007 bilateral grant agreement to add US$28.2 ... Read More»

The Importance of Creating A Science Base and A Base for Science: Why Cutting-edge Science Matters

Disease knows no borders. In today’s interconnected world, diseases can spread from an isolated, rural village to any major city in as little as 36 hours. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works 24/7 to protect Americans and save lives around the world by detecting and controlling outbreaks at their source. Critically, ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the handover of the Akutsima CBART site

Thank you for inviting me here today. I, too, come from a small town, so it is special for me to have the opportunity to visit places such as Akutsima. While quite different from my home town, what is the same is the sense of community. I am telling you this because I want you ... Read More»

USAID provides N$435 million to Namibia to fight HIV/AIDS

Windhoek – On 06 November 2017, the United States Government (USG), represented by the Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Government of the Republic of Namibia, represented by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), signed an amendment to their 2007 bilateral grant agreement to add US$31 ... Read More»

2nd Annual HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign

U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton remarks to the 2nd Annual HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign  Good morning!  It is a real pleasure for me to be here again today to help commemorate the second HIV/AIDS awareness week at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.  I’m particularly pleased that the theme for this year’s awareness week is ... Read More»

The 50th Health Facility Equipped with the Facility Electronic Stock Card (FESC)

U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton remarks on The Milestone of the 50th Health Facility Equipped With The Facility Electronic Stock Card (FESC), Okatana Health Center, Oshakati District, Oshana Region Good morning!  It is a real pleasure for me this morning to be able to join the leadership of Oshana region in unveiling the electronic stock card ... Read More»

Launch of the District Health Information System Version 2

Remarks of U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton at the Launch of the District Health Information System Version 2  Good morning!  I have said it before and I will say it again: Namibia’s response to the HIV epidemic is data-driven and always has been.  Today we get another opportunity to see proof of that statement with the ... Read More»

Useful Information on Malaria when travelling to Northern and Eastern parts of Namibia

Travelers are reminded that if travelling to the northern or eastern parts of Namibia, to please contact your health care provider to inquire about malaria prophylaxis at least one week before your travel. According to the Ministry of Health and Social Services, all regions are experiencing an increase of malaria cases. The Oshikoto Region has ... Read More»

Handover of Acceleration Plan Vehicles

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton at the Official Handover of Acceleration Plan Vehicles to Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Directorate of Special Programs Good morning!  It is a real pleasure for me to be back at the Ministry of Health and Social Services today to participate in another event marking our longstanding, close cooperation ... Read More»

Launch of Project ECHO

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton Launch of Project ECHO Directorate of Special Programs, MOHSS, Windhoek October 17, 2016 Good Afternoon.  I am delighted to be here with you to witness the launch of the continuation phase of Project ECHO, which stands for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes.  Project ECHO is a unique tele-health platform and the ... Read More»

Official Handover of Prefabricated Containers – Engela District Hospital

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton at the Official Handover of Prefabricated Containers to Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) Engela District Hospital    Good morning, and thank you all for joining us today to mark an important milestone in the provision of high-quality HIV treatment to Namibians living with HIV in this district.  It’s important because ... Read More»

Official Handover of Prefabricated Containers – Onandjokwe District Hospital

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton at the Official Handover of Prefabricated Containers to Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) Onandjokwe District Hospital Good morning, and thank you all for joining us today to mark an important milestone in the provision of high-quality HIV treatment to Namibians living with HIV in this district.  It’s important because today ... Read More»
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