Namibia has introduced the National Multi-Hazard Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (2024) to confront growing risks from biological, technological, societal, and environmental hazards. The plan outlines response strategies and emphasizes collaboration among sectors to strengthen emergency preparedness. Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula has highlighted the importance of this proactive approach to safeguarding public health and resilience against potential crises.
Namibia is confronting escalating threats from biological, technological, societal, and environmental hazards. In response, the government has launched the National Multi-Hazard Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (2024), aiming to enhance the nation’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities. These threats not only endanger lives but also have adverse effects on the economy, infrastructure, and overall environment.
The newly created plan encompasses results from a comprehensive risk assessment conducted by a multisectoral team in 2021. Utilizing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Tool for Assessing Risk (Star), this study aligns with findings from prior assessments including the Threat Hazard Identification Risk Assessment in 2017 and the Vulnerability Risk Assessment and Mapping in 2019.
The response plan highlights a multitude of biological hazards such as cholera, Ebola, Covid-19, rabies, and other infectious diseases. Furthermore, it identifies natural threats like earthquakes, droughts, and flooding, alongside technological and societal risks that encompass mine accidents and motor vehicle accidents.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services, in partnership with various stakeholders, is tasked with implementing key preparedness measures. This will entail enhancements to disease surveillance systems and public awareness initiatives, significantly contributing to disaster risk reduction.
Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula has emphasized the importance of this plan, advocating for collaborative participation across all sectors. He asserts, ”This framework will ensure that Namibia is well prepared to detect, respond to, and recover from any public health emergency, ultimately protecting lives and livelihoods.”
The plan’s launch emerges amidst ongoing concerns regarding Namibia’s vulnerability to climate change, urban expansion, and economic uncertainties, which have intensified the occurrence and severity of disasters. Recent events reported in The Namibian include public health crises such as the hepatitis E outbreak and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on healthcare services.
In summary, Namibia’s newly launched National Multi-Hazard Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (2024) aims to address increasing threats posed by various hazards. By fortifying emergency response infrastructure and promoting public awareness, the plan seeks to enhance the country’s resilience against health emergencies and safeguard its population. Minister Kalumbi Shangula’s commitment to collaborative execution reflects the urgency of addressing these pressing challenges as the nation navigates a landscape marked by environmental uncertainties and socioeconomic pressures.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
