HEALTH INNOVATION
HEALTH INNOVATION: Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao officially opened the International Conference on Innovation in TB 2025 on Monday.
Dr Luvindao said Namibia had made significant progress in tackling tuberculosis. She noted that the health ministry, through the National TB and Leprosy Programme, had recorded several key achievements.
In 2024, the country reached a treatment success rate of 88% for drug-susceptible TB, edging closer to the World Health Organisation’s 90% target.
For patients with drug-resistant TB, Namibia recorded a treatment success rate of 74%.
Dr Luvindao said the country had also maintained near-universal HIV testing among TB patients, with almost all tested and 99% of those co-infected starting antiretroviral therapy.
“These outcomes reflect the dedication of our healthcare workers, the decentralisation of services beyond health facilities, and the integration of TB care into primary healthcare,” she said.
PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED
Dr Luvindao said Namibia had made significant progress in tackling tuberculosis. She noted that the health ministry, through the National TB and Leprosy Programme, had recorded several key achievements.
In 2024, the country reached a treatment success rate of 88% for drug-susceptible TB, edging closer to the World Health Organisation’s 90% target.
For patients with drug-resistant TB, Namibia recorded a treatment success rate of 74%.
Dr Luvindao said the country had also maintained near-universal HIV testing among TB patients, with almost all tested and 99% of those co-infected starting antiretroviral therapy.
“These outcomes reflect the dedication of our healthcare workers, the decentralisation of services beyond health facilities, and the integration of TB care into primary healthcare,” she said.
PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED
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