Kavango East beats global HIV targets

Kavango East is beating the world's HIV benchmarks, with new health data showing 96% of people in the region know their HIV status, 97% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 96% have suppressed the virus – outperforming the global 95-95-95 targets set by UNAIDS.

The figures were presented by Mukwe Constituency regional councillor Augusta Katembo, who tabled the Kavango East Regional Council's health findings before the National Council for the 2025/2026 financial year, alongside an account of service-delivery challenges still facing the region.

“In terms of key programme achievements, 96% of people know their HIV status, 97% are on treatment, and 96% are virally suppressed,” Katembo said.

Data provided by the health ministry in 2024 shows that Kavango East has slightly more than 15 000 people living with HIV.

The figures mean Kavango East has surpassed the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which seek to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.

Katembo said the HIV gains were recorded alongside improvements in other areas of healthcare.

“Another key programme achievement is the TB treatment success rate, which stands at 91%,” she said, adding that the malaria fatality rate stood at 0.08%, which the report attributed to early diagnosis and treatment.

The region also responded to the detection of poliovirus type 2 in a sewage pond in Rundu. Four rounds of polio campaigns were conducted, achieving average coverage of 90%.

Gains and losses

The health directorate received N$260 million for the financial year, of which N$106 million was allocated to Catholic Health Services. Budget execution stood at 99%, according to the report.

Infrastructure improvements included the near-completion of the new Mabushe clinic, which was awaiting commissioning. Renovations at Baramasoni, Ndama, Sauyemwa, Kaisosi and Nkarapamwe clinics were also completed.

The region further received one ambulance, one double-cab bakkie and one outreach vehicle to strengthen capacity.

Despite these gains, Katembo highlighted several challenges confronting the region’s health system.

“Rundu Intermediate Hospital is facing limited space due to population growth, hence the need for a new hospital,” Katembo said.

The report also notes that Kavango East has no specialised facility for mental health patients, while an ageing vehicle fleet continues to hamper service delivery. Poor network and road infrastructure further affect healthcare access, particularly in rural areas.

At Big Karukuvisa, the mobile clinic is underutilised because of a shortage of nurses, limiting services available to communities that depend on outreach healthcare.

Katembo also raised concern over recurring cases of food poisoning in the region, saying the matter needs to be investigated to establish what is causing the incidents.