US-donated clinics are not exclusive
The US embassy has come out in defence of the rural clinics it donated in the Okongo constituency, saying they were not exclusively used for antiretroviral (ARV) and tuberculosis treatment, as claimed.
Last week community members labelled the clinics as white elephants, which should be opened to the general public who are starved off primary healthcare, while health minister Bernhard Haufiku said the arrangement was discriminatory and was fostering the stigmatisation of those living with HIV and TB.
The US embassy last week defended the donation, stating the clinics were erected at existing primary healthcare outreach sites. In 2016 the US embassy donated prefabricated dispensary buildings to be used as outreach clinics to villages such as Onamihonga, Oshalumbu, Onghalulu, Oupili, Oshitishiwa, Olukula, Oshifitu and Omutwe-womunhu. According to the embassy, the sites were used to provide for both primary healthcare and antiretroviral therapy services. Deputy chief of mission Peter Lord said the US embassy renovated eight of the 14 community-based ART clinics in the Okongo constituency in Ohangwena Region.
He said sites required updating, additional space and security to better serve patient needs, including provision of medication so that patients did not have to travel long distances to the main health facilities. Lord said the process was in full partnership with the ministry of health.
The projects were carried out by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), through the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) initiative. “The CDC-funded renovations enhanced the primary healthcare services provided at these sites. This included funding the addition of features, including a bed for antenatal care services, tape measure, fetoscopes (for observing fetal heart rate), urine diagnostics, and others,” said Lord.
“Primary healthcare services are provided at these sites through outreach visits, per schedules determined by the ministry of health.
ART visits also occur on a regular rotation, often every three months, allowing patients to collect their medication in line with the expansion of multi-month prescribing.”
According to Lord, the Pepfar programme continues to assist Namibia in the combating of HIV. Pepfar supports improving sustainable health systems, which contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of health care services delivered by the ministry of health, the US embassy said.
The US embassy claimed its government has invested over US$1 billion over the last 14 years in the Namibian health sector through Pepfar.
ILENI NANDJATO
Last week community members labelled the clinics as white elephants, which should be opened to the general public who are starved off primary healthcare, while health minister Bernhard Haufiku said the arrangement was discriminatory and was fostering the stigmatisation of those living with HIV and TB.
The US embassy last week defended the donation, stating the clinics were erected at existing primary healthcare outreach sites. In 2016 the US embassy donated prefabricated dispensary buildings to be used as outreach clinics to villages such as Onamihonga, Oshalumbu, Onghalulu, Oupili, Oshitishiwa, Olukula, Oshifitu and Omutwe-womunhu. According to the embassy, the sites were used to provide for both primary healthcare and antiretroviral therapy services. Deputy chief of mission Peter Lord said the US embassy renovated eight of the 14 community-based ART clinics in the Okongo constituency in Ohangwena Region.
He said sites required updating, additional space and security to better serve patient needs, including provision of medication so that patients did not have to travel long distances to the main health facilities. Lord said the process was in full partnership with the ministry of health.
The projects were carried out by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), through the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) initiative. “The CDC-funded renovations enhanced the primary healthcare services provided at these sites. This included funding the addition of features, including a bed for antenatal care services, tape measure, fetoscopes (for observing fetal heart rate), urine diagnostics, and others,” said Lord.
“Primary healthcare services are provided at these sites through outreach visits, per schedules determined by the ministry of health.
ART visits also occur on a regular rotation, often every three months, allowing patients to collect their medication in line with the expansion of multi-month prescribing.”
According to Lord, the Pepfar programme continues to assist Namibia in the combating of HIV. Pepfar supports improving sustainable health systems, which contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of health care services delivered by the ministry of health, the US embassy said.
The US embassy claimed its government has invested over US$1 billion over the last 14 years in the Namibian health sector through Pepfar.
ILENI NANDJATO
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