The Ministry of Health and Social Services received N$18,4 million from Japanese Supplemental Budget Project to support health security, emergency preparedness and to strengthen its diagnostic capacity.
The funding and equipment were handed over in Windhoek today.
Of the N$18,4 million, N$12,3 million will be directed to strengthening health system and community resilience that will be a implemented through UNICEF Namibia.
This project will benefit about 118 thousand people from the Kunene, Omusati and Otjozondjupa Regions.
Another N$2,1 millio will be used to enhance emergency preparedness through the WHO Namibia.
The project will be implemented in the Kavango East, Kavango West, Zambezi and Ohangwena Regions and will benefit over 42 thousand individuals.
While, three-comma-nine million dollars will be directed to strengthening cancer treatment and diagnostic through the procurement of equipment for the Oncology and Urology Centers in Windhoek.
Said Shinichi Asazuma, Japan Ambassador to Namibia.
“By supporting initiative that strengthening health systems, enhance health service standards and promote patient safety, Japan contributes to building resilient healthcare systems that deliver effective, dignified and equitable care in line with the global and Namibian government goal of achieving UHC and ensuring that no one is left behind.”
The Ministry of Health together with UN Namibia welcomed the gesture, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening integrated Primary health Care and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response.
Hopoland Phororo, UN Resident Coordinator said:
“These investments may sound technical, but their impact is deeply human. They mean a mother in rural Kunene can assess care sooner for a sick child. They mean a young person in Omusati is equipped to identify and report health risks early. They mean families in remote communities have stronger systems in place to prevent and respond to outbreaks before they escalate.”
Executive Director of the Ministry of Health & Social Services, Penda Ithidi said:
“Consequently, I have instructed the project implementation team to ensure speedy implementation and absolute efficiency and transparency in every cent spent which must be directed to the core commodities and services and not just consumptive operational spending. We will maintain strict oversight to ensure optimum results.”
The three projects will be implemented over a period of one year.