African health leaders are calling for greater investment, regional cooperation and self-reliance to improve health security on the continent as external funding declines. 

This was highlighted at the fifth Southern Africa Regional Ministerial Steering Committee meeting in Windhoek. 

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Union are stepping up efforts to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

This will be done by strengthening health systems, improving domestic health financing and enhancing accountability across Africa.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has received a portable mobile laboratory donated by the Russian Federation.

The handover aims to strengthen Namibia's disease surveillance and laboratory response capacity.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has recommitted to strengthening systems that will ensure safe, effective, and sustainable blood transfusion service. 

The commitment was made at the opening of the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion 12th International Congress in Windhoek.