Martin Endjala
The Ohangwena Region is not yet out of the woods as health officials continue to report cases of scabies since the disease was reported in March last year by Health and Social Services Minister Kalumbi Shangula.
This was revealed yesterday by the region’s Governor, Walde Ndevashiya during the State of region Address.
During the period under review, the number of cases is said to have exponentially increased to 10 780 in 2022 while cases continue to rise in the year 2023. He said 5 484 cases have already been recorded.
This disease, the Governor said, requires a high level of hygiene to be practised by the residents of Ohangwena.
“Clothes, linen or blankets need to be washed regularly. Blankets can also be hung in the sun and the germ that causes scabies will die,” he said.
Residents who experience rashes are advised to report themselves at the nearest health facility for treatment and information.
During the 2022 State of the Region Address, it was stated that the region reported between 400 and 800 cases of scabies, which were treated at public health facilities across the Region.
Furthermore, the region also reported 921 cases over the same period, mostly from school children. 51 percent of cases are in the 6 – 10-year age group while 26 percent are among the 0 – 5 years age group.
These cases were reported mostly from the Engela, Ondobe, Endola, Eenhana and Okongo constituencies.
Awareness-raising campaigns were for community leaders and members of the general public as well as for school principals and circuit inspectors. Radio talks were conducted as well as the distribution of information leaflets.
The Governor noted that the region has not reported any new cases of Covid-19.
“However, suspected cases are being investigated and are under surveillance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ndevashiya stated that there is still a high number of people giving birth at home in the region.
This is caused by infrequent antenatal care visits by the expectant mothers to the health facilities in the region.
On the other hand, there is a lack of Primary Health Care units in some areas in the region and added that the situation poses serious health and life-threatening risk and can increase infant mortality deaths.
“I am encouraging expectant mothers to report at the health facilities on time to prevent loss of lives,” said the Governor.
On a positive note, the region has recorded a number of improvements in the health sector, which includes an increase in the number of medical personnel during the period under review.
“I am therefore pleased to report that Okongo, Eenhana and Engela Hospitals have received four, nine and ten additional medical doctors,” he said.
The addition of new doctors relieved pressure from the medical personnel and therefore improved service delivery.
The region has further received Medical Outreach services from Onandjokwe and Oshakati hospitals focusing mostly on Gynecology, Surgery and Ultrasound (sonar) services.
This has helped patients who have been on the waiting list to be assisted earlier, hence improving their health status. Additionally, two new state-of-the-art dental equipment have also been received, and handed over to Engela and Okongo district hospitals, respectively.
The region also recorded an increase in the number of Measles and Rubella vaccination from 11 710 in the 2021/2022 financial year to 11 823 in the 2022/2023 financial year.
