Ben Nangombe – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

08 Jun

Namibia receives condoms, lubricants worth over N$4 million

ObserverNational NewsAIDS Relief (PEPFAR) by USAID’s Global Health Supply Chain Program., Ben Nangombe, Health Ministry Executive Director Ben Nangombe, Namibia receives condoms

Staff Writer Namibia received a donation of condoms and lubricants worth N$4 248 127 from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today. The donations of over 6.9 million condoms and 2.6 million lubricants were received by the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe. The condoms and lubricants were procured with funds from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) by USAID’s Global Health Supply Chain Program. Despite significant advances in the fight against HIV, Nangombe highlighted that some challenges persist, particularly surrounding HIV testing among communities and young people. “With the…

05 Apr

Namibia not protected against Covid outbreak

ObserverUncategorisedBen Nangombe, Namibia not protected against Covid outbreak

Tujoromajo Kasuto Fear has been expressed that Namibia is not ready to withstand a new Covid-19 outbreak because of its low vaccination figures. Public health experts in some areas relaxed its Covid-19 regulations too early and adopted liberal health protocols as the developed world that have over 70 percent of vaccination figures as opposed to Namibia’s just over 20 percent of the targeted population. The Ministry of Health and Social Services is however confident that the Covid-19 health regulations are adequate to withstand an outbreak, while about a three-quarter of the targeted population remain unvaccinated. The Executive Director in the…

24 Mar

Misinformation could lead to loss of lives

ObserverUncategorisedBen Nangombe, Misinformation could lead to loss of lives

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Health and Social Service Executive Director Ben Nangombe has called on the public to ignore misinformation being spread on social media both in voice and note clips by certain individuals against vaccination. The clips have led to public inundating the ministry with clarifications over the last three weeks. Nangombe also revealed that there had been several threats against vaccination teams and regional directors, emanating from the misinformation circulated. The ministry has assured the public that Namibia only uses WHO authorised vaccines for children and adolescents and would only\ introduce other vaccines and medical interventions as…

21 Jan

Namibian men succumbing more to COVID-19 than women

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Namibian men succumbing more to COVID-19 than women

Eba Kandovazu MORE Namibian men have succumbed to COVID-19, in comparison to women, since the global pandemic hit Namibia in March 2020. Until 10 January, a total 3735 Namibians died. Of these, 2044 are men and 1691 are women, the Executive Director (ED) in the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Ben Nangombe, says. Nangombe says an analytical study ought to be conducted, to establish why more men than women are dying due to coronavirus. "One cannot just make assumptions and conclude on the factors contributing to the difference, as this need analytical study to make an informed conclusion.…

08 Dec

Children aged 12 years and older are now eligible for vaccination

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Tujoromajo Kasuto CHILDREN aged 12 years and older are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, as the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has decided to expand vaccination eligibility to children and adolescents aged 12-17 years. Vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and deaths due to COVID-19. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) has recommended that Pfizer/BionTech COVID-19 vaccine is suitable for use by persons aged 12 years and above. The same vaccine has been granted Emergency Use Authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in…

30 Nov

Sinopharm’s third dose for 60-year- olds and those with comorbidity

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, MINISTRY of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Executive Director

Tujoromajo Kasuto MINISTRY of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Executive Director (ED), Ben Nangombe, says the ministry has with immediate implementation introduced an additional third dose of Sinopharm vaccine for people who have already completed their vaccination schedule. This would be administered six months (168 days) after the second dose for all adult 60 years and older, those with moderately to severely compromised immune including those with active cancer, transplant recipients, those on active treatment with immune suppression and people with HIV not on treatment. Nangombe adds that all individuals 18 years and older who have completed a two-dose schedule…

18 Nov

Babies born early now survive because of improved medical, nursing care

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), World Prematurity Day

Tujoromajo Kasuto It is a stark reality that approximately one in five babies born too early may not survive but medical and nursing care has improved significantly over the last 40 years. “Today, in Namibia, we can help babies who, 10 or 20 years ago would not have survived. Today, we are privileged to see tiny babies weighing about 1000 g or in some cases, less than that, survive and go home to their families,” says Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Executive Director (ED), Ben Nangombe. Nangombe said this during the commemoration of World Prematurity Day today, which…

17 Nov

Health Ministry purchases tent for N$4.5 million

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Tujoromajo Kasuto IN a bizarre turn of events, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has purchased a 70-bed tented ward located in Windhoek Central Hospital for around N$4.5 million, after its rental agreement expired. Critics say the N$4.5 million could have been used to renovate the already existing hospital or build a concrete ward structure. The Executive Director (ED) of MoHSS, Ben Nangombe, says upon the ending of the renting period from July to October 2021, the ministry decided that the best option would be to buy the tent so that they would easily deployable whenever they need…

20 Oct

Health ministry admits to unsafe abortions, calls on abortion law repeal

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Eba Kandovazu THE Executive Director (ED) in the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), Ben Nangombe, says the Abortion and Sterilisation Act 2 of 1975 is an outdated law that should be repealed to suit the current contemporary issues. According to Nangombe, the 46-year-old law does not speak to the current realities happening today, saying it should be reviewed. “We will have to consult further and work around the desired legislation. Of course this will depend on what the public too has to say. Our position is that there is no dispute that there are situations where safe attempts…

06 Oct

Covid-19 vaccination for children over 12 on the horizon

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Covid-19, Pfizer

Tujoromajo Kasuto CHILDREN aged 12 years and older will soon be eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, as the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) is looking into extending the vaccination to children. MOHSS Executive Director (ED), Ben Nangombe, states that, “the health clusters and experts are looking into the available data and upon their recommendation the ministry will first inform the public before extending the vaccination approach.” Similarly, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, says the initiative will have the ministry’s “full support” once the various committees within the Health…