Cholera case in Kunene: Health director Nangombe urges strict hygiene and safe water practices

Namibia is currently facing the highly infectious and potentially deadly cholera disease.

Executive director of health and social services Ben Nangombe on Wednesday told Desert FM that people should ensure they do not consume water collected from a stream or open bodies of water.

“When people drink water, they must boil the water. They must practise hand hygiene very strictly and make sure their food is prepared correctly.

“At least wash the food with clean, safe water that you have boiled,” he said.

Nangombe said cholera can progress from infection to serious illness, and even death, in a number of days.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services confirmed a cholera case in the Kunene region yesterday – the first in Namibia in 10 years.

Nangombe said the involved patient went to hospital on 2 March, where a sample was taken and tested positive.

“And all the steps were followed to make sure what we are identifying is done thoroughly according to the protocols,” he said.

He said the country has a robust case management system for cholera.

He said the ministry engages with communities to raise awareness and educate the public on protecting themselves, identifying symptoms, and seeking treatment.

“We have the necessary isolation facilities. Building on the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have put up a number of isolation facilities at healthcare facilities, particularly at the district hospitals,” Nangombe said.

The ministry has also set up oxygen-generating plants in the case patients require this.

Nangombe encouraged members of the community to treat the cholera situation as a national emergency.

“So all of us need to hold hands, come together, and handle this national emergency as a team. It is a national emergency,” he said.

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