Observing World Health Day 2010

ON April 7, we commemorated the founding of the World Health Organisation with World Health Day. This year’s theme – ‘Urbanisation and Health – Urban Health Matters’ – is relevant even here in Namibia.

While the majority of the population in Namibia lives in rural villages and small towns, health challenges associated with rapid, unplanned urbanisation – regardless of the size of the urban area – also are found here. In urbanised areas – that is, areas with higher population density – these challenges include increased rates of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV, insufficient access to clean water, challenges maintaining sanitation and hygiene services (for example, disposal of solid waste), violence and traumatic injuries. These challenges may be amplified in larger urban settings in other countries, but in Namibia, these issues also carry a substantial impact on the health, security and prosperity of all Namibians, regardless of where they live.
The United States and its partners are striving to improve the health of cities and nations around the world.
Through technical assistance and direct financing, this support seeks to strengthen public health services and systems.
This is not only a humanitarian imperative; it also bolsters global security, fosters political stability, and promotes economic growth and development. Through this outreach, the United States government also collaborates with the international science and technology community on health research, as well as on projects to develop essential – and appropriate – new technologies and innovations for the prevention, care and treatment of disease and other health conditions. Global health challenges require global cooperation, and the United States is proud to collaborate with governments, international organisations, and private-sector partners around the world to strengthen key global health institutions.
The global health agenda outlined by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is a central piece of United States foreign policy. This agenda builds on the legacy of previous administrations, particularly the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), a ground-breaking initiative launched in 2003 by President George W. Bush and the US. Congress to address the growing HIV-AIDS crisis.
Tremendous progress was achieved in the first phase of Pepfar to offer life-saving treatment to millions of HIV-infected persons worldwide. Pepfar also stressed the prevention of HIV, as well as care and support services for infected people and their families.
In 2008, Congress reauthorised the Pepfar initiative for another five years through 2013. With this reauthorisation, the US government is developing new Partnership Frameworks with partner governments to strengthen the strategic alignment of US contributions with national health plans.
The Obama Administration recently issued a new Five-Year Strategy for Pepfar (available at www.pepfar.gov) which describes ambitious new targets for prevention, care and treatment, and a new vision for the integration of HIV-AIDS programs with countries’ broader healthcare systems.
During its next phase, Pepfar will transition from an emergency response to one that promotes sustainable country programmes.
To ensure that HIV-AIDS programmes in Namibia and elsewhere are lasting, Pepfar will increase efforts to build partner government capacity to plan, oversee and manage programmes; to deliver quality services with the participation of local civil society and communities; and ultimately, to finance health programmes. Strong partner government commitment is essential because each government is ultimately responsible for promoting the health of its population.
Partnership Frameworks will, therefore, be central for both the United States and its partners to describe how the responsibility for funding, managing and strengthening programmes will be managed in the future. The US government is developing a Partnership Framework with the government of Namibia. This document will be finalised – with input from civil society and other partners – in the coming months.
We are now in the eighth year of the Pepfar initiative. In a time of tightened budgets and economic constraints worldwide, the Obama administration has presented to Congress the largest request to date for Pepfar.
Recognising that health is an essential component of human progress, the Obama administration is emphasizing global health in its diplomacy and development work around the world.
This is reflected in the new and larger US Global Health Initiative (GHI), in which Pepfar will play a large part. Through GHI, US government funding for HIV-AIDS and for other important activities such as maternal and child health and family planning, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, and strengthening of health systems, will be coordinated and expanded.
In Namibia, the US government and American organisations have partnered with the government and local organisations to lay the groundwork for the future of a self-sustaining national health system.
Between 2003-2009, we have contributed $532,225,336 to Namibia’s health sector. In partnership with the University of Namibia, the University of Washington is providing assistance to the first medical school in Namibia where Namibia’s own doctors will learn the skills necessary to care for those in need of medical care.
Pharmacy assistants, social workers and nurses are also being trained to fill vacancies throughout the health care system. In addition, the US government has supported the renovation of clinics distributing ARV drugs and has funded hundreds of bursaries and other educational programmes.
To echo the World Health Day theme, the United States believes firmly that successful and sustainable development of cities, towns and villages depends on the health and welfare of the inhabitants who live there.
To this end, we look forward to a successful continuation of our partnership with Namibia.
Together we can build a healthy, stable, and prosperous Namibia.

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