Red Cross praised for its frontline role on health

THE Ministry of Health and Social Services on Saturday paid homage to the involvement of the Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) in the country’s health affairs, urging the humanitarian organisation to also assist in the country’s efforts to tackle the H1N1 flu pandemic.

In a keynote address delivered by MP Alexia Ncube at the opening of the NRCS’s Annual General Meeting this weekend on behalf of Deputy Health Minister Petrina Haingura, she acknowledged the role that the organisation has played in tackling health concerns such as HIV and AIDS, TB, first aid and emergency services, blood banks, and general health promotion.She also used the platform to call on the NRCS to join national efforts to prevent and educate people on the global H1N1 flu pandemic.’As we are all aware, the H1N1 influenza is the new challenge facing the whole world and joint efforts are needed in fighting the pandemic as it has been declared by the World Health Organisation. The Namibia Red Cross Society can play an important role in educating our communities regarding this disease and how they can protect themselves and their families from contracting this disease,’ Haingura said.She added that it would be wise to use Red Cross volunteers located at the regional, village and household level to spread the message to all corners of Namibia.The NRCS has about 4 000 volunteers.Haingura added that with the huge burden of communicable diseases such as malaria, TB, H1N1, and HIV-AIDS, coupled with the escalation in chronic health problems in Namibia, ‘there is a need to allocate more resources in order to enable the health sector to deal effectively with the challenge.’’The message to encourage a healthy lifestyle should be spread to all our people in order to promote good health and prevent diseases,’ she said.Describing the NRCS as a ‘crucial partner in health’ and praising the organisation’s efforts in addressing the flood situation, Haingura also highlighted the need for greater partnership with community-based organisations, private and non-governmental organisations to address developmental challenges.nangula@namibian.com.na