HEALTHCARE - MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH IN A PANDEMIC - The Namibian
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Thursday 29July 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON MEDICAL
1
SP TLIGHT ON THURSDAY 29 JULY 2021
HEALTHCARE
MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH
IN A PANDEMIC
A PUBLICATION OF
62 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
Thursday 29July 2021
FOREWORD
Covid-19 Has Impacted
the Whole Spectrum of
Human Life
Dr Kalumbi Shangula
Minister of health and social services
T
HE health of an individual is Covid-19 pandemic, that started in 2019 that consumes the mind of the public is fear. varying measures in a misfortune. Despite
influenced by a range of personal, in China. Soon thereafter, the pandemic The containment of this fear is a big its devastating effect, Covid-19 has created
social, economic, and environmental engulfed the whole world. It has impacted challenge. The task of educating the public opportunities for survival and self-reliance.
factors. The interrelationship among these the whole spectrum of human life. In order about the disease, its aetiology, the mode of When international borders were closed
factors determines the status of health of to contain the spread of the virus, countries transmission, its treatment and prevention Namibia started to produce masks and
individual members of the society and by instituted drastic measures. Schools were becomes a challenging task. Covid-19 is a sanitisers, something that never happened
extension, that of the population. One of closed, economies were brought to their new disease. Little was known of it at the before.
the important determinants of health is knees, hospitals were overwhelmed and beginning. What made the situation worse The health system responded to the
the accessibility to and quality of heath the traditional way of living was changed is the infodemic of misinformation and pandemic by extending its bed capacity to
services. Healthcare systems in all countries drastically. disinformation about the disease. admit patients who needed hospitalisation.
continue to evolve in response to changing The most important lesson one draws The Ministry of Health and Social Services The ministry also upgraded its oxygen
demographics rapid technological advances from the Covid-19 pandemic is never to put has managed health emergencies in the generating systems to meet the increasing
and more and more complex financing and one’s eggs in one basket. The pandemic has past. It has standing structures at national demand of Covid-19 patients. Regrettably,
delivery mechanisms. exposed peoples’ vulnerability to external and regional levels to deal with health the pandemic exerted a heavy toll on the
The world has experienced many shock. In Namibia for example, Covid-19 emergencies. Namibia has experienced health workforce who has to work extended
epidemics. Some of the most brutal killers was imported, but soon thereafter it outbreaks before, among them, cholera, hours.
in history are cholera, bubonic plague, developed into community transmission. plague, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic In addition, a significant number of health
smallpox, and influenza. The HIV-AIDS With the closure of borders, the channels fever and malaria. But none of these can be workers contracted infection and some of
pandemic has killed 36 million people and of supply were disrupted. Then sourcing compared to the Covid-19 pandemic in terms them have unfortunately died.
is still persisting though somehow with of essential goods like food and medicines of intensity, geographic spread, the extent of I pay homage to these brave sons and
less ferocity. But the flu pandemics have became difficult. The meaning of the word disruption of the social order and its impact. daughters of the soil. Nothing is permanent
dominated much of modern history and self-reliance started to sink in and assumed It has changed drastically the manner we except change. The observance of public
has caused millions of deaths each time new significance. mourn our loved ones and conduct burials. health measures and the vaccines shall
the pandemic occurs. The latest is the As with any new disease, the first thing Ironically, there is always opportunity in deliver us from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Private Sector Lends
a Helping Hand
play a role in curbing the spread of the virus is clear that the private sector needed to step
and assisting to end it. in and support efforts already being made
Recently, the Namibia Chamber of by the government,” said NCCI president
Commerce and Industry hailed private Bisey Uirab.
sector companies that had so far The objectives of the NCCI-led coalition
contributed over N$16 million to the are to engage the private sector thought
NCCI-led emergency Covid-19 response. leadership, promote awareness to adherence
The initiative is a private sector coalition to Covid-19 regulations in the business
RELIEF … Some 70 beds were donated to the Katutura Intermediate Hospital by the created out of the urgent need to combat community, as well as mobilise private
NCCI-led initiative on the private sector’s response to Covid-19. the unfolding Covid-19 crisis in the country, sector resources.
especially with regards to the supply of “We aim to mobilise private sector
medical oxygen, facilities, equipment and resources in order to provide direct
• JOHN-COLIN NAMENE Ministry of Health and Social Services by other critical supplies in public health support to state and public healthcare
boosting healthcare facilities. facilities. facilities with the ability to respond to
I
N the midst of the devastating Covid-19 With assistance coming from the general “The rate at which the virus is spreading the crisis. Furthermore, we also want to
pandemic, the role of the private sector public and foreign governments, private is unprecedented and it appears we are increase general public awareness in order
has proved to be crucial in assisting the companies are also finding it important to fighting our most lethal adversary to date. It to encourage vaccinations and support
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>
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THIS SPOTLIGHT SUPPLEMENT EDITOR: Tabby Moyo
PUBLICATION:
EDITION LAYOUT & DESIGN: Lotta Kaapanda
SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE - 2021 COVER PHOTO: Lady Pohamba Private
Hospital
Thursday 29July 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
3
67 525 Cases, 2 057 Deaths in 3 Months
• SHELLEYGAN PETERSEN
collapse of the oxygen generating systems at health
N
AMIBIA’S Covid-19 third wave driven facilities countrywide.
by the Delta variant ravaged through
the county as it reported close to 70 000 SHORTAGE
new infections and over 2 000 deaths in just The government started relying on outside supplies
three months. to supplement its non-functional in-house oxygen
production systems, provided by Intaka Technology
In July alone, the country recorded 23 192 cases Namibia. The shortage led to some doctors deciding
and 1 109 deaths. to take certain patients off oxygen.
The third wave had Namibia’s daily new Sources at a state hospital told The Namibian that some
confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths per million patients had been taken off oxygen, saying doctors
people surpassing that of South Africa, India, worldwide have to grapple with this type of decision
Brazil and the United States. This is according “for the greater good”.
to the Johns Hopkins University’s Covid-19 data As the oxygen struggle worsened, Nangombe met
extracted from its Covid-19 data repository. with African Oxygen Limited (Afrox) and Air Liquide
On 29 June, experts including Windhoek-based Namibia, among others, to acquire additional oxygen
infectious disease specialist Dr Gordon Cupido, countrywide. Days later, a 20-tonne tank was installed
specialist at the ministry of health Ishmael at the respiratory unit at the Katutura Intermediate
Katjitae, along with health executive director Ben Hospital by Afrox with private sector and state-owned
Nangombe suspected the presence of the Delta enterprises jumping to the rescue by sponsoring oxygen
variant in the country as cases started to pick up. supply to the hospitals.
On 5 July, the Ministry of Health and Social There was a bed shortage as patients were turned away
Services confirmed the presence of the Delta from both private and state hospitals. Later on, clinics
Covid-19 variant in positive samples tested in that were not prepared had to take in Covid-9 patients
Dr Kalumbi Shangula as the hospitals were overwhelmed.
the Khomas region. The Delta variant which was
discovered in India, at that point was detected minister of health and social services The health ministry converted up to four of the wards
in 98 countries, according to the World Health in state hospitals into Covid-19 units along with setting
Organisation. up intensive care units (ICU).
Currently, it has been detected in more than 140 Medical superintendents from the two state hospitals
countries worldwide. in Windhoek announced in a circular early in May that
This led to the partial lockdown announced by cases are stabilising – an indication that the Shangula, however, stressed that Namibia is they will discontinue referrals from other hospitals as
president Hage Geingob at the end of June with country has reached the third wave’s peak. not out of the woods yet, and that adherence to well as surgeries considered as non-emergency until
the curfew set between 22h00 and 04h00 as Speaking to The Namibian previously, Shangula health regulations should still remain a priority. further notice.
well as a closing down of regions. said the number of daily cases the country has The third wave saw Namibia’s health care system Due to being overwhelmed, Katutura Intermediate
been recording has not exceeded 2 000 as under pressure with insufficient hospital beds Hospital has converted its outpatient department into
PEAK previously seen, indicating it has stabilised. and oxygen supply. Since early this year, the a designated holding and oxygenation area for patients
Minister of health and social services Kalumbi “They are not going up, but neither are they government has faced a critical shortage of waiting for bed availability and placement. This was
Shangula says the trend shows the number of going down,” he said. lifesaving oxygen at state hospitals due to the announced in a memorandum issued to staff members
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>
64 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
Thursday 29July 2021
oxygen initiative which has thus far
brought approximately 100 tonnes of
liquid oxygen into the country through
dedicated resources. According to Dawe,
B2Gold spent more than N$90 million
on social investments and Covid-19
assistance in 2020.
Jochen Schindler and Matthias
Rohr from Namibia and their circle of
friends from Germany, all members of
the student association Corps Bavaria
Würzburg, initiated a spontaneous
donation and aid campaign which
raised more than 30 000 euros (about
N$525 000) in less than a month. From
Germany, the procurement of ventilators
Photos: Contributed was organised by members of the Corps
Bavaria Würzburg and the on-site
coordination in Namibia was carried out
WELCOME FACILITY … The field hospital at the Windhoek Central Hospital before completion. This hospital was coordinated by
by Schindler and Rohr.
Namibia Breweries Limited.
“Thanks to the help of a Würzburg
based manufacturer of high-flow oxygen
Thursday 29July 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
5
Debmarine Empowers
Unam in Covid-19 Fight Photo: Contributed
TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW … Dr Nepolo explaining how the PCR
machines work to Debmarine Namibia CEO Otto Shikongo, minister
of health and social services Dr Kalumbi Shangula and minister of
higher education Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi.
D
EBMARINE Namibia has been
hailed for its role in the fight
against Covid-19, having been one
of the first industry players to respond
to the government’s plea for assistance
to tackle the pandemic.
Debmarine Namibia has so far invested
more than N$8 million putting up
infrastructure to slow down the spread
of the Coronavirus and signed an
agreement with the University of
Namibia (Unam) School of Medicine
to step up diagnostics for SARS-Cov-2.
The company also made available a
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test
machine assigned to Unam.
Unam will retain the ownership of
the testing machine post the Covid-19
pandemic to test for other viruses, as
applicable.
The Unam Molecular Diagnostic
Laboratory recently carried out genomic
sequencing which confirmed the presence
of the Delta variant in Namibia.
Head of the Biochemistry Department
at the Unam School of Medicine, Dr
Emmanuel Nepolo, told The Namibian
that Debmarine Namibia’s contribution
had helped increase the department’s
capacity.
“Debmarine Namibia has contributed to
capacity building for Unam during the
early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic by
sponsoring laboratory equipment mainly,
the PCR machine, RNA extractors,
a biosafety cabinet and all required
consumables for the diagnostic of
SARS-Cov-2. On the other hand, Unam
provided the much-needed technical
know-how in terms of human resources
and through this smart partnership,
further laboratory capacity in terms of
Covid-19 testing was developed at Unam,”
said Dr Nepolo.
He said for Namibia to step up the fight
against Covid-19, there was a need to
increase the virus variant sequencing
capacity currently standing at 20 samples
a week.
“An additional iSeq 100 instrument
and consumables will enable Unam to
trace Covid-19 variants in Namibia and
monitor how they change over time into
new variants, understand how these
changes affect the characteristics of the
virus, and use this information to better
understand how it might impact health
RMA has been ahead of the
in terms of how infectious the virus is,
how severe the infection may become,
and how well current vaccines protect
against the different variants.
curve for the past 8 years!
“Unam being the only institution in
Namibia performing Covid-19 variant
sequencing, such support will allow us
to detect Variant of Concern and Variant
of Interest on time, hence giving early
warnings for appropriate and timely
public health responses in the fight
against Covid-19,” said Dr Nepolo. Since 2013, RMA has ensured that With RMA, having access to
The Delta variant of the coronavirus, multivitamins and multi-mineral appropriate vitamin supplements
first detected in India in October 2020,
was confirmed to be present in Namibia
supplements are covered, whether will continue throughout the
on 5 July 2021. This variant is said to be taken OTC (Over-The-Counter) or pandemic and into the future,
97% more transmissible compared to
other variants.
whether prescribed by a healthcare because we understand that
practitioner and claimed from your immune support is of vital
However, it has been found that vaccines
are still highly effective in preventing
acute medication benefit. importance now more than ever.
severe illness of people who contract the
Delta variant.
Dr Nepolo said his department will
continue to provide evidence on whether
www.rmanam.com
the Delta variant is widely spread within
the entire country, through increased
genomic surveillance.
66 SPOTLIGHT ON MEDICAL
Thursday 29July 2021
J1KEEPING OUR As a pioneer in scientific endeavours, safety is at
the core of everything we do. With this in mind, we
i NATION SAFE
are proud to stand behind the science that
promises to protect our friends, family, colleagues
and the most vulnerable members of our society.
IS A RESPONSIBILITY Together with our sister companies, the De Beers
Group, Namdeb and NDTC, we are pledging N$26
WE ALL SHARE.
million toward helping Namibia protect and
vaccinate against COVID-19.
DO YOUR PART
Herd immunity is the solution to end this
pandemic..
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Thursday 29July 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
7
Time to Take Mental
Well-being Seriously
Mental health issues are often spoken about as if and I am glad that I reached out for assistance.
they are something that others must deal with and Dealing with mental illness is not a process that has
suffer from. Certain people seem immune. But in a beginning and an end.
reality no one is. Some people are just good at hiding We must embrace the notion of mental wellness in
their feelings. much the same way as we have embraced the idea of
I personally at various stages in my life and career working on our physical wellness. It’s a continuous
experienced spells of anxiety and even depression. process.
The sooner people realise this, the better. Many During this time of a deadly pandemic, when mental
people put on a brave face, dismiss the problems that health awareness is high on the agenda, it is my
they have or try and make them go away through hope and desire that we can finally start an open
self-medication with alcohol, drugs, or pills. They discussion about the subject in Namibia. We need to
make it look as if outwardly nothing is wrong. The motivate people to examine their mental health and
inner turmoil that everyone faces should not be be healthy individuals mentally, as well as physically.
bottled up, which is something I learned through There should be no stigma around seeking assistance
personal experience. when faced with mental challenges. It can do wonders
But, how do you access help if you’ve never done so for your work and life balance and for your general
before, especially considering it is not something well-being.
that is spoken about? Where do you turn to? The We must also be mindful of the challenges people go
internet offers some pointers, but the sheer volume through at work, in their home life and realise that
• JOHN STEYTLER down and not dealing with them is the worst way
of approaching one’s mental well-being. of information leaves people feeling even more not everyone is built the same. Be kind to each other
Even before Covid-19 became an issue, people confused. A strong support structure in the form and check in on your friends, family and co-workers.
Mental health is a subject which is not discussed a of friends and family really helps. Make it a habit and lend a listening ear. A simple sign
faced daily challenges with certain socio-economic
lot in Namibia. In fact, there are very few places in Sometimes, you just need a professional though. A of support can mean so much. I am reminded daily,
events and issues. The pandemic has put mental
the world where healthy, open and frank discussions psychologist who can assist in shaping those thoughts that we do not know the battles that other people
health and awareness on everyone’s agenda. As
about mental health take place. and redress the mental health balance. I have are going through. An encouraging word or gesture
humans we are used to living in a way that is not
However, in Namibia it seems more of a taboo subject consulted a psychologist on more than one occasion, can do so much to uplift fellow Namibians, during
conducive to a positive mindset. The lack of touch,
than in many other countries. Especially amongst when I was challenged with difficult questions in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic
the lack of interaction, the lack of connection, the
men. Women talk and share their feelings and my life. I must admit that I was scared about what hardships.
lack of daily routine has tipped the scales on our
emotional state of mind a lot more freely, while men people and my family would think if I consulted a
delicately balanced lives and mental health, and
tend to grunt and move on. Pushing your feelings “shrink”. But at the end it was not a bad experience, *Written by Dr. John Steytler in his personal capacity.
not in a good way.
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68 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
Thursday 29July 2021
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from GC Medical
Photos: Contributed
TRAINING ... Justina Shilongo conducting training on ventilation. MANAGEMENT ... Dirk Oppermann and Mark Wilson make up the management team.
G
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Thursday 29July 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
9
Bridging the Healthcare Divide
Saves Lives
I
• CELIA SOFIA STEPHANUS
N December 2019, Covid-19 became something
for the world to worry about. It was no longer
something that was just happening in Asia. Our
globally connected world meant that the virus
was as mobile and travelled just as its hosts did
across the world.
As we all know now, Covid-19 spread quickly
an indiscriminately, crippling nations like Italy,
Spain and slowly the rest of Europe. In Namibia,
“ Access to clean water and
- Celia Sofia Stephanus
“
sanitation - it’s imperative to
have access to the latter, to beat
Covid-19.
we watched and assumed we were being spared
the worst and for a while we were. However,
as we look upon our situation now, we realise
that not only have we not been spared, we are
being severely tested and our infrastructure,
our steadfastness as Namibians are creaking
and close to buckling under the pressure of
this onslaught.
We will, however, not break, but it will require
a supreme effort from us all and will demand
a collective front against this pandemic. This
virus does not allow us to leave anyone behind.
As a registered nurse and someone who has in
the past administered vaccines, I have personally
seen how necessary basic healthcare is. How we
need to be prepared for the unexpected. A virus
does not announce and see if it is convenient to
wreak havoc on a nation’s healthcare system. As
Namibians we often look at Europe and the US
with admiration and assume their healthcare
system can manage anything. However, it
quickly became apparent in 2020 that this was
not the case.
Countries with unrestraint access to clean
water, with almost zero hunger, a well-educated
populace, with good infrastructure and access
to excellent healthcare were all buckling and
creaking under the pressure that Covid-19
brought to bear. Just as we are now during the
‘third wave’ that we are experiencing in Namibia.
The Western nations quickly regrouped and
pitched funds at the problem, resources were
freed up within a matter of days and weeks. They
increased hospital capacity, bought vaccines,
spent money on research for the vaccines and
were able to or upgrade their infrastructure to
manage the pandemic. This is what we should
be doing globally, but as we know, there has
always been a divide.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) were borne out of this necessity
to create a fairer and more equitable world for
all nations. Something that in times of crisis
shows us all how unequal things really are and
why the implementation of the goals is so vital.
It is also one of the drivers of Namibia’s National
Planning Commission, and part of its remit is
to sensitise our nation to the SDGs.
The 17 different SDGs are all interlinked in
one way or another, and if all are in place they
will contribute to a healthy, peaceful and just
society that fulfils the needs of its citizens. For
example, if you look at the 6th SDG, “Access to
clean water and sanitation”, it’s imperative to
have access to the latter, to beat Covid-19. But
so are the other SDGs dealing with providing
industry, innovation and infrastructure, as well
as zero hunger and good health and well-being.
for the purpose of this article, SDG 10 may be
the most important of all: Reduce Inequalities.
This is what it boils down to. As per the goals of
Vision 2030, Namibia stands ready to improve
the quality of life of her citizens to the levels of
her counterparts in developed countries, that are
prosperous, and industrialised, and which have
human capacities and the financial resources
available to scale up when needed to enjoy
sustained peace, harmony and political stability.
We need to focus on bridging the ‘healthcare
divide’ everywhere, not just in Namibia, but
across the globe. As we have seen that in this
hyper-connected world, no country or its
population lives under a protective force field,
safe from Covid-19, or future pandemics.
Without making the world more equitable for
everyone by implementing the UN’s SDGs, we
will be resigned to relive this present pandemic
time and again in the future.
* Celia Sofia Stephanus is a senior technical
advisor for the SDG-I Namibia Project in the
National Planning Commission, Office of the
President.
6
10 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
Thursday 29July 2021
Unpacking The Myths
Around Covid-19 Vaccines
Photo: Jon Tyson on Unsplash
A new world normal.
• FREDERICO LINKS disinformation had been largely left unchallenged microchips
T
by health authorities, with the consequence that in humans;
ELL him we don’t listen to the media tides of lies had swept through and polluted the Covid-19 was a
anymore. We have to listen to ourselves public information sphere. hoax engineered by
and we trust in God,” was the message So, according to Afrobarometer, by the time Bill Gates and ‘Big
relayed to me through my mother-in-law by an Namibians were called upon, in March 2021, to Pharma’ to profit off
old woman over the mobile phone. queue to get vaccinated against Covid-19, about fake vaccines; Covid-19
She was a close friend of my mother-in-law who, half of them said they wouldn’t and two-thirds vaccines were sub-
along with the rest of her family, had joined the believed prayer was a more effective intervention standard and dangerous
ivermectin-to-treat-Covid-19 craze that swept than any vaccine against the disease. because corners were cut in Photo: Hakan Nural on Unsplash
Namibia during the devastating ‘third wave’ their development and approval;
of infections from May-July 2021. She wasn’t COMMON THEMES Covid-19 vaccines were a way for
interested in being vaccinated and she couldn’t The steady social media and mobile messaging corrupt global elites to engineer mass To be or not to be vaccinated?
be persuaded. enabled disinformation bombardment since mind-control in order to disenfranchise
Like many Namibians, she was probably getting Covid-19 went global in January 2020. ordinary people, and; Covid-19 vaccines
most of her information about the pandemic Namibia was not uniquely afflicted, but was were either poisonous or useless. 4) target specific populations such as the local
through friends and family WhatsApp groups, part of a globalised disinformation storm that An especially tractable viral theme on the African community and healthcare workers; 5) mandate
and from what I could gather, most of it was accompanied the fast spreading Sars-CoV-2 continent over the last year or so has been one vaccinations or impose some type of sanction
misinformed. virus step-for-step around the world. It was an that Covid-19 vaccines were meant to depopulate for non-vaccination; 6) employ reminder and
The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the unheralded communication crisis that the UN the continent. follow-up; and 7) engage religious or other
fact that mutual misinforming – people basically Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation While these themes have found expression in influential leaders to promote vaccination in
spamming each other, friends and family with (Unesco) dubbed the “disinfodemic” in April various ways and waves since early 2020, they’ve the community”.
falsehoods – was a prevalent and problematic 2020. clearly been resurgent since the global Covid-19 Furthermore, WHO showed that in order to
phenomenon enabled by social media and mobile By June 2020, viral anti-vaccine propaganda vaccine rollout commenced in January 2021. achieve a positive mind shift towards vaccines,
messaging platforms. and conspiracy theories had become central to “the introduction of education initiatives,
This was already clear by mid-2020, for in the ‘disinfodemic’, according to a multi-country SUCCESSFUL RESPONSES particularly those that embed new knowledge
July 2020, I observed in a briefing paper that study conducted across the European Union Only as the Covid-19 ‘third wave’ rolled over into a more tangible process, were most successful
“Namibian social media users have on the whole (EU). And in July 2020, Namibia Fact Check Namibia in May-June 2021 did it seem to dawn on at increasing knowledge and awareness and
demonstrated a concerning susceptibility to reported that anti-vaccine disinformation had health authorities that there was a long-brewing changing attitudes”.
viral Covid-19 related lies, myths, hoaxes and become prominently prevalent in Namibian information crisis undermining the vaccination For Namibia, some of these interventions, while
conspiracy theories”. social media spaces. drive that promised to be the way out from under welcome, may have come too late to stem the
And it was also clear that despite “increasing So, by the time Namibian health authorities endless cycles of Covid-19 devastation. ‘third wave’ vaccine “disinfodemic tide”.
evidence of harm, judging by their responses, rolled out the Covid-19 vaccination drive in So far, the countries that have fared well in However, with Covid-19 set to be around for
it seems that Namibian public health and other mid-March 2021, Namibians had already been terms of vaccine uptake have basically followed a while and the vaccination drive probably
relevant authorities do not adequately recognise exposed to over a year’s worth of vaccine-related lessons shared by the World Health Organisation continuing well into 2023, the tide can still be
or appreciate the current and potential future falsehoods and conspiracy theories. No wonder (WHO) in 2014 to deal with vaccine hesitancy. turned if the harsh lessons have been learned and
threats posed by rampant and pervasive health- then the seemingly widespread expressions of WHO pointed out that “the interventions with the communication and information failures to
related disinformation to Namibian public health vaccine scepticism and rejection by July 2021. the largest positive effect estimates are those date are not repeated.
interventions”. Fuelling this skepticism and rejection were that (not in order of importance): 1) directly
One of those “future threats” is now unfolding: common viral anti-vaccine themes, specifically target unvaccinated or undervaccinated * Frederico Links is the editor of Namibia Fact
Widespread vaccine hesitancy and rejection that: Covid-19 was a hoax to justify a diabolical populations; 2) aim to increase knowledge Check, which is a project of the Institute for Public
stand in the way of Namibia breaking the grip vaccination scheme aimed at global population and awareness surrounding vaccination; 3) Policy Research (IPPR). Namibia Fact Check
of Covid-19. This was because anti-vaccine control; Covid-19 vaccines were a way to implant improve convenience and access to vaccination; can be viewed at www.namibiafactcheck.org.naThursday 29July 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON MEDICAL
11
WHY BANKS SHOULD DO
MORE THAN BANKING
Namibians have been tested on all fronts over
the last two years. Employees working under
constrained circumstances, rising unemployment, “The FirstRand HOPE Fund itself aided in repairing 52 Stiegmeyer beds at
the Intermediate Katutura Hospital; sponsored N$810 000 worth of Personal
increasing poverty, and families and friends Protection Equipment (PPE kits); a 100 units of Emergency Respirator /
decimated by a pandemic that has affected us all. Oxygen Support Systems, and 15 Fever Screening Thermal Cameras valued at
N$1.4 million. Most recently FirstRand’s HOPE Fund will be supporting UNAM
And still, Namibians pitch up, roll up their sleeves with two 3D printing projects, aimed at creating oxygen delivery devices and
and get on with the business of helping others. oxygen concentrator prototypes.
“We also joined the NCCI in bringing oxygen into the country and united with
our fellow banks through the Bankers Association of Namibia, by pledging an
Mines delivering oxygen to hospitals, Hospitality companies opening vaccination additional N$500 000 towards government’s efforts to conquer this pandemic.”
centres, equal rights organisations making counselling services available, and To enhance the testing capabilities in our country, FirstRand Namibia also paid for
banks and financial institutions, equipping hospitals and frontline hospital staff, the conversion of a container into a testing container for NIP at Walvis Bay.
funding transport for health supplies, and innovating on credit policies to assist
customers to get the help they need for themselves and for their businesses. “We believe that economic recovery can only take place if herd immunity
with vaccinations is achieved. That is why our Executives committed to being
“We are proud to be part of the incredible cooperation by big corporates, vaccinated and are sharing their stories on social media. We have to get on top
small and medium companies and individuals who have worked together and of this pandemic first, before we can start tackling other issues in this country
collaborated, to assist in numerous ways in these unprecedented times,” says again, such as housing, poverty alleviation and overall economic recovery. A
Conrad Dempsey, CEO of FirstRand Namibia (FNB, RMB, Ashburton and responsible business is a people’s business first.”
WesBank). “We are honoured to be amongst so many like-minded Namibians
who have all set aside their own interests and pulled together to assist With an increase of vaccination facilities within the country, the Vaccines for Hope
government and the country as a whole.” Coalition and FNB Namibia, will be supporting the Gondwana-led drive-through
vaccination facility at the Windhoek Show Grounds, as well as the OmniCare
“FirstRand Namibia’s support to curb the pandemic started early in 2020 Trust and Lady Pohamba vaccination facilities, paying towards three months of
and while we all thought we needed two weeks to flatten the curve, we are operational costs to enable these service providers to help Namibians fight back.
now looking at two years and our thinking had to get a lot bigger to assist in
stemming the latest devasting wave of Covid-19 infections and deaths.” “As a group we work from the basis that a mass vaccination campaign can
meaningfully address the pandemic. There is a direct correlation between the
As a full-service financial institution, of course the group did everything it could outlook for economic recovery in countries that have managed to get on top of
to ensure that branches and its frontline workers and customers could remain the pandemic and those who have not – meaning double digit recovery versus
safe by making certain digital banking channels more accessible (banking via low single digit recovery.”
countrywide retail stores as an example), affordable (cheaper on FNBApp than in
branch), and always available 24/7, that’s a given. And the group also assisted Dempsey notes that getting vaccinated and kickstarting the economy again
customers with loans, helping to maintain working capital, cover losses and was also dependent on morale and business confidence. “Living with the
ensure sustainability of businesses and large corporates (RMB) wherever possible. pandemic and in lockdowns for two years has been challenging and tough
on our people’s psyche. The constant fear kills creativity and people’s ability
But the responsible business group also created the HOPE (Health Optimisation to meaningfully contribute to the economy. It would be great to be able to go
in a Pandemic Emergency) Fund last year through which N$10 million was back to life, doing fun human things and enjoying life and the people around
made available to MOHSS to assist in the fight against COVID19 spread. This us. Helping to provide access to vaccinations and functioning health care
year FirstRand facilitated the Vaccines for Hope platform encouraging private facilities is at least as important as delivering supportive financial services.”
sector to stand together in support of the MOHSS vaccination roll-out plan and
administered more than N$12 million in funds into MOHSS support from a number Dempsey thanked the many true heroes out there who were operating behind
of large corporates (amongst others, Hollard and NinetyOne N$5m each, Old the scenes without acknowledgement and fanfare. “There are lots of smaller
Mutual N$1m, and FirstRand with an additional N$1m) into the Vaccines for Hope businesses and individuals who are hands-on in these crises’ times. They,
campaign. But not only funds were offered by the large group of stakeholders to me, are the true heroes.” In conclusion he added that overcoming this
the CSI team of FirstRand brought together. Bed nights at far-flung lodges for pandemic was in the hands of each and every Namibian citizen. “Please make
vaccination teams, education campaigns from NGO’s, transport services for good decisions every day, get the correct information on which to base your
supplies and vaccination teams, and volunteer support countrywide helped to educated decision. We are a small country and we need every Namibian to be
make things happen on the ground. healthy. Please take care of yourself, and if you can – someone else too.”
From left to right are: Front Row: Dr Nelago T.
Amugulu, Revonia Kahivere – FirstRand Corporate Shani Jarmann – OmniCare Trust, Frida
Social Investment Manager, Sister Elizabeth Muteka – OmniCare Trust Operations
Hamwaanyena. Back row: left to right: Asley Director, Bronwen Chase -FirstRand
Haukambe – Chief Admin Officer, Justine Shivute H.O.P.E. Fund Operations Team Leader,
– Control Administrator, Sister Claudia Kamdonde, Hon. Minister Dr. Kalumbi Shangula –
Naleli M Kachele – Chief Engineering Technician, Minister of Health and Social Services,
Ndati Shipanga – Operations Director: Namibia Martin David – Constituency Councillor.
Medical Engineering.
Mr. Ben Nangombe: Executive Director - Ms. Petronella Masabane – Deputy Executive Director and Acting
MHSS, Hon. Esther Muinjangue: Deputy Executive Director, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Hon.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Dr. Esther Muinjangue, Hon. Minister Dr. Kalumbi Shangula – Minister of Bisey Uirab, NCCI President and Elzita
Jason Hailongo: Chief Executive Officer of Health and Social Services, Bronwen Chase – FirstRand H.O.P.E. Fund Beukes, FNB Communications Manager
NaSIA, Ms, Petronella Masabane: Deputy Team Leader and Revonia Kahivere – FirstRand Namibia Corporate
Executive Director – MHSS. Social investment Manager.6
12 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
Thursday 29July 2021
Photos: Contributed
PREPARATION ... NOC’s radiation therapists preparing a patient for treatment on their state- CANCER CARE … Operations, services and staff for the care of cancer
of-the-art linear accelerator. cases in Namibia are being tested by the Covid pandemic.
Cancer Care Even More Critical During Covid-19
• ADAM HARTMAN patient movement has become a challenge due to pharmacy, psychosocial support, and paediatric
“
travel restrictions, and more so the fear and risk of oncology.
W
ITH more than 3 700 new cancer cases Covid-19 infection in patients with compromised The centre also has a chemotherapy facility
annually in Namibia, professional immune systems. at Swakopmund and is constructing a second
support systems such as the Cancer “We have had to resort to tele-counselling to radiotherapy facility in Khomasdal.
Association of Namibia (CAN) and the Namibian remain in contact with patients nationwide. “Not only have almost all of our staff been affected
Oncology Centre (NOC) must be well-equipped to We have picked up that depression and anxiety, by Covid-19, but we see our patients fearful to travel
ensure patients are properly cared for – especially dips in patient physical and mental health, and to Windhoek to our facility for treatment due to
during global events such as the Covid-19 treatment outcomes, have suffered. We have also the stigma created around the virus. Many patients
pandemic.
While the pandemic and its emergency response
been monitoring the alarming numbers of patients
who have either had cancer, or are currently on
have delayed their treatments and unfortunately
their cancer progresses during this time, often We have come a
have affected patients’ well-being, it has also
impacted care facilities’ staff and operations.
treatment, succumbing to Covid-19 complications
due to their immune systems being already
leading to more severe disease that requires more
intense intervention,” explained Van Wyk. long way in terms of
access to care and
CAN was established about 50 years ago, primarily compromised,” he said. The fact that most hospitals have suspended their
to create awareness of cancer, but has developed Hansen explained that when the body’s immune elective surgery lists (only emergency surgeries
specialized health
to include various supportive projects. NOC, mechanism is already compromised by cancer are performed), has also impacted the care of
established in 2015, has come alongside CAN, and the subsequent treatment thereof, the higher cancer patients.
resulting in a stronger support system for cancer
patients and their dependants.
“We have come a long way in terms of access to
care and specialised health services in Namibia,
but more needs to be done,” NOC general manager
Anthea van Wyk told The Namibian.
The Namibia National Cancer Registry indicates
that 75% of cancer cases need active treatment. All
vulnerability of the patient to be diagnosed with
Covid-19 creates additional panic, which in turn
compromises the immune system further.
The CAN CEO said the need to decentralise critical
support and medical services, and the capacitating
of regional medical workers, are some of the critical
lessons learned from the pandemic.
“We cannot have regional patients being deprived
“The knock-on effect of this is that we are seeing
more severe, late-stage cancers,” she said.
Van Wyk said it has also been extremely challenging
to have the centre’s specialised equipment serviced
and maintained, with significant delays in receiving
spare parts for equipment, certain medicines
and even in the appointment of new staff. Most
radiotherapy staff are expatriates as there is no
done.
“
services in Namibia,
but more needs to be
cancers, however, require some form of therapy, of medical care because all key services are only training available in Namibia.
whether it is surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, available in Windhoek, which is often the pandemic She said NOC staff ’s mentality has also been - Anthea van Wyk
targeted therapy or hormonal therapy, or a hotspot,” Hansen said. challenged with a significant increase in burnouts,
combination of these. NOC, being the first comprehensive cancer care despite concerted efforts to keep staff mentally
CAN is a welfare organisation fully dependent on its facility of its kind in Namibia, is not spared of the healthy. Patients also suffer through very lonely
own fundraising. It has therefore been a challenge impact of Covid-19. periods in hospital due to the restrictions imposed
to keep its National Cancer Outreach Programme, Patients diagnosed with cancer have complex on visitors.
Patient Financial Assistance Programme and needs and each patient’s treatment is unique. “A huge component of cancer care is psychosocial
interim homes fully supportive of cancer patients NOC created a care facility that offers a wide support and it has been very challenging to be able
due to budget cuts brought about by the Covid-19 range of the most common and advanced cancer to offer this to our patients and their families under
pandemic. treatments available through their five full-time the current restrictions,” Van Wyk said, adding
Most of CAN’s patients (about 80%) are state clinical and radiation oncologists. Services include that it was essential that Namibia becomes more
patients, and its services are geared towards helping radiotherapy (including brachytherapy for prostate self-reliant – less dependent on neighbouring
financially vulnerable Namibians. cancer), chemotherapy, an in-patient ward for countries – for critical services such as healthcare,
CAN chief executive officer Rolf Hansen said round-the-clock care, a specialised oncology in order to adapt to a pandemic scenario.Thursday 29July 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
13
Photos: German Embassy, Windhoek
WELCOME RELIEF … EU ambassador to Namibia Sinikka Antila (second left),health STATE-OF-THE-ART … Germany ambassador Herbert Beck, together with Fabian Martens
minister Kalumbi Shangula, deputy priminster Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, German from E.M.A, inspecting the special equipment for the new Covid-19 ambulance.
ambassador Herbert Beck, receiving the 65 tonnes of medical supplies donated by Germany.
Friends of Namibia Chip in with Vaccines, Supplies
• TABBY MOYO have been pledged to Namibia by the German 8 July. The donation was received by Netumbo transport to hospital. This service is primarily for
government. Nandi-Ndaitwah, deputy prime minister people who are without medical aid and unable
N
AMIBIA’S international friends have come The Republic of Finland delivered 2,3 million and minister of international relations and to afford emergency medical services. E.M.A
forth to help lighten the burden of fighting face masks, testing swabs and protective gear cooperation, Kalumbi Shangula, minister of provides a rapid-response emergency medical
the Covid-19 pandemic by pledging and and equipment, while Norway pledged 3,2 health and social services, German ambassador service comprising immediate medical care
donating vaccines and other materials through million face masks, 3 million gloves and a million to Namibia Herbert Beck, and European Union by trained professionals and onward transfer
the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. protective gowns. Belgium pledged to donate 125 ambassador to Namibia Sinikka Antila. The to a recognised medical facility. It services all
The United States of America has pledged to 600 face masks. items donated have an overall value of 11 2 Windhoek locations, including the informal
donate 168 000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson Responding to the kind gesture by Namibia’s million euros (about N$190 million) and have settlements. With the specially equipped ICU
vaccine to Namibia, while Germany delivered international partners, president Hage Geingob been handed over to the ministry of health and ambulance for Covid-19 cases, E.M.A will
one of three consignments consisting of 300 said: “We thank our friends for these acts of social services for further distribution. Germany complement the already existing emergency
000 protective gowns; 60 high-care beds; 40 solidarity. After all, the world will only be further handed over a special ambulance and service of the ministry of health and the City of
000 rapid tests; 20 000 protective eyewear and safe for all of us, once all nations of the world medical equipment to the Emergency Medical Windhoek by providing rapid-response medical
500 000 face masks. have defeated Covid-19”. An Antonov AN225 Assistance organisation (E.M.A.) to assist service. Ambassador Antila said the gesture by
A further 15 million masks, 50 ventilators and carrying 65 tonnes of medical supplies donated vulnerable community members by providing the EU member states was a demonstration of
an undisclosed amout of Astra Zeneca vaccines by Germany arrived in the country on Thursday free access to emergency medical treatment and EU solidarity in the face of the pandemic.
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14 SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE
Thursday 29July 2021
Frontline Workers
Scramble for PPE
• SHELLEYGAN PETERSEN ,and healthcare workers were left with a risky
situation.
H
EALTHCARE workers describe personal Namibia confirmed the presence of the Delta
protective equipment (PPE) as their variant which saw cases soaring to over 2 000,
guard from the virus when they are hard and deaths of over 100 reported in one day.
at work trying to save the lives of patients who Nurses from the Windhoek Central Hospital told
are fighting Covid-19. The Namibian that they feel safe once they have
However, in the middle of the third wave which their eight-piece PPE set on before they head
was driven by the Delta variant, nurses were into the Covid-19 intensive care unit (ICU) to
running out of PPE and were left to attend to assist their patients.
patients who they described as vulnerable to “We feel safe because we have PPE but our
catching the virus. colleagues in the wards are struggling to get
Photos: James Jamu
The international community came to Namibia’s them [PPE],” said one of the healthcare workers.
rescue with multiple donations of PPE and other Those who did not work in the Covid-19 intensive
medical supplies along with equipment. care unit (ICU) had masks and gloves but no LIFE OR DEATH … Healthcare workers who work with Covid-19
This vulnerable time was before multiple suits, even for 12 hour shifts. patients describe personal protective equipment (PPEs) as their
donations from countries and companies “We only have the normal gowns which guard from the virus.
don’t cover our entire bodies. lives are protected.
Furthermore, there are no The situation of the lack of PPE
bathrooms provided for us to is beyond our control, because
clean up afterwards, so we are it’s a crisis all over the country,
getting into cars and taxis with not only at Oshakati,” he said.
those contaminated clothes,” He appealed to the business
they told The Namibian. community in the north to
They also said there are no come to the hospital’s rescue.
isolation facilities for healthcare Some nurses and cleaners at
workers who test positive ,so the Katutura State hospital
they are exposing themselves told The Namibian that during
to their colleagues and patients. last year’s lock down there were
“This includes exposure during insufficient PPE and cleaners
procedures,” they added. uniforms which made it hard
Despite complaining to the for both nurses and cleaners
hospital superintendents, they to execute their duties as
were told that they were not expected.
ordering the PPE on time or This year there seems to be an
they were being wasteful. improvement with PPE being
Similarly, nurses and doctors brought to them unlike the
at the Oshakati Intermediate previous year when they only
Hospital in the Oshana region used to have gloves and masks
are scrambling for PPE, as PPE.
reusing what they have as the Recently, the medical interns
country’s third Covid-19 wave wrote a letter to Shangula
T OUR NEW STREAM DEVICES
• Jere-Dean Pharmacy serving the community of surges. saying they were expected to
IRECTLY WITH YOUR They say they are in desperate work without PPE in state
Rehoboth
HONE AND TV
for 11 years. Hör-Erleben
need of masks, gloves and hospitals.
• We can proudly say that we are always well stocked gowns.
Nurses at the hospital say they
“The ongoing issue with the
lack of PPE continuously puts
with all chronic medications as well as supplements are forced to wear the same the medical interns at high risk
masks for days and even of contracting Covid-19 and
especially during this pandemic. weeks.Acting hospital other infectious diseases.
g T est
• We have a Registered Nurse from 09h00 to 12h00 on
g e valuation, f ittings and f ine tuning
superintendent Asumani
Kibandwa said the hospital
It is a fact that medical personnel
including medical interns are
Mondays,
b utor of Hansaton Wednesdays and Fridays for immunization
/ R eso und / Interton is experiencing a shortage increasingly contracting the
of PPE due to the rising virus while on duty.
and
selection of Hearing aids related services, number of Covid-19 cases, However, personal funds are
fr ee trial• periodWe
- try befare oreavailable
you buy for emergency services 24/7 and the hospital is receiving used to cover medical bills due
an overwhelming number of to no medical aid coverage,”
cted with all Medical Aids patients on a daily basis. the interns stated in the letter.
Contact Numbers: 081 200 7690 or 081 298 3445
“Our Covid-19 ward is full This came as minister of health
of patients, and we are still and social services Kalumbi
receiving more patients. Shangula told The Namibian
We are trying our best to during an interview recently
control the situation and make that they do not have a problem
sure our healthcare workers’ with the availability of PPEs.
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