WINDHOEK, April 12– Namibia is stepping up its efforts to combat the rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases, a senior official said Thursday.
“The TB situation in Namibia demands intensified and resolute action. Despite our relatively small population of just over three million, our country is listed as a high TB and high TB/HIV-burden nation by the World Health Organization,” said Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula.
In 2023, Namibia recorded 9,200 TB cases, up from 8,604 cases in 2022, representing a 6.9 percent increase, Shangula said. Namibia ranks 11th globally in terms of the high incidence rate of TB.
This increase underscores the efforts to identify cases and close the treatment gap, and it is crucial that all individuals with TB are identified and promptly put on treatment, he added.
The current TB treatment success rate in Namibia stands at 87 percent, just shy of the 90 percent target, he said.
“We will tirelessly ensure that every person in need of services, irrespective of their socio-economic status or geographic location, has access to quality TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment services,” Shangula affirmed.
He noted that Namibia is actively fulfilling its commitments to combat TB, including developing the 4th National Strategic Plan for TB, integrating TB into key health priorities in national development plans, and establishing the Namibia Parliamentary Caucus on TB.
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