Statement by Hon. Dr Richard Nchabi Kamwi, MP, Minister of Health and Social Services EBOLA HEAMORRHAGIC FEVER 15 August 2014 Following the declaration on the 8th August 2014 by Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, classifying the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, it is our duty to act in the best interest of the citizens of our country. West Africa is experiencing the largest, most severe and most complex outbreak of Ebola virus disease in history. Since March this year, the Ebola virus has killed more than 1000 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. It is important to note that despite the virus being highly infectious, Ebola outbreak can be contained using available interventions like early detection and isolation, contact tracing and monitoring, and adherence to rigorous procedures of infection control. However, and most importantly, despite three affected countries dealing with Ebola: Namibia does not fall in the category of high risk countries for transmission of the Ebola virus. It is very unlikely that the Ebola virus will reach Namibia. The Governments of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone work closely with the international health community to contain the spread of this disease within the three affected countries. But we know that the disease has spread to Nigeria, despite the fact that the risk of infection for travelers is very low since person-to-person transmission results from direct contact with the body fluids or secretions of an infected symptomatic patient. Since mid-July, the Ministry of Health and Social Services convenes weekly meetings of the National Emergency Health Committee in order to take all the necessary precautions for the unlikely event that the Ebola virus may reach Namibia. The health authorities are following closely the international health regulations issued by the World Health Organization. The Committee has undertaken active measures such as thorough surveillance of each traveler at our points of entry such as Hosea Kutako International Airport, Walvis Bay port and Oshikango border post. We will be continuing with training and sensitization of our health workers, as part of measures to increase our vigilance and preparedness for this disease. We are acquiring thermal detectors which will be assembled and commissioned at Hosea Kutako International Airport, Walvis Bay Airport and Port and the Oshikango Border Post. We are also acquiring more protective clothing for our Health Practitioners. I would like to thank the Hon Minister Finance for providing resources in this regard promptly. In times like this, we need intersectoral collaboration to face this dangerous outbreak. Thus, I call upon all Government sectors, as well as community, religious and political leaders, to work together to increase awareness of the Ebola situation in order to ensure optimum preparedness and response. Recently, it came to our knowledge that some Namibians are travelling to Ebola affected countries for mass gatherings like religious congregations, sports, conferences, etc. Visiting Ebola affected countries will put us at risk of getting the infection and spreading the disease to Namibia. Therefore, I strongly advise that no Namibian should take the risk of travelling to the affected countries, thereby getting infected and upon return infect other fellow Namibians. We do not need to panic but let us not be complacent and ensure that our emergency response system is well functioning and protective medical equipment are well stocked up in case of the unlikely event of the virus coming south. As a result of the above, I had consulted with my Principals - His Excellency the President, the Rt. Hon Prime Minister, my senior colleagues, the Hon Minister of Home Affairs, the Attorney General as well as WHO regarding travel advisory as one of the control measures. I therefore repeat my advice that no Namibian citizen, Permanent Resident as well as those on Temporary Residence should travel to the Ebola affected countries. In addition, I advise those who intend to come to Namibia from Ebola countries not to come here until further notice. This advice does not affect Namibian citizens who are entitled to come back to their country since they are guaranteed such rights in terms of the Namibian Constitution. However, such Namibians will be subjected to strict screening at the port of entry to ensure that they are not infected by Ebola. Those who might be found to be infected shall be subjected to isolation in accordance with WHO guidelines. In this regard I want to appeal for maximum cooperation from fellow Namibians and all residents.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:20:13 +0000
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