This year the World Health Day was commemorated in Rundu, Kavango East Region under the theme “My health, my right” championing the right of everyone, everywhere to have and enjoy access to quality health care services, health education and information. The theme further emphasis access to safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination as key determinants of health.
 
Honorable, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services said that the day   aims to mobilize global, national and community efforts to improve health awareness, change social behaviours and increase adequacy of health awareness efforts.   Dr Shangula said that the government of Namibia is committed to live up to the spirit of the World Health Day by availing resources to promote and sustain good health status of its citizens. He tabled a budget of NAD 10 891 017 000 for new fiscal year and a substantive percentage is dedicated to increasing provision of primary and tertiary health care and increased access to health care for the most vulnerable. 
 
He further informed the public that the government is investing its resources to respond to the increasing malaria cases in endemic regions with over 6,000 cases reported between January and March The number of hospitalized cases and deaths reported so far has more than doubled, compared to what was reported during the same period last year.  The government is deploying evidence-based tools and interventions to mitigate the increasing number of cases including anti-malaria medicines, Long-Lasting Insecticide treated Nets, Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS).  He urged the community leaders and members   to work with government to adopt behaviors that minimize the risk of infection and increase survival rates.
 
Speaking at the same occasion was Dr Mary Brantuo, WHO Namibia Officer-in-Charge, who said that this year’s World Health Day concluded the WHO 75th Anniversary celebrations, and still presents the global and local public health community an opportunity to take stock of key achievements and challenges of the past 7 decades and find innovative ways in addressing contemporary health issues such as the COVD 19 pandemic experienced recently. She applauded the Namibian government’s efforts to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The country is reforming its health policies and revamping legislative and regulatory frameworks, including that for Universal Health Coverage.
 
Dr Brantuo concluded by reaffirming WHO’s commitment to working with the Namibian government to strengthen health governance, combat discrimination and inequalities in health. She said that WHO will continue to collaborate across sectors on bold solutions toward the universal coverage of high-quality health care for everyone, everywhere.