WINDHOEK, 18 MAY 2017 – The newly appointed World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Namibia, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses has this month (08 May 2017) officially presented his credentials to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon. Mrs. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah –who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia.

During a meeting which took place at her office in the capital, Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah warmly remarked that: “we are here to assist our international representatives including the United Nations (UN) agencies.” She then continued to stress the role which WHO played over the years and continues to play in the country. “WHO is a very important organization, in the sense that it helps us as a country in ensuring that we have a healthy nation, and when you have a healthy nation you can do more”, she emphasized.

The Honorable Minister then raised “caesarean section or delivery” as one of the main social issues currently facing the country on which she would continue holding further consultations with the new WHO Representative. She also commended the WHO for the good work it did in supporting the Namibian government to successfully contain the outbreak of Congo-Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) (or Congo Fever as it is commonly known). “I have no doubt you can do it, you are really welcome, and as an African this is your home, so we must all continue to work hard”, she said.

In presenting his credentials, Dr. Sagoe-Moses reacted that: “I thank you for accommodating me despite your busy schedule, and I look forward to working with your government.” He assured the Minister that WHO will continue to support the country especially in the area of health systems strengthening. “We will continue to work with your government to ensure a strong, resilient health system in Namibia, which is built to respond to health emergencies such as the recently contained CCHF”, he said. He added that: “as part of the government’s Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), health systems strengthening through the provision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is certainly the answer; we will continue to support particularly the third pillar of the HPP: Social progression, with the focus on social determinants of health; and you can always come to us.” The Honorable Minister also raised climate change as a challenge which Namibia is fighting. Dr. Sagoe-Moses assured her that WHO will continue to support government’s efforts in addressing climate change challenges. He said environmental consequences of climate change, such as extreme change in temperature can offer suitable conditions for mosquitoes (Plasmodium parasites) and this can affect directly and indirectly the health of humans.

Dr. Sagoe-Moses was in the company of four staff members from the WHO country office in Windhoek, Namibia.

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