Ben Nangombe – Windhoek Observer

22 Feb

Covid-19 under control – Nangombe

ObserverNational NewsBen Nangombe, Covid-19 under control - Nangombe

Martin Endjala The Executive Director of the Ministry of Health Social and Services Ben Nangombe says that Covid-19 cases remain under control and that no new hospitalizations have been reported across the country. Nangombe expressed that although this is comforting, people should not be complacent as the virus is still around. He has since called or members of the public to be cautious and maintain social distancing. Nangombe was reacting to concerns raised, following a rise of Covid-19 cases reported towards the end of 2022. “Covid-19 is still with us and we will continue monitoring the situation as it unfolds,…

17 Jan

Nangombe denies Engela crisis

ObserverNational NewsBen Nangombe, Engela District Hospital, Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Nangombe denies Engela crisis

Tujoromajo Kasuto Ben Nangombe, Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, has denied allegations made by PDM member of parliament Hidipo Hamata that doctors at the Engela Hospital utilize mobile phone flashlights due to power outages, a lack of sewerage, and a lack of washing services. Hamata further claimed that the hospital’s washing service is inoperable. According to Nangombe, the Engela District Hospital has two standby power generators. “One is fully operational and the other is undergoing maintenance as conductors on one of the generators were burnt during a thunderstorm. According to Hospital Management, there has been…

Water and vector-borne diseases could spread<br>because of flooding

16 Dec

Water and vector-borne diseases could spread
because of flooding

ObserverNational NewsBen Nangombe, City drainage overwhelmed by heavy rainfall, HIV/AIDS

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is advising Windhoek residents to practice effective hygiene measures to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. The ministry is conducting surveillance to detect water and vector-borne diseases. This includes, in particular, data monitoring for diarrheal diseases, vomiting, and water testing after the capital was heavily flooded on Wednesday night. Ben Nangombe, Executive Director of MoHSS, says floods are accompanied by the contamination of safe water sources, which compromises the sanitation of public hygiene. He adds that there is an increased risk of water-borne and vector-borne diseases, these include diarrheal diseases,…

17 Aug

Lack of funds halt many projects in Kavango West

ObserverNational NewsBen Nangombe, Lack of funds halt many projects in Kavango West, National Council, President Hifikepunye Pohamba

Staff Writer The construction of the Nkurenkuru Intermediate Hospital in the Kavango West Region has been on hold for eight years since its ground breaking ceremony which was done by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba in early November 2014. Ministry of Health and Social Services executive director Ben Nangombe said the availability of funds has affected the implementation of the hospital project. “The district hospital has been put on hold; the process had started but due to financial constrains the construction of the regional hospital could not take place. The availability of funds to implement these capital projects has affected that…

22 Jun

Power outage at hospital during surgeries

ObserverNational NewsBen Nangombe, Doctor Nelago Amagulu, Power outage at hospital during surgeries

Staff writer Surgeries were performed with flashlights yesterday at the Katutura State Hospital as the referral health facility experienced powers shortages in some parts. Medical Superintendent, Doctor Nelago Amagulu confirmed the power blackout, saying it lasted for some minutes, but said some surgeries had to continue being done while the power was being restored. “They were some surgeries that were being performed when the power blackout happened and they had to be continued with alternative lighting,” she said. According to Amagulu the earth cables were cut by people who vandalized and informed us that they turned the generator to manual…

08 Jun

Measles outbreak in Omusati

ObserverNational NewsBen Nangombe, Executive Director of the Health Ministry Ben Nangombe, Measles outbreak in Omusati, The Tsandi District

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Ministry of Health and Social Services has confirmed a measles outbreak in the Outapi district, Omusati Region, with 23 suspected cases discovered during surveillance activities of the Omusati Regional Health Directorate investigations. According to the Executive Director of the Health Ministry Ben Nangombe, the majority of the 14 cases are from Outapi District and occurred at a school in Olukekete Village. The Tsandi District had eight and Okahao District one. He stated that five of the cases investigated were laboratory confirmed, while one was classified as compatible after testing equivocal (considered positive) and could not be retested…

08 Jun

Namibia receives condoms, lubricants worth over N$4 million

ObserverNational NewsAIDS Relief (PEPFAR) by USAID’s Global Health Supply Chain Program., Ben Nangombe, Health Ministry Executive Director Ben Nangombe, Namibia receives condoms

Staff Writer Namibia received a donation of condoms and lubricants worth N$4 248 127 from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today. The donations of over 6.9 million condoms and 2.6 million lubricants were received by the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe. The condoms and lubricants were procured with funds from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) by USAID’s Global Health Supply Chain Program. Despite significant advances in the fight against HIV, Nangombe highlighted that some challenges persist, particularly surrounding HIV testing among communities and young people. “With the…

05 Apr

Namibia not protected against Covid outbreak

ObserverUncategorisedBen Nangombe, Namibia not protected against Covid outbreak

Tujoromajo Kasuto Fear has been expressed that Namibia is not ready to withstand a new Covid-19 outbreak because of its low vaccination figures. Public health experts in some areas relaxed its Covid-19 regulations too early and adopted liberal health protocols as the developed world that have over 70 percent of vaccination figures as opposed to Namibia’s just over 20 percent of the targeted population. The Ministry of Health and Social Services is however confident that the Covid-19 health regulations are adequate to withstand an outbreak, while about a three-quarter of the targeted population remain unvaccinated. The Executive Director in the…

24 Mar

Misinformation could lead to loss of lives

ObserverUncategorisedBen Nangombe, Misinformation could lead to loss of lives

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Health and Social Service Executive Director Ben Nangombe has called on the public to ignore misinformation being spread on social media both in voice and note clips by certain individuals against vaccination. The clips have led to public inundating the ministry with clarifications over the last three weeks. Nangombe also revealed that there had been several threats against vaccination teams and regional directors, emanating from the misinformation circulated. The ministry has assured the public that Namibia only uses WHO authorised vaccines for children and adolescents and would only\ introduce other vaccines and medical interventions as…

21 Jan

Namibian men succumbing more to COVID-19 than women

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Namibian men succumbing more to COVID-19 than women

Eba Kandovazu MORE Namibian men have succumbed to COVID-19, in comparison to women, since the global pandemic hit Namibia in March 2020. Until 10 January, a total 3735 Namibians died. Of these, 2044 are men and 1691 are women, the Executive Director (ED) in the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Ben Nangombe, says. Nangombe says an analytical study ought to be conducted, to establish why more men than women are dying due to coronavirus. "One cannot just make assumptions and conclude on the factors contributing to the difference, as this need analytical study to make an informed conclusion.…