New Era

WINDHOEK - Over a thousand experts that specialise in HIV/AIDS from around the world are expected to converge on Windhoek next week for a five-day meeting.

The gathering will focus on the implementation of programmes on this malady.

The meeting will be held under the theme "Optimising the Response: Partnership for Sustainability". President Hifikepunye Pohamba is expected to officially open the meeting next Wednesday.

The meeting will create an information-sharing platform for implementers, a step that will create an impact on different countries' programmes for the coming year.

Some of the topics to be discussed during include the impact of the financial crisis on HIV/AIDS programming, maternal health, male circumcision, understanding the cost of treatment scale-up and HIV/AIDS behind bars (programme for incarcerated population).

Scaling up HIV diagnosis in infants and children, programmes addressing mobile and uniform populations as well as the puzzle of prevention are other issues that will dominate the discussion.

Namibia has made some strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS with the 2008 HIV Sentinel Survey showing a drop in the prevalence rate in the country.

The survey conducted every two years found that the prevalence rate has dropped to 17.8 percent from 19.9 percent in 2006.

The declining numbers are attributed to an improvement in the adoption of protective behaviour measures especially a cut in the number of partners and increased condom use.

For Namibia to host such a meeting, " It is the confidence by development partners that both financial and human resources are being put to good use", commented the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi.

He added that in terms of indicators, Namibia has shown most UN agencies it has made progress in responding to HIV/AIDS problems.

Last year, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) HIV/AIDS chief, Jimmy Kolker, visited the country and expressed satisfaction at the government's efforts to ensure universal access for all HIV/AIDS patients in need of anti-retroviral treatment.

Kolker, based in New York, visited different health centres in northern Namibia.

Reports show the Ministry of Health and Social Services' Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme has gained momentum in reaching women.

Statistics indicate 78 percent of pregnant women are offered PMTCT at their first antenatal clinic visit, while 85 percent of women who are found to be HIV positive receive ARV prophylaxis.

The number of Namibians living with HIV/AIDS is estimated at 204Â 000, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

It is estimated that this year saw14Â 000 new infections with 39 cases being recorded on a daily basis.

Cumulative death toll as of March 2008 stood at 3Â 790.

The majority of HIV-positive are people aged between 15 and 24 and mostly women.

The meeting, which runs from June 10 to 14, will be sponsored by the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund, UNAIDS, UNICEF, the World Bank, WHO and the Global Network of People Living with HIV.

Meanwhile, despite so many people expected to jet into Namibia in the face of the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak that rocked most continents, Namibia will have no special screening mechanisms in place such as thermal cameras.

"No (special) screening will take place. We will use the usual forms they can fill in. We are aware a lot of people will be coming but there is nothing we can do", said the Chairperson of the National Health Emergency Management Committee, Dr Jack Vries.

On Friday, the ministry stationed environmental health assistants and nurses at the airport. They are responsible for handing out traveller's cards that contain questions relating to the flu.

The flyers contain information on the symptoms and other important information about Influenza A (H1N1) disease. Visitors are expected to keep this "medical flyer" and watch out for any symptoms.

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