Namibia turns to Egypt, Africa CDC for medicine

Cabinet has approved two health agreements related to medical supplies and procurement services in Namibia. The deputy minister of information and communication technology, Wenzel Kavaka, announced this on Thursday as part of the outcomes of the 16th Cabinet meeting held on 2 June. Kavaka said Cabinet endorsed an agreement between Namibia and Egypt in the field of pharmaceutical products and medical devices. He said Cabinet has authorised the Ministry of Health and Social Services to formally sign the agreement on behalf of the government. The agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the supply and management of pharmaceutical products and medical devices. He said Cabinet also approved an agreement between Namibia and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) for the provision of procurement services. The agreement is aimed at supporting the procurement of health products and services through Africa CDC mechanisms. The approvals come as the country continues to face shortages of some essential medicines in public health facilities. Last month, the health ministry said national medicine stock levels stood at about 60%. The shortages prompted concern from president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who in the same month said reports of medicine shortages at public hospitals were giving her sleepless nights. This week, however, the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced the arrival and distribution of 37 medicines that had been in short supply. The ministry’s executive director, Penda Ithindi, says the medicines received between 18 May and 4 June include treatments for hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, epilepsy and other chronic conditions. The post Namibia turns to Egypt, Africa CDC for medicine appeared first on The Namibian .