Frederick Philander
2 December 2004
"ALTHOUGH there are hopeful signs of a decrease in the HIV-AIDS infection rate among our people in some areas in the country, I wish to seriously urge the Nami-bian nation to resist complacency."
This was said in the National Assembly yesterday by Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab in response to a report on the HIV/AIDS pandemic tabled by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Libertina Amathi- la.
"We are still facing a major crisis with regard to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We need to work much harder not only to bring the infection percentage down, but to totally get rid of it. To achieve this goal will demand a lot from the whole nation," the Prime Minister said when adjourning the ninth session of the Namibian Parliament until February 15 next year.
In a ministerial statement Amathila gave a statistical rundown of the pandemic, informing an anxious House on the present state of the infection rate in the country.
"In view of the fact that it's World Aids Day today, I wish to inform this House on the national infection rate. Of the 4 470 pregnant women medically examined by my ministry at 24 selected hospitals and clinics countrywide, only 867 tested positive, a definite decrease from 20% in 2003 to 19,8% this year. A total of 3 305 pregnant women tested negatively," Amathila said to applause of the House.
In Amathila's view pregnant women, as the mothers of the nation, are truthful barometers of the infection rate in the country.
"Notwithstanding the slight downturn, we all should work harder never to ever go back to the 20% mark. In order to maintain this lower national infection percentage we should all emphasise the prevention of AIDS and the constant use of condoms repeatedly 24 hours of each day. If need be, sleep alone," she urged the House and the nation.
She announced that Kati-ma Mulilo in Caprivi is still the town with the highest infection rate.
"Though high at 43%, the situation is beginning to stabilize at the town. We are presently treating 300 HIV/AIDS infected patients at Katima Mulilo. However, there had been slight percentage decreases in the infection rate in some towns in the country," she said.
The towns that showed decreases are Oshakati (30% in 2003, now 25%), Groot-fontein (30% in 2003, now 28%), Tsumeb (25% in 2003, now 16%), Otjiwarongo (25% in 2003, now 17%) and Windhoek (27% in 2003, now 24%). Opowu remained the town with the lowest infection rate at 9%.
"The sad news is that the infection rate among all age groups in Swakopmund has increased alarmingly and dramatically from 16% to 28%. In Walvis Bay the rate remained stable at a high of 27%. One has to bear in mind that there are many sex workers active in both towns. At Run-du, the infection percentage has climbed by 3% from 16% to 19% and Gobabis from 13% to 14%," Amathila said emotionally.
According to her ministry's findings there had been a remarkable decrease of the disease in the age groups 15 years to 44, but an increase of 1% from 12% in 2003 to13% in 2004 among 45-year-olds and older.
"This situation can probably be ascribed to the fact that there had been a marked upswing in sexual activity among members of the older group.
"My advice to such persons is to stick to one partner," she advised.
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