Windhoek — Namibia's First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba yesterday took receipt of 3 000 'health boxes' on behalf of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/Aids. The boxes contain medical and other illness preventative items such as mosquito nets. The boxes will be distributed to African member states in the fight against HIV/Aids and malaria.

The 'health box' was conceptualised and produced by local Namibian company !Nanseb Holdings. The company says the box is aimed at assisting governments across Africa to provide immune booster products such as fortified porridge, high energy drinks, soups and preventative products such as anti-bacterial residual sprays as well as water purifier drops in a compact box for use by people infected with HIV/Aids, as well as for use in flood and drought relief efforts.

In accepting the donation valued at over N$2.4 million from Trachurus Fishing's Jerome Mouton, Madam Pohamba said "this type of initiative is what the people of Africa need. An African solution to African problems."

She added: "Through effective private and public partnership, good things can happen to all those afflicted by HIV/Aids throughout the African continent."

She said Africa has been and continues to face numerous challenges on the public health front, with mainly the scourge of HIV/Aids continuing to take the lives of millions of people, who would otherwise have been productive citizens contributing to the socio-economic development of their countries. It was estimated in 2010 that about 22.9 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are living with HIV/Aids, and that the average prevalence rate is 5 percent amongst all adults.

"A total of 1.2 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lost their lives due to HIV/Aids with over 12 million children left orphaned across the continent by this disease. Pressure is put on national governments to not only provide the essential anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment to ensure longevity of life for those infected but also to care for those orphaned by this disease," she said.

The donation is to be distributed amongst member countries of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/Aids, whilst the Namibian share of the donation will go to the Organisation for the Empowerment of Widows/Widowers and Orphans of HIV/Aids in Namibia.