The Joint Meeting of Senior Officials of Health and those responsible for HIV and AIDS in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) took place in Windhoek, Namibia the 5 - 6th November 2018 to discuss public health and HIV and AIDS issues aimed at contributing to the attainment of improved quality of life of the people in the Region and community in general.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Services of the Republic of Namibia and Chairperson of the Joint Meeting of SADC Senior Officials of Health and those Responsible for HIV and AIDS, Mr. Ben Nangombe welcomed the delegates to Namibia. He said that Namibia as the current Chair of SADC was pleased to facilitate and lead this annual meeting between the regional health leaders to discuss a range of health issues affecting the SADC Member States including the effects of Malaria outbreak, the status of HIV and AIDS and Tuberculosis.
The meeting also reviewed progress made by Member States in preparation for the Ministers meeting to be held on the 8th November 2018. The SADC Ministers are expected to consider a range of regional strategies and guidelines, as they monitor and provide a collective oversight of the implementation of the regional health agenda as guided by the SADC Protocol on Health and the Regional Indicative Development Plan and the SADC Health Policy.
In addition, on Friday, 9th November 2018, the SADC Ministers of Health and Ministers Responsible for HIV and AIDS will take part in the Commemoration of the SADC Malaria Day to be held in Kayengona Village, Kavango East Region, in Namibia where the Ministers will conduct Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests at a local clinic, household indoor residual spraying, interact, share information and create awareness on malaria.
