Namibia’s Health ministry aims for triple elimination status of eMTCT of HIV, Syphilis, and HBV

NAMIBIA — Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), with the support of the World Health Organization regional office in Africa (WHO-AFRO), is currently hosting a high-level meeting to review programs under its triple Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B virus (HBV).

The World Health Organization regional office in Africa (WHO-AFRO) applauded Namibia as the first high-burden country to apply for triple elimination validation for mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B.

Namibia has prioritized HIV prevention and control and is one of the few countries in sub-Sahara Africa to achieve the UNAIDS HIV treatment cascade of 95-95-95.

The program data indicates that Namibia is also doing well with HBV antenatal testing and antiviral prophylaxis coverage as well as HBV vaccination birth dose for infants.

A team from the Regional Validation Committee is in Namibia to assess if the country will successfully meet the criteria for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and HBV.

The Regional Validation Committee constitutes of members from WHO-AFRO, the United Nation program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), United States Centers for Disease Control (US CDC) and Community-Based Organizations (CSOs).

The Regional Validation Team will be working with the National Validation Committee and aim to consult 4 regions Oshana, Omaheke, Zambezi, and Kharas Regions.

At the opening session of the mission, Mr Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services said that Namibia has attained almost universal testing coverage for HIV and syphilis in Antenatal Care settings and almost all those who test positive for HIV and Syphilis receive treatment.

The program data indicates that Namibia is doing well with HBV antenatal testing and antiviral prophylaxis coverage as well as HBV vaccination birth dose for infants,” Mr. Nangombe added.

Dr. Mary Brantuo, WHO Namibia Officer-in-Charge, said that the Triple Elimination Initiative supports the global commitment to the elimination of mother-to-child or vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

She further said that it had catalyzed maternal and child health services to expand capacity to address vertical transmission.

Dr. Brantuo also encouraged countries to simultaneously commit to EMTCT and further push a harmonized approach for integrated service delivery to improve health outcomes for mothers and children.

Dr. Eager Olyel, Technical Officer for HIV Prevention from WHO AFRO, said that the validation aims to attest that the country has successfully met the criteria of eMTCT.

Dr. Olyel added that these requirements are program and services relating to the availability and accessibility of high-quality ANC services in both public and private health facilities, and laboratory services with reference to internal and external quality assurance.

He added that the proficiency in testing, documenting results, and having a national lab policy a network available, surveillance, and data evaluation that captures public and private data on service delivery and outcomes and can detect most cases of MTCT of HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B.

The fourth requirement is human rights, gender equality, and community engagement which will review how the principles of human rights, and gender equality were considered during implementation and if a positive legal and policy framework is in place.

Their report and recommendations on whether Namibia successfully met the Path to EMTCT validation criteria will be shared with the Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) for further review.

This is in line with the new Global Health Sector Strategy for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs 2022-2030 with a vision to end epidemics and advance Universal Health Coverage, Primary Health Care, and health security in a world where all people have access to high-quality, evidence-based, and people-centered health services.

The national roadmap for the elimination of mother-to-child (vertical) transmission of HIV and Syphilis was launched in 2020 and at launch, the National Validation Committee was inaugurated under the Ministry of Health and Social Services leadership.

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