Namibia

HIV prevalence among adults (ages 15-49) in Namibia is estimated at 13.1% in 2009[1], which is similar to that observed among pregnant women (13.9%)[1]. Among young people (ages 15-24), however, the prevalence is more than twice as high among females (5.8%) than males (2.3%). Between 2009 and 2010, Namibia has seen a 23% decline in the number of new paediatric HIV infections, from 1,500 to 1,100[3].

Namibia’s PMTCT program was first launched in 2002 and much has been achieved since then. HIV testing among pregnant women increased nearly twofold between 2005 and 2010, from 47% to 86%, and over 85% of pregnant women living with HIV received efficacious ARVs for PMTCT in 2011[3].

Namibia has adopted WHO Option A regimen for prophylaxis, and a costed National Strategic Framework for HIV/AIDS (2010-2015) is in place[7,8].

Namibia EMTCT Plan November 2012

The Ministry of Health and Social Services developed the eMTCT Strategy and Action Plan which has been aligned to the global plan for elimination of MTCT; the national Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS Response 2010/11-2015/16; and Roadmap for Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality and PMTCT Rapid review and bottleneck analysis findings. The strategy has clearly defined national targets, impact and outcome results, as well as evidence-based strategies and activities.

The eMTCT strategy runs four years from 2012/2013 and the final reporting period will be 2015/16. Indicators for monitoring the progress of the implementation of the eMTCT strategy are clearly defined and partners are obligated to monitor their pace of achievement using the agreed indicators depicted here. The success of this eMTCT strategy depends on the commitment of all line ministries,development partners, NGOs and communities investing in HIV prevention and care, maternal and neonatal health in the country.

The eMTCT strategy is premised on best practices and cost-effective interventions and it responds to vulnerability in all its forms. I thank all those who, in diverse ways, helped to make the development of this comprehensive elimination plan possible. Elimination of new paediatric infections is possible.

Link to the Namibia Ministry of Health (requires log-in).