Pepfar announces N$840m project for OVCs
• Keeping the youth AIDS-free
Namibia currently stands at 92:99:94 regarding the United Nations' 95:95:95 goal for HIV.
The United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) last week announced a new five-year project aimed at keeping orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) and youth AIDS-free.
Titled ‘Reach Namibia’, the project’s investment will total N$840 million and will provide health services to OVCs in eight regions.
Deputy principal for Namibia, Tamara Cox, said the programme will be managed by Pepfar and implemented by two local organisations - Project Hope Namibia and Intrahealth Namibia.
"I will return to Washington with a good feeling as I know there lies a great future ahead for you. Let us continue working hand in hand for a better and healthier Namibia and an AIDS-free generation," she said.
Cox added that Reach Namibia follows in the footsteps of other successful Pepfar programmes such as the DREAMS project and others for OVCs.
"Children and youth who are made vulnerable by HIV in these regions will experience improved access to health and social services to prevent them from contracting HIV and staying AIDS-free.”
Effective projects
Namibia currently stands at 92:99:94 regarding the United Nations’ 95:95:95 goal for HIV.
It requires 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression by 2025.
Health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe lauded Pepfar for its successful projects in the country.
"The DREAMS project has been so effective and I have attended many functions where we engaged with the DREAMS project where we had adolescent girls and young women speak about their experience with guidance to live healthy lives while living with HIV and AIDS.
“This new project is going to further support these initiatives in the identified regions," he said.
Titled ‘Reach Namibia’, the project’s investment will total N$840 million and will provide health services to OVCs in eight regions.
Deputy principal for Namibia, Tamara Cox, said the programme will be managed by Pepfar and implemented by two local organisations - Project Hope Namibia and Intrahealth Namibia.
"I will return to Washington with a good feeling as I know there lies a great future ahead for you. Let us continue working hand in hand for a better and healthier Namibia and an AIDS-free generation," she said.
Cox added that Reach Namibia follows in the footsteps of other successful Pepfar programmes such as the DREAMS project and others for OVCs.
"Children and youth who are made vulnerable by HIV in these regions will experience improved access to health and social services to prevent them from contracting HIV and staying AIDS-free.”
Effective projects
Namibia currently stands at 92:99:94 regarding the United Nations’ 95:95:95 goal for HIV.
It requires 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression by 2025.
Health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe lauded Pepfar for its successful projects in the country.
"The DREAMS project has been so effective and I have attended many functions where we engaged with the DREAMS project where we had adolescent girls and young women speak about their experience with guidance to live healthy lives while living with HIV and AIDS.
“This new project is going to further support these initiatives in the identified regions," he said.
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