Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation joins fight against hepatitis E

Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation manager Imme Hucke-Mcfarlane says the impact hepatitis E has had in Namibia highlights the importance to join in the fight against the spread of the disease.“We have all read the stories on the hepatitis E crisis. The foundation views the crisis as a state of emergency, just as it would a flood or fire,” she said.“This overwhelming challenge has made it clear to us that as this is a project where collaboration with experts and organisations who have experience in this field is essential, there is a need for partnership,” Hucke-Mcfarlane said.The foundation is the joint socio-economic development vehicle of Debmarine Namibia and Namdeb Diamond Corporation, which endeavours to leave a lasting diamond legacy on Namibia through partnering with local communities on sustainable projects and initiatives. The foundation operates offices in Windhoek and Oranjemund.The foundation’s project on hepatitis E is aimed at establishing sanitation centres throughout the country.“The programme will establish so-called sanitation centres across Windhoek’s informal settlements, constructing pit latrine toilets to guide residents and local entrepreneurs in constructing such low-cost systems, a system that is anticipated to cost in the region of N$6 000,” said Hucke-Mcfarlane.“It has become apparent that community toilets do not work, they are hard to keep clean and are vandalised easily. It is thus the approach of the project that residents take accountability for their health and build their own toilets that they can look after themselves,” Hucke-Mcfarlane added.Through its work, the foundation would like to achieve what is known as open defecation free zones, Hucke-Mcfarlane said.This will be done by encouragement and training which makes sure residents understand how open defecation affects health and how diseases spread if there is no proper sanitation, Hucke-Mcfarlane further explained.“This project addresses three United Nations global goals – good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation and partnering to achieve the goals,” she added.The Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation further said the project will help support Vision 2030’s objective of ensuring a healthy nation, in which all preventable, infectious and parasitic diseases are under secure control, and in which people enjoy a high standard of living, with access to quality health and other vital services.

Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation joins fight against hepatitis E

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation joins fight against hepatitis E

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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