Open Angolan border irks Namibians
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
The Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is worried that the country's already limping healthcare system will collapse as Angolans continue to cross the border in search of medical treatment.
This amidst threats of further spreading the deadly coronavirus.
Last Friday, the home affairs ministry issued a directive allowing those classified as border residents to enter Namibia for medical treatment.
The directive issued by the chief of immigration Nehemia Nghishekwa also stipulates that such persons must present themselves to be tested for the coronavirus and must carry yellow fever cards at all times.
Shocking developments
In a statement issued over the weekend, NEFF national coordinator Kalimbo Iipumbu said these are shocking developments, which come just days after both governments announced lockdowns on their respective countries.
“We are concerned that this decision was arrived at without consultation with all relevant stakeholders including parliament. The need for such consultation is paramount because opening up our border during these times places the lives of our citizens at great risk and it remains crucial that such directives are thoroughly interrogated. They cannot be made a responsibility of a single person or institution,” he said.
May suffocate system
Iipumbu added that, at present, Namibia's health facilities are unable to cater to the health needs of its own citizens, yet provisions are made for additional group, which may suffocate the system.
“The NEFF notes that during times when we as a nation are not certain about our own fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, it is suicidal and a gamble with the lives of our people to open up our borders, especially without providing a clear plan of action on how we are to respond if the decision backfires.”
Health workers oppose
Meanwhile, the move has also been opposed by a group of health workers and essential service providers in the Engela district who believe the directive defeats the purpose of the lockdown and state of emergency declared last month.
The group directed a petition to the Ohangwena regional health director John Hango, pointing out that this directive will lead to uncontrollable movement of people in and out of the country on a daily basis and will pose a major risk in the spread of the virus.
“We strongly recommend that this directive be reversed immediately and that the borders remain closed until the official lockdown is over.
“As an alternative, we recommend that healthcare services be provided right there at all the official border entry points to Angolan citizens without allowing them entry into the country during this lockdown,” the petition read.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is worried that the country's already limping healthcare system will collapse as Angolans continue to cross the border in search of medical treatment.
This amidst threats of further spreading the deadly coronavirus.
Last Friday, the home affairs ministry issued a directive allowing those classified as border residents to enter Namibia for medical treatment.
The directive issued by the chief of immigration Nehemia Nghishekwa also stipulates that such persons must present themselves to be tested for the coronavirus and must carry yellow fever cards at all times.
Shocking developments
In a statement issued over the weekend, NEFF national coordinator Kalimbo Iipumbu said these are shocking developments, which come just days after both governments announced lockdowns on their respective countries.
“We are concerned that this decision was arrived at without consultation with all relevant stakeholders including parliament. The need for such consultation is paramount because opening up our border during these times places the lives of our citizens at great risk and it remains crucial that such directives are thoroughly interrogated. They cannot be made a responsibility of a single person or institution,” he said.
May suffocate system
Iipumbu added that, at present, Namibia's health facilities are unable to cater to the health needs of its own citizens, yet provisions are made for additional group, which may suffocate the system.
“The NEFF notes that during times when we as a nation are not certain about our own fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, it is suicidal and a gamble with the lives of our people to open up our borders, especially without providing a clear plan of action on how we are to respond if the decision backfires.”
Health workers oppose
Meanwhile, the move has also been opposed by a group of health workers and essential service providers in the Engela district who believe the directive defeats the purpose of the lockdown and state of emergency declared last month.
The group directed a petition to the Ohangwena regional health director John Hango, pointing out that this directive will lead to uncontrollable movement of people in and out of the country on a daily basis and will pose a major risk in the spread of the virus.
“We strongly recommend that this directive be reversed immediately and that the borders remain closed until the official lockdown is over.
“As an alternative, we recommend that healthcare services be provided right there at all the official border entry points to Angolan citizens without allowing them entry into the country during this lockdown,” the petition read.
[email protected]
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