Hepatitis E remains a concern
According to Deputy Minister of Health and Social Affairs Esther Muinjangue, more than half of the Namibian population still defecates outdoors, which has a negative impact on public health, especially on children and pregnant women.Muinjangue was speaking at the first commemoration of World Toilet Day in Namibia since its inception by the World Toilet Organisation in 2002 and since its official recognition by the United Nations in 2013.
Since December 2017, a total of 6 517 cases of hepatitis E have been reported in Namibia, of which 55 people died since the outbreak began. According to Muinjangue, poor hygiene practices are among the main causes of these and many other diseases.
Erongo Governor Neville Andre in a speech stressed the need for collective efforts in providing sanitation and hygiene to all Namibians. “Let us invest in infrastructure and sanitation and continue to advocate for hygiene education to ensure universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation,” he said.