WINDHOEK – “I want to applaud the Namibian government for taking the bold step to pledge the commitment of reducing child mortality to below 35 per 1 000 live births.”
This was said by renowned South African artist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador on Malaria and Children’s Health, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, at the launch of the Child Survival Strategy and Scaling Up Nutrition Country Implementation Plan at the Hotel Safari in Windhoek yesterday.
The Minister of Health and Social Services Minister, Dr Richard Kamwi and Defence Minister, Nahas Angula as the conveners of the Namibia Alliance for Improved Nutrition (NAFIN) launched the strategy under the theme: A Promise Renewed – Committing to Child Survival in Namibia.
The Strategy was developed by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and UNICEF with inputs by NAFIN.
Chaka Chaka praised Namibia’s commitment to child survival. She called the event a “remarkable milestone” and praised Namibia’s efforts in reducing the child mortality rate to below 35 per 1 000 live births.
This, she said, is indeed a powerful message that Namibia is serious in preventing the infant mortality rate.
According to Chaka Chaka, while Sub-Saharan Africa, which she represents as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador on Malaria and Children’s Health, is behind the other regions it has registered a 39 percent decline in under-five mortality rates, which is a striking success.
The internationally known humanitarian said that what is needed to bring down child mortality rates is inexpensive and straightforward.
This comprises exclusive breastfeeding, bed nets, vaccines, nutritional supplements, rehydration and access to medicine when sick, and mothers giving birth in health facilities or with someone who is skilled by their side to help a newborn baby breathe, stay warm and be breastfed immediately.
While these measures look simple, many challenges remain; she said and continued that communities which are under-serviced need to be targeted to address inequities.
Chaka Chaka also touched on the scourge on violence against children and women. She said that this is a matter of great concern, not only in Namibia, but in other countries as well.
“In the midst of violence and abuse that takes place in our homes, more often than not, children are the ones that bear the brunt of the abuse” she said and continued that community and institutions that prevent violence and protect children are fragmented or weak.
She pledged her unwavering support working in collaboration with the Government of Namibia, UNICEF and other partners to prevent and respond to violence against children and women which have a negative impact on the health and survival of our children.
According to Chaka Chaka, saving the lives of Namibia’s children is an investment in the future of the country.
“Healthy and safe children will have better education, smaller families and have better economic outcomes. Healthy, safe and well-educated families will have healthy, well-educated children” she said and added that a brighter future for Namibia has to start now with all pulling in the same direction. She said that she is proud to be associated with this endeavour from government and made a call for all to work together to keep children alive, nourished, protected and happy.