REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

PRESS RELEASE

Enquiries: Dr. N. Forster OFFICE OF THE PERMANENT SECRETARY

Tel: 203-2811 1999/05/06

Fax: 227-607

THE EDITOR

Find attached for your perusal a press release by the Ministry of Health and Social Services on the above occasion, as well as copies of the official statements by

1. His Excellency, Dr. Sam Nujoma; and
2. His Excellency, Mr. Kari Karanko, Ambassador of Finland.

Thank you,

His Excellency, Dr. Sam Nujoma, President of the Republic of Namibia, today officially opened the National Health Training Center of the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

The official opening was witnessed by the Honorable Minister for Health and Social Services, Dr. Libertina Amathila, His Excellency Mr. Kari Karanko, Ambassador of Finland to Namibia and other dignitaries. The occasion was further marked by the first graduation ceremony of the Center, at which 240 graduates obtained their degree certificates.

The National Health Training Center was constructed at a total cost of N$ 12 Million, of which the Government of Finland covered 70 percent. It is situated in Mahatma Gandhi Street, Windhoek North, centrally positioned between the Windhoek Central and Katutura State Hospitals.

The Center contains a block with 6 lecture rooms, an administration block, accommodation for 50 students, as well as dining and recreation facilities. The facility was erected over a period of 18 months. The construction project was overseen by a team of Namibian consultants under Bartsch Architects. The contractor was EXPO Construction.

The graduation ceremony included graduates of the following courses: Enrolled Nurses course, Environmental Health Assistant’s course, Rehabilitation Assistant’s course, Medical Laboratory Assistant’s course and Pharmacy Assistant’s course. The graduates attended classes at training centers in Oshakati, Onandjokwe, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop and the National Health Training Center in Windhoek.

In her welcoming remarks the Minister for Health and Social Services, Dr. Libertina Amathila, emphasised the importance of the Center for the provision of training courses for health workers. She also emphasised the role the Government of Finland has so far played and is still playing in supporting human resource development, both in the health as well as the social welfare sectors.

In his statement, Mr. Karanko, Ambassador of Finland, called to mind the fact that the Finnish missionary, Dr. Selma Rainio, who came to work at the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital in 1908, started the first nurse training courses in Namibia. He stressed the important support Finland has provided to the development of Namibia’s health and social welfare sectors since Independence and informed that Finland was busy finalising another four year support programme.

Mr. Karanko also emphasised that Namibia was facing demanding challenges to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He stressed the importance of well trained health workers in the combat of the disease and emphasised the relevance of having good training institutions, such as the new National Health Training Center, in place for that purpose. He congratulated all Namibians on the opening of the Center and wished the Ministry of Health and Social Services well for the future.

His Excellency, President Sam Nujoma, in his statement, saluted the Ministry of Health and Social Services for having developed a strategic human resource plan, which takes a long-term view until the year 2030. He stated that it was gratifying to note that the number of training courses offered by the Ministry had expanded rapidly since Independence and had therefore required the construction of a large modern Center.

The President also noted the fact that graduates of the Center were not only MoHSS staff, but were also sent here by various mission health services, as well as private sector hospitals and clinics. He emphasised that it were Smart Partnerships such as these, that would contribute to the rapid socio-economic development of Namibia. He further stated that training courses offered by the Center needed the support and co-operation of higher educational institutions, such as the Polytechnic and the University of Namibia.

The President then turned to inform the audience about the Government’s new strategy to combat HIV/AIDS. While the new medium term plan to fight the disease had recently been launched, he stated that there were still "many gaps in our frontlines". He emphasised that each sector would have to take up its role in the fight against the disease, and stressed the important role the Regional Governors will have to play in spearheading the co-ordination of all efforts at regional level. He stated that integrated efforts, which would have to involve all players including international donors and experts, were necessary. He also expressed his hope that graduates from the Training Center will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the effects of HIV/AIDS infection on our communities.

The President then proceeded to hand over the certificates to the graduates and officially opened the new Center by unveiling the plaque.

===+++===

1999/05/06