By Muyambango Ngumbele
Zambezi residents celebrated the World Population Day on Thursday, which was officially celebrated on July 11, 2024.
The event took place at the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre(ZVTC) , and it was co-organised by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) and United Nations Population Funds(UNFPA).
The day was celebrated under the theme “Embracing the power of inclusive Data towards a resilient and equitable future for all”, while the state of the World Population Report titled “interwoven lives, threads of hope, ending inequalities in sexual and reproductive Health and rights”.
The keynote address speech by Dr. Kalumbi Shangula , Minister of Health and Social Services was read on his behalf by Zambezi Regional Governor, Lawrence Sampofu which stated that Namibia has made Strides and significantly notable progress in the areas like reducing maternal mortality rate among the pregnant women.
“Our latest data of 2020 indicates that maternal mortality rate stands at 215 per 100 000 live births”, he said.
Progress has also been made towards the achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health during the last three decades, these issues have been integrated into the country’s National Development Plans Policies and strategies with recent inclusion Universal Health Coverage (UHC) related policies and programmes.
However, the state of world population report 2024 serves as a powerful reminder that advancing innervations related to sexual and reproductive health is crucial for achieving suitable development and building a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone.
Dr.Shangula also emphasised that Namibia has the importance of family planning, access to contraceptives and motherhood. “Let me commend my team for working tirelessly to dismantle the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing health services including those that promote and expand reproductive health services ”
The minister expanded his appreciations to the teaming up in forming a partnership with the Namibia Statistic Agency (NSA), Zambezi Governor’s office and local community for promoting the issue of sexual and reproductive health in the country and said that the partnership can create the changes and people’s desires.
Meanwhile a young member of parliament Imwaka Simushi also stood up and spoke on the power and inclusive data. He said this data can help the youth to be included instead of nominating a sample of people, he also urged young people to voice out the challenges they face and the opportunities they have.
In his speech he also encouraged young to be involved in inclusive data through learning about data, studies and participate in surveys that collect data about young people.
“We need to be careful about how data is collected, stored, shared, and make sure that it benefits everyone “he furthered.
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