WINDHOEK: The United States government on Monday handed over 16 vehicles to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to support the ministry’s mentorship programme in the Khomas Region.

In a statement issued by the ministry on Monday, Minister Kalumbi Shangula stated that the mentorship programme was introduced in 2015 as part of the acceleration plan to reach HIV epidemic control by 2030, in line with the UNAIDS fast tract targets of 90-90-90.

“Clinical mentors recruited with funding from the CDC (US Centres of Disease Control and Prevention) provide support to healthcare workers involved in the national HIV response. They are experienced clinician-trainers and carry out activities such as onsite training and consultation on complex cases, support and enhance high-level problem-solving, diagnostic and decision-making skills, lead case discussions, and address issues of quality assurance and continuing education,” he said.

Shangula noted that the mentorship programme was expanded to the Omaheke, Kunene and Hardap regions in February 2020. Following this expansion, the US government officially handed over six new additional vehicles.

“The mentorship vehicles are not only a mode of transportation, but are vehicles symbolic of the connections we forge and the paths we traverse together. They represent the bridge between experience and aspirations, between knowledge and action,” the minister said.

During the same handover, CDC Country Director Randy Berry stated that the 16 vehicles were provided by the US CDC with funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

“These vehicles will enable the clinical mentors in all 14 regions of the country to more frequently, and more efficiently, visit clinics throughout the country for the clinical mentors programme that has a direct impact on so many lives,”

Source: The Namibia Press Agency