Welcome to the Right to Care Namibia , dedicated to enhancing access to quality healthcare across Southern Africa. We prioritize bolstering Namibia’s health system to effectively respond to infectious disease pandemics.
Expanding Quality Improvement Program for HIV/AIDS (EQUIP)
Established in 2016, EQUIP originally aimed to support UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 goals in PEPFAR-supported countries, including Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa. Following its successful efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, additional funding was allocated to EQUIP to strengthen medical oxygen generation, storage, and distribution capabilities in Namibia. This initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Namibia Ministry of Health & Social Services and other local partners.
Accelerating Development Against Pandemic Threats (ADAPT)
This program focuses on rapidly responding to infectious disease pandemics, ensuring Namibia is prepared to mitigate and manage future threats effectively.
The COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant gaps in Namibia’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in oxygen administration. Through EQUIP, we are addressing these challenges to improve healthcare delivery and enhance the country’s readiness for future health crises.
Our objectives are clear:
- Supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) in responding effectively to pandemics.
- Strengthening medical oxygen capacity in healthcare facilities to meet increased demand.
- Building resilience within Namibia’s healthcare system to combat future pandemic threats.
ADAPT Program Overview
The ADAPT (Accelerating Development Against Pandemic Threats) program, part of the Regional Task Order (ARTO), is dedicated to bolstering Namibia’s healthcare system against emerging infectious disease pandemics. Managed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), this initiative focuses on enhancing medical oxygen capacity within MOHSS health facilities to ensure readiness for future health crises.
Our Role
Right to Care Namibia, contracted through the ADAPT program, plays a crucial role in expanding oxygen infrastructure across Namibia. Our efforts encompass:
Civil Works : Construction of reinforced concrete plinths at Okongo, Andara, Okahao, and Eenhana Hospitals to house Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) units. These plinths are essential for securely anchoring and housing the PSA units, ensuring their stability and optimal performance.
Electrical Works : Installation of power supply infrastructure from source to PSA units to ensure reliable operation. This includes laying out electrical wiring and connections to support the energy-intensive operation of oxygen generation systems.
Mechanical Works : Upgrading and extending internal medical-grade oxygen reticulation systems, including the installation of additional terminal units for efficient oxygen distribution within hospitals. Our scope includes servicing and repairing existing oxygen reticulation systems and manifold banks to maintain optimal performance and safety standards.
Equipment Provision : Procurement and distribution of essential oxygen administration equipment such as flow meters, ensuring the efficacy of oxygen delivery at the patient interface. This includes sourcing and supplying equipment crucial for monitoring and regulating oxygen flow to meet healthcare demands.
Capacity Strengthening : Training and mentoring hospital staff on the proper use and management of medical oxygen resources, including safety practices, to enhance patient care and safety. Through comprehensive training programs, we empower healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary for efficient oxygen utilization and maintenance.
Key Accomplishments
Training of Health Care Workers: EQUIP supported the development of a training curriculum for health workers on vaccine delivery and rollout. This included printing training materials and procuring necessary documentation for vaccine administration. EQUIP also supported training of trainers (TOT) for healthcare professionals, including data clerks and admin staff, per the MOHSS and USAID Namibia’s direction.
Provision of IT Equipment: EQUIP procured IT equipment to support vaccination efforts, including the development of a COVID vaccine health information system. A total of 60 laptops and 176 tablets were procured in FY22 to support data management, with 38 data clerks seconded to the MOHSS for data capturing.
Vaccination Equipment: EQUIP procured and delivered 4 Portable Ultra Cold Chain Freezers to support vaccine distribution, which were handed over to the MOHSS for asset management and maintenance.
COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Equipment: In response to severe shortages of hospital beds, EQUIP procured and delivered 70 ICU beds to Namibia. Additionally, through collaboration with Project CURE, 200 emergency beds were transported and handed over to the MOHSS.
Oxygen Scoping Assessments: EQUIP assessed hospital needs to improve care capacity during and post-COVID-19 waves. For example, the Onandjokwe Hospital PSA plant increased oxygen availability by 500%, and the Gobabis Hospital PSA plant increased availability by 250%.
Human Resources Support and Secondment: EQUIP hired and seconded 38 data capturers to the MOHSS, placed at 24 hospitals across the country, providing direct training support to healthcare workers and technical assistance to the MOHSS’s COVID-19 National Task Force Unit and the Waste Management Unit.
Updated Clinical Management SOPs: EQUIP provided training for COVID-19 clinicians on new operating standards in managing COVID-19 cases, aligned with WHO guidelines.
