Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA commemorated World AIDS Day yesterday at Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo, where the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, launched the 2025 Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Guidelines and the fourth National Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Guidelines. The event was held under the theme “Sustaining the HIV response, ending stigma, and building resilient communities.”
Addressing attendees, Dr. Luvindao began by calling for a moment of silence to honour those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses, noting that very few Namibians have not been personally affected.
She highlighted Namibia’s continued progress in the HIV response, announcing that the country has surpassed the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and now stands at 96-98-98. However, she warned that despite these gains, new infections remain a major concern and must be urgently addressed through stronger prevention measures and community health education.
Photos: Otjozondjupa Regional Council
Dr. Luvindao emphasised the persistent confusion in communities between HIV and AIDS, which fuels stigma and discourages people from accessing testing and treatment. She called for renewed efforts to educate the public and eliminate practices—such as designated HIV rooms in health facilities—that inadvertently expose patients and deepen stigma.
The minister also urged Namibia and the wider African continent to shift from being recipients of global medical innovations to becoming creators of solutions, expressing hope that a Namibian scientist could one day contribute to finding a cure for HIV.
Turning to recent global medical advances, Dr. Luvindao discussed the introduction of Lenacapavir, an injectable HIV prevention drug administered twice a year. She raised concerns about its prohibitive cost—currently around N$500,000 per person per year—warning that such pricing makes it inaccessible to ordinary Namibians. More than 16,000 Namibians rely on PrEP, she said, underscoring the need for affordable alternatives.
She added that her ministry has been engaging with the Africa CDC, Africa Medicines Agency and the drug’s manufacturers to push for more affordable access across the continent.
Dr. Luvindao also acknowledged the shifting global funding landscape for HIV, expressing gratitude to PEPFAR, the Global Fund and UNAIDS for their continued support. She stressed that, despite reduced external funding, the Namibian government procures and sustains all national ARV supplies—an achievement she said demonstrates the country’s commitment to health sovereignty.
During the event, Dr. Luvindao officially launched two key documents, the 2025 Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Guidelines, these provide updated clinical guidance, including new options for unsuppressed viral loads, management of advanced disease and integration of HIV care with non-communicable disease services.
The 2025 National Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Guidelines. She described the new PMTCT edition as “a promise to the next generation,” highlighting improved follow-up for infants, expanded use of Dolutegravir, enhanced viral load monitoring for pregnant mothers and the introduction of PrEP for mothers at risk. The guidelines support Namibia’s push for the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B in newborns.
In closing, Dr. Luvindao called on communities, healthcare workers, leaders and civil society to unite behind the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
“We have the tools, we have the science, and we have the resilience,” she said. “Together, we can end AIDS by the year 2030.”
