Press Release

June 17, 2009

Champions Emphasize Leadership and Prevention During Visit to Namibia
Windhoek, Namibia

The Champions for an HIV-Free Generation made their latest country visit to Namibia this week to meet with the country’s top leaders and urge an accelerated response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

Led by His Excellency, Mr. Festus G. Mogae, the former president of Botswana, the Champions’ visit (June 14-17) included meetings with Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Namibia’s Founding Father, Dr. Sam Nujoma, Minister of Health and Human Services, the Hon. Dr. Richard Kamwi, other cabinet ministers, parliamentarians and leaders of civil society.

More than 200,000 people are estimated to be living with HIV in Namibia. In meetings with government leaders, the Champions shared ideas for a regional response to the epidemic.

“Your country has made major strides in the response to HIV and AIDS, including the quick rollout and expansive coverage of life-saving treatment to people living with the virus. The Champions believe the good work being done by the Ministry of Health and Social Services is a shining example for the region,” said Mogae, who is the chairperson of the Champions. “We believe that now is the time to consider appropriate strategies in order to maintain and sustain these impressive feats.”

In addition to Mr. Mogae, other Champions taking part in the visit included His Excellency, Mr. Joaquim Chissano, former president of the Republic of Mozambique; Dr. Speciosa Wandira, former vice president of Uganda; and Ms. Joyce Mhaville, chairperson of the Steering Committee of the African Broadcast Media Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (ABMP).

The Champions said prevention of HIV must be the highest priority. They recommended that the recently drafted policy on male circumcision in Namibia be endorsed by leadership and rolled out with urgency. The mission also held discussions on the sustainability of health programs, which will require a resourcing strategy and an increased domestic commitment of funding in coming years.

“In the current world economic crisis, there is a need for all of us – each and every country in Africa – to assume responsibility and deal with this pandemic from the resources we have within,” Chissano told a gathering of cabinet ministers on Monday.
The mission also urged that a comprehensive and coordinated response to the epidemic be led by senior levels of government.

“Greater involvement from cabinet members and parliamentarians is desired,” said Mogae. “Our experience from the region has shown us that in order to involve all sectors in the HIV response, the coordination is best led from the highest offices in the land.”
The delegation’s visit included a field trip to a condom factory and a mobile health clinic stationed outside of Namibian Breweries to service its employees. The Champions met with gender and youth groups, as well as the media, to discuss their role in the response to HIV and ways to improve coordination.
During the visit, the Champions noted that Namibia has made great strides in addressing stigma, and praised the government for removing travel restrictions against people living with HIV from entering the country. But some harmful practices remain, they said, including the denial of home loans for people who test positive for HIV.

“Our leaders should take every opportunity to speak out against stigma and endorse laws and policies that create a social environment that cares for people living with HIV,” Mhaville said.
The Champions also met Namibians like Venancius Rukero, who shared his story of facing stigma and discrimination from his own pastor after disclosing to him that he was living with HIV. After being kicked out of his foster home because of his status, Rukero overcame great odds and founded his own orphanage with support from the Mayor’s office. Today he is supporting more than 30 orphans.
“During our two days of meetings in Windhoek, we met many Namibian ‘Champions’ who work hard every day in this struggle against HIV and AIDS. We commend these local Champions and congratulate your country for its progressive attitude,” Mogae said.