Namibia is a country of extremely high inequality, ranking only second in the world when you compare the income share of the richest 20% to that of the poorest 20%.
The poorest ethnic groups such as the San experience levels of poverty comparable to the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, and very poor access to health services.
The scourge of HIV
20% of the population is living with HIV, and groups such as the San are more vulnerable to infection due to their comparative lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. We are addressing this through training volunteer peer counsellors to spread the word about improved sexual health services, providing contraceptives and increasing support in the community for young people at risk.
Tuberculosis
We are also reducing tuberculosis among remote San communities through increasing access to treatment services, supporting people with TB on their treatment plans and educating people on preventing TB.
Malaria
The San population is also at high risk to malaria, so we are responding by training community volunteers in malaria prevention, providing bednets and improving access to health services.
Improving the health of marginalised young people in Nambia
Health Poverty Action is helping marginalised young people in remote regions of Namibia combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, fight alcohol and drug abuse and tackle practices such as underage sex and early marriages.
By training young people as peer counsellors and improving sexual and reproductive health services, Health Poverty Action is targeting more than 23,000 San and other marginalised adolescents.
Treating and preventing TB in remote Namibian communities
We are working in the remote Tsumkwe region of Namibia to cut TB to such a level that it is no longer a public issue here, among this marginalised community.
Last modified: 27/01/2012
