08 June, 2006 14:53 GMT
Congress of Democrats President Ben Ulenga wanted to know from her why it had taken the cabinet nearly three weeks after the first case had been reported to give attention to it, and also why the people had not been warned earlier.
The outbreak of polio in Namibia was discussed at the highest level in the cabinet yesterday, which immediately set up a task force to control measures against polio and the problem of environmental sanitation.
However, the deputy minister of health and social services, Petrina Haingura, was given a difficult time in the National Assembly yesterday when she informed the NA about the ministerial statement on the sudden outbreak of the disease and had to answer questions about the way the government had handled this outbreak so far.
Preventive Measures
Congress of Democrats President Ben Ulenga wanted to know from her why it had taken the cabinet nearly three weeks after the first case had been reported to give attention to it, and also why the people had not been warned earlier.
Haingura answered that she had only been informed about the outbreak on May 31 and that the emergency unit had been called in immediately.
One of the patients had been moved to an isolation ward on that same day and two others had been admitted to the intensive care unit. Moreover, they had to wait for the results of the samples sent to laboratories in South Africa.
Henry Venaani of the DTA (Democratic Turnhalle Alliance) wanted to know in which regions the disease was found and if the government intended to distribute pamphlets to inform the public about preventive measures that could be taken.
Task Force Formed
The deputy minister said the relevant information was available as it was not the first time the ministry faced an outbreak of polio. Health workers had also been informed about the outbreak and would provide the information to patients.
She requested the members of the NA to assist the Ministry of Health and Social Services in their efforts to combat the disease.
The task force appointed by the cabinet will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Libertine Amathila (former health minister).
The rest of the task force will comprise the ministers of health and social services, regional and local government, housing and rural development, safety and security, environment and tourism, education as well as agriculture, water and forestry.
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