Several Namibian news outlets covered the launch of IntraHealth's USAID HIV Clinical Services Technical Assistance Project (UTAP) in Namibia on June 24, 2015.

At the event in Odibo, Namibian Minister of Health and Social Services Dr. Bernard Haufiku warned community members that HIV cannot be cured by faith healers and to avoid being scammed by the increasing number of "false prophets" who seek to exploit the vulnerable. He went on to advise youth to avoid behaviors that can put them at risk of infection.

"Together we must keep pushing for the realization of our national strategies and goals,” the minister said, which include the following:

• 90% of people living with HIV know their status.
• 90% of people who know their status have access to antiretroviral treatment.
• 90% of people who receive antiretroviral treatment achieve viral suppression or undetectable viral loads.

US ambassador to Namibia Thomas Daughton said at the event, "UTAP will support Namibia as we all work together rapidly to expand HIV testing, increase services for pregnant HIV-positive women and babies, and reach Namibians living with tuberculosis and HIV."

In partnership with the government of Namibia, IntraHealth is working to:

• Enhance health workers’ abilities to deliver high-quality HIV services.
• Improve integrated HIV care and treatment services.
• Build the capacities of local nongovernmental organizations and public-sector facilities to deliver high-quality integrated HIV services in Namibia.

Selected coverage of the event: 

• Namibia Launches HIV Assistance Project, from Republikein
• Health Minister Warns against False Prophets, from New Era
• Haufiku Warns against HIV/AIDS Faith Healers, from Namibian Sun
• No Prophet Can Cure AIDS - Haufiku, from The Namibian
• USAID Grant Expands HIV Testing and Treatment, from The Namibia Economist

More about IntraHealth's USAID HIV Clinical Services Technical Assistance Project.