AEGiS-IFRC: Windhoek meeting focuses on millions of "Pamelas"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Windhoek meeting focuses on millions of "Pamelas"

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies - 4 November 2003
Agatha Mweti of the Namibia Red Cross

Pamela was a 12-year-old African girl. Her father had died and her mother was dying of AIDS. Pamela had not been tested and might well have been HIV-positive herself. She had an older brother and three younger sisters alive and two more that had died. None had been vaccinated.

"When I met her she was not attending school, but caring for her mother, carrying water and trying to earn some money," said Dr Alvaro Bermejo, head of the International Federation's Health and Care Department, during his keynote address at the opening of the Community Social Mobilisation Conference in Windhoek on Monday.

"Thinking about Pamela and whether what I was doing would help her chances of surviving and leading a healthy life, has been the best way to remain focused and energized over the four years I have been with the Health Department. That is why ... I would like you all to think of her, of the millions of African Pamelas," he added.

Bermejo appealed to Red Cross/Red Crescent, as the world's largest humanitarian organisation, to strengthen efforts to reach the most vulnerable in communities.

"Today, unfortunately, we have more Pamelas than we had four years ago. Millions are dying every year from diseases that could be easily prevented or treated. What else is needed to ignite the conscience of the World!" stated Dr Bermejo.

He said the Red Cross's efforts to overcome diseases such as tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria should not be based on sympathy and compassion but should be a matter of justice and of living up to the Fundamental Principles.

The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services of the Republic of Namibia, Richard Kamwi, who spoke on behalf of the government, commended the Red Cross and Red Crescent and other partners who are helping to relieve human suffering.

Kamwi cited the Red Cross home-based care project as an initiative that has helped to relieve the strain exerted on health infrastructure by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

"Health facilities face the strenuous task of increased HIV/AIDS cases coupled with opportunistic infections. In fact, hospital beds in wards responsible for managing terminally-ill patients are becoming full by the day resulting in stress for the nursing staff," stated Kamwi. The deputy minister however pledged continued support to all efforts aimed at health improvement.

The Namibia Red Cross Society chairperson, Helena Ndume, said the conference provided a platform to share knowledge and experiences. "We must continue to bring hope and dignity, ease suffering and make our children, brothers, sisters and parents and all in our communities to realise that we care and that they too have a right to live peacefully," Ndume stated.

Seventy-five participants from African Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as donor national societies are attending the conference. The conference will also include presentations of case studies on social mobilization projects in different countries.

The conference, being held under the slogan "Reaching the most vulnerable", ends on 7 November.

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