The Ministry of Health and Social Services has pledged its commitment to ensuring equitable access to oral health countrywide.

Minister of Health and Social Services Deputy Minister, Dr Esther Muinjangue made this remark during the official launch of the Oral Health Awareness Week launch in Rundu on Tuesday.

Muinjangue said in the African region, more than 480 million people suffer from oral diseases such as dental caries and tooth loss despite most of the diseases being preventable.

“The burden of oral diseases reflects significant inequalities, with marginalised populations disproportionately impacted,” she stated.

The deputy minister said since May this year, the Kavango East Regional Health Directorate has engaged in various initiatives geared towards ensuring that the community of the region has access to oral health services.

“The biggest of such initiatives is the state-of-the art mobile dental clinic granted from national level which the directorate has been using to conduct outreach services to the most remote areas,” she added.

She further informed the gathering that the directorate has also been rendering outreach oral health services to orphanages and two correctional facilities in the region, namely the Divundu Correctional Facility and the Elizabeth Nepemba Facility.

Muinjangue said in order to achieve universal coverage in oral health services, the ministry must focus on preventative measures, accessible dental care, integration of oral health as well as education and empowerment.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency