The Namibian
government has opened borders to Angolan nationals seeking medical attention in
the country.
This is contained
in a directive in possession of The Namibian issued on
Wednesday by the chief of immigration in the Ministry of Home Affairs,
Immigration, Safety and Security, Nehemia Nghishekwa.
The directive was
sent to all supervisors at borders, directors in the ministry, as well as to
the inspector general of the Namibian Police, Sebastian Ndeitunga.
“Angolan
nationals, particularly those classified as border residents, living along the
border with Namibia, would be lawfully allowed to enter Namibia on condition of
seeking medical attention, which would also mean visiting the hospital,
collecting repeat medication or being examined.
“Patients should
enter Namibia and exit therefrom through the lawfully designated entry points
where both countries' border operatives would administer such entry and exits,”
Nghishekwa's directive reads.
Nghishekwa urged
patients to be in possession of yellow fever cards and valid travel documents
such as passports and border passes.
Nghishekwa also
asked all Angolans seeking entry to present themselves for screening by border
health officials for Covid-19 for appropriate profiling and possible
quarantine.
The government
closed all borders last month except for essential goods amid the coronavirus
outbreak.
A suspected
coronavirus-related death is being investigated by the ministry of health and
social services.
Nghishekwa brushed
off questions when asked why the country was allowing patients from across the
border to enter the country during the state of emergency.
“Look, I do not
know where you got that document, but it was meant to be confidential and only
meant for internal use. Therefore I cannot engage you regarding the matter,”
Nghishekwa said before he hung up.
Executive director
of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), Graham Hopwood, described
the move as a humanitarian gesture.
“I think it is a
welcome humanitarian gesture, but anyone crossing into Namibia to seek medical
assistance should be carefully monitored. It should probably be limited to
urgent cases that require medical assistance so that the numbers are
manageable,” Hopwood said.
PDM's parliamentarian
Nico Smit questioned the move, asking what Namibia could possibly do that the
Angolan government cannot do for its citizens.
Smit said the
admission by health minister Kalumbi Shangula that the health services were
unable to adequately test Namibians for Covid-19 is beyond understanding the
opening of borders to sick people.
“How will the
authorities prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the densely populated north if it
allows people to enter from a country like Angola that already has more confirmed
cases than Namibia?”
Angola has so far
recorded 19 cases of coronavirus and two deaths.
Political analyst
Ndumba Kamwanyah said while it is a good move by government, stipulations of
social distancing, washing hands and other Covid-19 containment requirements
must still be adhered to.
“It is a good idea
that they be allowed into the country on medical grounds because those border
residents on the Angolan side entirely depend on Namibia in terms of services
to meet the basic needs, including medical and food supplies.
“It is therefore a
humanitarian gesture, which is in line with our laws as well as international
laws. Of course basic requirements and stipulations of social distancing,
washing hands and other Covid-19 requirements must still be adhered to,” Ndumba
Kamwanyah said.
Human Rights
lawyer Norman Tjombe advised that screening measures must be put in place to
prevent the abuse of entry into the country.
“It is obvious
that permitting Angolans to enter Namibia is for the sole purpose of seeking
medical treatment. Not only is this a good gesture, but would be permitted
under international humanitarian law to allow for medical treatment of others
if there be such a need.”
President Hage
Geingob on Tuesday extended the lockdown nationally and this will now end at
midnight on 4 May.
National
coordinating committee chairperson on Covid-19, Bernard Haufiku, could not be
reached for comment.
Health executive
director Ben Nangombe asked to study the directive first before he could
respond to The Namibian.
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