MOBILE HEALTH OUTREACH: UNFPA-SUPPORTED SRHR SERVICES

Mobile Health Outreach: UNFPA-Supported Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Services

Delivered by Society for Family Health (SFH) Namibia

In Partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) and UNFPA

Namibia and many southern African countries share similar youth demographic profiles with many adolescents and youth vulnerable to unintended pregnancies, STIs including HIV, and sexual and gender-based violence. SFH is an implementing partner for UNFPA Namibia's 6th and 7th Country's work plan since January 2019. SFH work to contribute to UNFPA's Global Strategy on Adolescents and Youth for accelerating progress towards UNFPA's transformative results.

Overview

Society for Family Health (SFH) Namibia expanded its mobile outreach services to deliver life-saving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) support in 10 regions, including:

• Omaheke
• Kavango East
• Kavango West
• Oshana
• Ohangwena
• Zambezi

With funding from UNFPA and in partnership with MoHSS, SFH's mobile clinics provided essential services such as:

• Family planning
• HIV testing and counselling
• STI screening and treatment
• GBV case support and referrals
• Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)

These services targeted adolescents, young people, women of reproductive age, and vulnerable populations in remote and drought-affected areas.

Why Mobile Outreach Matters

In May 2024, the Namibian government declared a State of Emergency due to widespread drought. Over 1.4 million Namibians faced acute food insecurity, with Kavango East (55%), Kavango West (60%), and Omaheke (45%) severely impacted.

Women and girls in these regions were particularly vulnerable to:

• Malnutrition and poor maternal health
• Gender-based violence and exploitation
• Unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions
• Mental health distress linked to trauma and displacement

2024 Achievements at a Glance

Who We Serve

Our mobile teams prioritized:

• Girls and women of reproductive age
• Adolescents and youth
• Pregnant and lactating women
• People living with HIV
• Persons with disabilities
• GBV survivors
• Rural and drought-affected communities

Integrated Emergency Response

As part of the CERF-funded initiative "Lifesaving Protection Support for Drought-Affected Communities", SFH provided:

• Dignity kits and maternal health supplies
• Psychosocial first aid
• Community-based GBV referral systems
• SRH awareness in schools, youth hubs, and health centres
• Legal and medical support for survivors

Overcoming Barriers

SFH worked closely with MoHSS and local partners to address:

• Contraceptive myths and resistance
• Inaccessibility in sandy or remote regions
• Stockouts of contraceptives and PrEP
• Low male participation in SRH services

Actions taken:

• Deployed male-targeted education campaigns
• Redistributed supplies from surplus regions
• Advocated for 4x4 vehicles to access remote zones
• Trained Life Skills teachers to bridge trust with parents and learners

Looking Ahead

As Namibia continues to face climate-related challenges, mobile health outreach will remain a critical pillar in reducing SRH and GBV-related harm. With support from UNFPA and MoHSS, SFH is committed to:

• Reaching more underserved communities
• Expanding mental health and psychosocial care
• Enhancing gender-responsive programming
• Strengthening health system resilience through local partnerships

Need More Information?

Contact the SFH Namibia Head Office

📍 174 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Eros, Windhoek
📧 s.kambwa@sfh.org.na | ntombi@sfh.org.na
📞 Tel: +264 61 440 600 / +264 816 345 716
🕘 Mon–Fri | 08:00 – 17:00