Windhoek: Namibia is strengthening its capacity to respond to public health emergencies through enhanced leadership, coordination, and preparedness. This comes as the country hosts the Executive Leadership Training on Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) and Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs) in Windhoek.According to Namibia Press Agency, speakers at the event highlighted the pressing need for countries across Africa to invest in preparedness and coordinated response mechanisms as public health emergencies continue to pose significant threats. Taimi Amaambo, Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, emphasized that Namibia has faced numerous emergencies, including droughts, floods, wildfires, and disease outbreaks like anthrax, hepatitis E, measles, COVID-19, malaria, cholera, mpox, and polio. These incidents have had substantial health, social, and economic impacts on the nation.Amaambo pointed out that Namibia has established several policy frameworks , such as the National Action Plan for Health Security, the One Health Strategy, and the Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan, to bolster resilience against such threats. However, she stressed that policies alone are insufficient, and Namibia is committed to operationalizing a functional Public Health Emergency Operations Centre to improve preparedness, coordination, and response during health crises.She also referenced a recent cross-border anthrax simulation exercise between Namibia and Zambia as a practical demonstration of the importance of collaboration under the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.Helen Likando, Director for Disaster Risk Management, noted that Namibia continues to face increasingly complex risks, such as disease outbreaks, climate-induced disasters, droughts, floods, and food insecurity. She indicated that recent emergencies have reinforced the need for strong leadership, effective coordination, and institutional readines s across the government.According to Likando, Public Health Emergency Operations Centres are essential platforms that enhance situational awareness, support decision-making, and enable rapid responses during emergencies. She stated that the effectiveness of any emergency response is largely determined by the preparedness of leaders to anticipate risks, coordinate institutions, communicate effectively, and make informed decisions during times of uncertainty.The four-day training event brings together senior government officials and partners to strengthen leadership capacity and advance Namibia's efforts to improve public health emergency management and disaster preparedness.