Rare Transparency: Namibian President Makes Public His Health Status

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* 82-year-old Geingob says he has been diagnosed with cancer and will fly to the U.S. for treatment

* In another rarity for Africa, the Namibian President said he will pay for his own travel, medical and accommodation expenses during the treatment.

While some African countries hide and even deny the illness of their national leaders, Namibia has shown that the health of their President is an issue of public interest by deciding to be fully transparent about the situation.

In a rare move for African leaders, the Namibian Presidency announced on January 19 that the 82-year-old Geingob was diagnosed with cancer during a medical check-up earlier this month and will undergo treatment.

The Namibian President’s Office issued an update today that Geingob will fly to the United States for a 7-day medical treatment.

The following is a media statement released today by the Namibian Presidency:

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Consistent with his commitment to transparency and accountability in Effective Governance, President Hage G. Geingob informed the Namibian people on 19 January 2024 about cancerous cells that had been detected by his medical team following biopsy exams.

The President also communicated that he would commence immediate medical treatment following advice from the medical team.

An unintended, but welcome consequence of the transparency with which the President communicated about the cancerous cells has been the outpouring of prayers, well-wishes, including offers of medical support from Namibians, friends, leading specialist physicians and scientists from across the globe.

In that vein, the President has accepted the medical offer by leading scientists and medical professionals in Los Angeles, California to undergo novel therapy for the cancerous cells in the United States of America.

The travel, medical and accommodation expenses of the President will not be incurred by the Government.

Whilst 95% of the treatment for the cancerous cells will be carried out in Namibia, the Presidency wishes to confirm that the treatment the President will undergo in the United States of America is limited to seven days.

Crucially, the medical technology will be transferred to Namibia and President Geingob will travel with his medical team and this will also result in the necessary transfer of advanced medical skills, which will be used for the treatment of other patients in Namibia.

The Presidency wishes to once again reassure Namibians that President Geingob is in good spirits and continues to discharge of his duties as Head of State.

During the President’s short medical leave of absence from 25 January 2024 to 2 February 2024, the Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Nangolo Mbumba shall be the Acting President.

President Geingob will depart this evening, Wednesday 24 January 2024 and shall return on 2 February 2024.

President Geingob would like to thank Namibians and friends from across the globe for their support, prayers and messages of best wishes.