Namibians to pay only N$4 for universal health care

Namibians will soon pay as little as N$4 for healthcare services at public health facilities following the Cabinet's approval of the policy on universal health coverage (UHC). This move aims to expand access to healthcare while keeping costs minimal, according to outgoing health minister Dr. Kalumbi Shangula.Shangula highlighted that the UHC policy would create a greater demand for human resources and increased funding to support the expanded services. He clarified, “The basic element for universal health coverage is primary health care. Namibia has made significant progress in providing quality and accessible health and social services for citizens.”Under the new policy, outreach medical services will be free, along with preventative services such as ante-natal, immunisation, and postnatal care at clinics. Treatment at clinics will cost N$4, while hospital treatment will be N$8.Shangula noted that the policy outlines specific actions needed to accelerate progress towards achieving UHC goals, based on national consensus gathered through consultative processes. He cited the World Health Organization (WHO) Universal Health Coverage Index (2021), which shows that Namibia has achieved a service coverage index of 61%, a notable increase from 39% in 2000.“The funding has not been handled by the ministerial committee. UHC is to ensure people do not suffer financial hardship. It is simply to complement the remaining 30%. It is not something new from what we are seeing today,” Shangula explained.He provided an example of the affordability of the new system: “If you stay in a certain village, you go to the clinic and you are asked to pay N$4, so that one the majority of Namibians can afford it. We know, for example, people are willing to pay for the services.”Shangula also announced plans to address waiting lists at health facilities by recruiting more staff and acquiring more medical equipment for diagnostics. “We are now going to address the waiting lists, so we are going to recruit more manpower and much more medical equipment for diagnosis to make sure you will be given quality services on time,” he said.Namibia's post-Covid-19 health system investments are seen as a stepping stone towards achieving UHC. During the pandemic, the country rapidly increased its isolation bed capacity from four to over 1,200 for mild Covid-19 cases in just six months. This development is expected to set Namibia on the right track for a universal healthcare system.

Namibians to pay only N$4 for universal health care

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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Namibians to pay only N$4 for universal health care

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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