Shangula: Namibia can carry on if Trump pulls aid plug

Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula has reassured the public that the country's health programmes will remain operational and effective, even as the United States enforces a temporary freeze on foreign aid.The freeze, implemented under an executive order by US President Donald Trump, mandates a 90-day suspension of most US foreign aid while a review of its allocation and effectiveness is conducted.Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Shangula said the core health programmes in Namibia – some of which are partially funded by the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – are primarily government-led initiatives."All our health programmes are government programmes and integral to the ministry of health and social services' core activities," Shangula said. "Since independence, the government has ensured sustainability by budgeting for both operational and capital expenses annually. These programmes are not dependent on foreign aid for survival."Shangula pointed out that while international development partners provide valuable support, Namibia ensures that these contributions complement government programmes rather than fund them entirely. He highlighted that initiatives such as male circumcision and HIV prevention services, supported by donors, were designed to integrate seamlessly into government systems."Donor partners are required to align their support with our existing frameworks. This way, if external funding ceases, the government is prepared to take over these activities without disruption," Shangula explained.Critical services Over the years, Namibia has benefitted from significant US aid.In 2023, USAID provided a grant of N$19 million (approximately US$1 million) to Namibia Hydrogen Fund Managers as part of a broader sustainable development initiative.That same year, PEPFAR announced an investment of N$840 million (US$45 million) to support vulnerable children, adolescents and youth in Namibia.Despite these contributions, Shangula emphasised that government maintains fiscal independence and does not rely entirely on donor support for its critical health services.‘Will not stop’The minister expressed confidence that the US aid review will confirm Namibia's transparent and effective use of funds, particularly in combatting HIV and tuberculosis. He added that the temporary freeze applies only to new funding during the 90-day period and does not affect ongoing programmes or previously allocated resources."There has never been any instance of mismanagement or deviation of US funds from their intended purposes in Namibia," Shangula said. "I believe this transparency will work in our favour, and the support will resume after the review".He added that even in the unlikely event of a reduction or withdrawal of US funding, Namibia's health programmes would continue, albeit potentially at a reduced scale."These programmes were conceived as government initiatives from the start. They will not stop, as they are part of our core mandate to serve the Namibian people," he underlined.Namibia's healthcare initiatives, including its globally recognised efforts to combat HIV/Aids, have made significant progress over the years. Shangula said this progress is a testament to government's commitment to sustainability and resilience."There is no cause for concern. These programmes will continue to thrive because they are built on a solid foundation of government support," he concluded.

Shangula: Namibia can carry on if Trump pulls aid plug

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-11-04

Please login to leave a comment

Shangula: Namibia can carry on if Trump pulls aid plug

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-11-04

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content