Thirty-six years on, Namibia finally gets public MRI

The government expects to save about N$16 million annually in private-sector medical referrals after the public health system acquired its first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, ending more than three decades of reliance on private facilities for the specialised scans.

The machine, which provides detailed images of the body’s internal structures using a strong magnetic field and radio waves, was officially inaugurated at Windhoek Central Hospital on Thursday last week.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, whose keynote address was delivered on her behalf by Minister in the Presidency Charles Mubita, described the development as a historic milestone for Namibia.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Ministry of Health and Social Services had referred more than 4 000 patients to private facilities for MRI services over the past five years alone, spending more than N$80 million.

This translates to an average of more than N$16 million a year on private-sector MRI referrals.

“The government has now invested N$49.8 million in establishing the MRI facility at Windhoek Central Hospital, including the machine, accessories and infrastructure upgrades,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said that if the machine is properly maintained over its expected 20-year lifespan, comparable private-sector referrals could have cost the government about N$320 million.

The public health system serves approximately 85% of Namibia’s population, and Nandi-Ndaitwah said access to advanced medical technology should not be reserved for those who can afford private healthcare.

The machine will assist doctors in diagnosing and managing neurological, spinal, abdominal, pelvic and other complex conditions. It is also expected to reduce waiting times and help clinicians make faster and better-informed treatment decisions.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said government plans to procure and install a second MRI machine at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital during the current financial year.

The expansion is intended to improve access for patients in the northern regions and reduce the need for them to travel to Windhoek or be referred to private facilities.

She urged Windhoek Central Hospital management and staff to ensure that the equipment remains functional, properly maintained and accessible to patients.

“A machine inaugurated today, but unable to function tomorrow does not constitute development,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao said the MRI service would help reduce diagnostic backlogs and turnaround times while giving more public-sector patients access to specialised scans.

She said the machine would also reduce the costs associated with referring state patients to private facilities.

“World-class medical technology must never be a privilege reserved for the few, but a standard accessible to all,” Luvindao said.

She said the investment was expected to improve health outcomes through greater access to MRI diagnostics, shorter waiting periods and fewer referrals to private healthcare providers.

The acquisition is also expected to generate budgetary savings by reducing the need for costly private-sector referrals.

“This is the first such investment, but definitely not the last,” Luvindao said.