Jobless health workers appeal to PM after US aid cuts

Health workers who lost their jobs when US funding to Namibian health programmes dried up have told Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare they are “caregivers, parents and breadwinners” struggling to survive.

Ngurare met 10 representatives of the retrenched workers on Saturday and said government had heard their concerns and would explore possible solutions.

The group previously served under the Development Aid from People to People’s (DAPP) Total Control of the Epidemic (TCE) programme and in the health and social services ministry.

They said life had become “increasingly difficult” since their retrenchments, linked to funding withdrawals from USAID and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar).

The group, with a combined 22 years of experience, appealed to be reinstated into the health sector or considered for other health-related opportunities.

Fighting for them

Ngurare said the meeting had given him a clearer picture of the challenges they face. He apologised for the delay in addressing the matter and said government would consider the options they had proposed.

“What I can tell you is that your minister is fighting for you,” he said, encouraging the group to keep engaging government if progress was too slow.

“I am much better informed now. If we are not fast enough, talk to us. There are no problems without solutions,” he added.

As a gesture of support, Ngurare gave each of the 10 representatives N$200 for transport home.

The Office of the Prime Minister said the meeting reaffirmed government’s willingness to listen directly to affected citizens and consider their concerns while exploring possible solutions.

In September, the US announced in a joint media statement that Namibia was expected to receive about US$45 million (approximately N$730 million to N$750 million) in financial support for the 2027 financial year, before direct funding is largely phased out in favour of technical cooperation.

Almost all Namibian staff employed by USAID, including local nurses working in agency-funded programmes, lost their jobs last year.

This followed the Trump administration’s order for USAID and Pepfar to cease all operations in Namibia.