Namibia commits N$8.5 billion to curb maternal and child deaths
Namibia has committed N$8.5 billion to implement its new National Strategy for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (2025–2030) — a five-year plan aimed at tackling persistently high maternal and child mortality rates.
The announcement was made in Windhoek yesterday during the joint launch of the strategy and the Triennial Report on the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths, Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2024.
Delivering a statement on behalf of health minister Esperance Luvindao, deputy executive director Jeremia Nghipundjua said the strategy reaffirms Namibia’s “commitment to safeguard the rights, dignity and wellbeing of women, children and adolescents.”
“Currently, our maternal mortality ratio stands at 189 deaths per 100 000 live births — an improvement, yet still above the global target of fewer than 70 by 2030,” he said.
According to the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey, maternal mortality has declined from 449 per 100 000 in 2006 to 385 in 2013 — progress Nghipundjua described as “steady but insufficient.”
The new report also revealed that neonatal mortality remains at 24 deaths per 1 000 live births, while the under-five mortality rate stands at 41 per 1 000. Exclusive breastfeeding rates are just 49%, and 24% of Namibian children under five are affected by stunting.
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and breast milk is essential to that foundation,” Nghipundjua said, adding that stunting has “long-term and irreversible effects on physical and cognitive development.”
He stressed that “a strong health system is essential” for equitable care, noting that the strategy will focus on maternal and newborn health, adolescent health, immunisation coverage, and overall health system strengthening.
Alarming data and data gaps
Presenting the triennial report, Dr Beatrix Callard, chairperson of the National Maternal, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Review Committee, described the findings as both “a labour of love” and a wake-up call for Namibia’s healthcare system.
However, Callard revealed inconsistencies across national data systems. The District Health Information System (DHIS) reported 104 maternal deaths, while the National Review Committee recorded 150. Civil registration data showed at least 341 potential maternal deaths, many without certified causes.
Stillbirths remain a major blind spot, with more than 4 000 recorded in the three-year review period. Callard cautioned that the true figure may be higher, given that private facilities and community deaths often go unreported.
“Our data is not accurate enough to determine a national stillbirth rate,” she said. “UNICEF estimates the regional rate at 22.2 per 1 000 live births, while our systems indicate between 16.3 and 18.1 — but these are likely underreported.”
Systemic failures
The report identified delays in seeking care, lack of expertise, and inadequate training as major modifiable factors behind preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
“Two out of ten women arrive late at healthcare facilities, while eight out of ten encounter healthcare workers who lack sufficient training or expertise,” Callard said. “Problems with diagnosis occur in 40% of cases — meaning we fail to recognise deterioration when women or infants present for care.”
Unsafe abortions and the use of traditional uterotonic herbs were also cited as growing risks.
Callard urged urgent improvements in competency-based training, data collection, and accountability mechanisms.
“We must strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors,” she said. “If 15% of our healthcare happens in private facilities and they don’t report data, we are missing a significant part of the picture.”
The announcement was made in Windhoek yesterday during the joint launch of the strategy and the Triennial Report on the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths, Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2024.
Delivering a statement on behalf of health minister Esperance Luvindao, deputy executive director Jeremia Nghipundjua said the strategy reaffirms Namibia’s “commitment to safeguard the rights, dignity and wellbeing of women, children and adolescents.”
“Currently, our maternal mortality ratio stands at 189 deaths per 100 000 live births — an improvement, yet still above the global target of fewer than 70 by 2030,” he said.
According to the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey, maternal mortality has declined from 449 per 100 000 in 2006 to 385 in 2013 — progress Nghipundjua described as “steady but insufficient.”
The new report also revealed that neonatal mortality remains at 24 deaths per 1 000 live births, while the under-five mortality rate stands at 41 per 1 000. Exclusive breastfeeding rates are just 49%, and 24% of Namibian children under five are affected by stunting.
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and breast milk is essential to that foundation,” Nghipundjua said, adding that stunting has “long-term and irreversible effects on physical and cognitive development.”
He stressed that “a strong health system is essential” for equitable care, noting that the strategy will focus on maternal and newborn health, adolescent health, immunisation coverage, and overall health system strengthening.
Alarming data and data gaps
Presenting the triennial report, Dr Beatrix Callard, chairperson of the National Maternal, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Review Committee, described the findings as both “a labour of love” and a wake-up call for Namibia’s healthcare system.
However, Callard revealed inconsistencies across national data systems. The District Health Information System (DHIS) reported 104 maternal deaths, while the National Review Committee recorded 150. Civil registration data showed at least 341 potential maternal deaths, many without certified causes.
Stillbirths remain a major blind spot, with more than 4 000 recorded in the three-year review period. Callard cautioned that the true figure may be higher, given that private facilities and community deaths often go unreported.
“Our data is not accurate enough to determine a national stillbirth rate,” she said. “UNICEF estimates the regional rate at 22.2 per 1 000 live births, while our systems indicate between 16.3 and 18.1 — but these are likely underreported.”
Systemic failures
The report identified delays in seeking care, lack of expertise, and inadequate training as major modifiable factors behind preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
“Two out of ten women arrive late at healthcare facilities, while eight out of ten encounter healthcare workers who lack sufficient training or expertise,” Callard said. “Problems with diagnosis occur in 40% of cases — meaning we fail to recognise deterioration when women or infants present for care.”
Unsafe abortions and the use of traditional uterotonic herbs were also cited as growing risks.
Callard urged urgent improvements in competency-based training, data collection, and accountability mechanisms.
“We must strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors,” she said. “If 15% of our healthcare happens in private facilities and they don’t report data, we are missing a significant part of the picture.”
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article