Families spend N$56 000 on children with disability per month

Namibian families raising children with disabilities face crippling financial pressures, with some spending up to N$56 000 per month to meet essential needs. This is according to the Direct Costs of Persons with Disability to Families in Namibia report, launched by Vice President Lucia Witbooi at Dagbreek Resource School in Windhoek.The report, compiled by the Division of Disability Affairs in the Office of the President in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners, provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of how disability-related costs affect Namibian households.Families of children with physical disabilities bear the highest expenses, ranging from N$22 720 per month for low-support needs to N$56 000 for high-support needs. These costs include home modifications such as ramps, widened doors, and bathroom remodelling, as well as assistive devices like wheelchairs, pressure-relief cushions, prosthetics, and walking frames. Other expenses cover specialised education, healthcare, and human assistance.For children with complex medical conditions or multiple disabilities, healthcare becomes the largest expense, while home modifications alone can reach up to N$100 000 – a figure far beyond the reach of most families.According to the report, even with the government disability grant of N$1 600, families must cover up to 88% of the total costs themselves. For children with multiple or severe disabilities, families still shoulder between 75% and 84% of expenses. This often forces female caregivers to leave formal employment to provide full-time care, while some children are kept at home, missing out on schooling and social development so that caregivers can continue earning a livelihood.Urgent need for funding and inclusive supportVice President Lucia Witbooi highlighted the broader social and economic consequences of the situation, saying, “Children with disabilities are among the most marginalised around the world. They are more likely to have poorer health, less education and fewer economic opportunities than their peers without disabilities.”She added that girls with disabilities face layered discrimination due to gender, poverty, and ethnicity. “It is very important for us to know our concerns and address them. Don’t take it lightly. We must mobilise behind the scenes to ensure children with disabilities are not left behind,” she said.UNICEF Representative in Namibia, Samuel Ocran, described the report as “groundbreaking,” noting that families in rural areas often face much higher costs due to limited access to services. He called for expanded grants, subsidies for assistive technologies, and universal access to essential services to help children with disabilities reach their full potential.The report concludes that there is an urgent need for targeted funding to cover home adaptations, transport, education, and care giving. Without such support, many families face catastrophic expenses, restricting children’s access to essential services and opportunities and perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

Families spend N$56 000 on children with disability per month

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-08

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Families spend N$56 000 on children with disability per month

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-08

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