New infrastructure, staff development, legal reforms boost healthcare

Namibia is ramping up critical healthcare infrastructure, with new health centres, intensive care units and dialysis facilities set for commissioning.

Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said last week, during her budget presentation, that infrastructure development had seen the completion of four clinics, including Onanghulo, and the upgrading of Ompundja, Onamukulo and Mabushe clinics, as well as the completion of the Aussenkehr Health Centre.

In addition, an intensive care unit was established at Katima Mulilo District Hospital, and a kidney dialysis centre opened in Keetmanshoop, with further centres scheduled to open in Katima Mulilo and Walvis Bay in April.

Construction of a neonatal intensive care unit at Swakopmund District Hospital has also been completed and is scheduled for commissioning in April.

"Ongoing major projects include the first phase of the Windhoek District Hospital, where the access road is 76% complete and electrical supply works are 45% complete."

The next phase, she added, involves internal bulk earthworks to lay the foundations of the main hospital buildings, which is now at the procurement stage.

Development work has begun on the Ondangwa (330-bed) and Nkurenkuru (250-bed) district hospitals, she noted.

Luvindao added that a new 120-bed maternity ward at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital will be commissioned on 10 April, while a 17-bed intensive care unit at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital has already been completed.

In addition, the offices of the Oshana regional management team have also been commissioned.

Empowering regions, more staff

Luvindao further noted that the ministry successfully decentralised certain functions of the ministry to all 14 regional health directorates within their respective regional councils in November 2025.

"The scope of these delegated functions has been significantly expanded beyond administrative coordination to include critical human resource and operational responsibilities,” she noted.

A major recruitment drive has been central to these regional efforts, with 3 471 of 4 461 posts (77.8%) filled by 1 March at an estimated cost of N$286 965 727.28, the minister said.

"These newly onboarded healthcare professionals have directly enabled the expansion of working hours at various clinics, significantly improving patient access," she explained.

In a further effort to support staff, healthcare uniforms have been distributed to more than 15 000 workers nationwide.

Beyond recruitment, staff development produced 72 nurse specialists, four medical specialists, nine postgraduate and four undergraduate scholars, totalling 97 new specialised qualifications.

Currently, 616 healthcare workers are pursuing further training, including 154 in nursing, 98 in medical specialisations, three in dental specialisations, 32 at the postgraduate level and 329 at the undergraduate level.

Legal instruments

Alongside progress on the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Bill, the ministry has finalised other critical legal instruments to protect public health.

The Mental Health Bill is awaiting parliamentary approval, and its accompanying draft regulations are fully completed, Luvindao said.

Comprehensive work has commenced to finalise amendments for the Food and Safety Bill.

For 2026/2027, N$575 795 000 has been allocated to the policy co-ordination and support programme, funding 5 136 new and vacant positions.

The minister said the ministry will strengthen health financing strategies, including the proposed National Health Equity Fund under the envisaged UHC Bill, to mobilise additional resources.

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