Open letter to the Ministry of Health and Social Services

I write this letter as a concerned Namibian, a daughter, and someone who has personally witnessed both the strengths and the growing challenges within our public health system.

My family has benefited greatly from state healthcare over the years, and for that I remain deeply grateful. My late father was diagnosed with grade 4 gliosarcoma in 2024 and received treatment through the public system. From surgery and scans at Windhoek Central Hospital to radiation and chemotherapy arranged through the state, our family experienced firsthand what a functioning public health system can mean for ordinary Namibians. Despite the severity of his illness, he was treated with dignity and care, and we did not have to carry the overwhelming financial burden that many families in other countries face.

My mother, who is 70 years old and lives with diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, has also relied on the state for chronic medication and treatment. Earlier this year, she successfully underwent cataract surgery through the public system. I have also seen notable improvements at public health facilities, including upgraded wards, improved emergency services, cleaner hospital environments and professional frontline staff who continue to work under difficult conditions. These developments deserve recognition, and I commend the Ministry for the visible effort being made to improve public healthcare.

However, appreciation for progress cannot silence concern where serious problems remain unresolved.

Since February 2026, my mother has repeatedly been unable to access her blood pressure medication because it has been out of stock. Every week, we return to the hospital pharmacy hoping the medication has arrived, only to be told there is still no supply available. The pharmacists and nurses have been respectful, patient and helpful throughout, but the reality is that they cannot provide medication that simply is not there.

This is not a small inconvenience. High blood pressure is a serious chronic condition that requires consistent treatment. Without medication, patients face increased risks of stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and other dangerous complications. My mother has already experienced persistent migraines and declining health during this period without treatment. For chronic patients, medication shortages are not theoretical policy failures. They are immediate threats to health and safety.

What made the situation even more frustrating was the process required to seek help privately. When I asked whether I could buy the medication myself, I was informed that I first needed authorisation from a doctor. I was then referred from one facility to another in search of the necessary paperwork. For patients who have already gone months without essential medication, this level of bureaucracy is both impractical and deeply discouraging.

Unfortunately, this issue extends far beyond my family. Reports of medicine shortages affecting patients with hypertension, diabetes, HIV, cancer and psychiatric illnesses have surfaced repeatedly across Namibia. Many patients have reportedly waited in long queues at clinics and hospitals only to leave empty-handed. For those who cannot afford private pharmacies, there is often no alternative.

I therefore respectfully urge the Ministry to treat the shortage of essential and chronic medication as a matter of immediate national priority. While infrastructure upgrades and hospital renovations are important and commendable, healthcare ultimately depends on whether patients can access the treatment they need to stay alive and stable.

There also needs to be clearer communication with the public. Patients should not have to return week after week without receiving answers about when medication will become available. Facilities should provide transparent updates on shortages, expected delivery dates and the alternatives available to patients in the meantime.

In situations where medicine is unavailable through the public system, there should also be a simple and immediate process allowing patients to obtain treatment privately without unnecessary delays or referrals between facilities. Chronic patients, particularly pensioners and vulnerable Namibians, should not be forced to navigate layers of bureaucracy while their health deteriorates.

Frontline healthcare workers also need greater support. Pharmacists, nurses and doctors are often left to manage the frustration and fear of patients despite having no control over procurement delays or stock shortages. They should be equipped with clear guidance and practical solutions to assist patients during these periods.

I remain sincerely grateful for the care my family has received through Namibia’s public healthcare system. My father received cancer treatment with dignity, my mother continues to benefit from state healthcare, and many dedicated public servants continue to provide compassionate care every day. These positive experiences are exactly why this issue matters so much.

The ministry has already demonstrated that improvement is possible. It has shown that state healthcare facilities can be upgraded and that ordinary Namibians can receive quality treatment regardless of income. I now respectfully ask that the same urgency and commitment be applied to ensuring the consistent availability of essential medicines.

Gratitude and concern can exist at the same time. Recognising progress should not prevent honest conversations about the challenges that continue to place vulnerable patients at risk.

Yours in health and progress,

Caillin Basson