Adolf Kaure
A proactive approach is needed to improve healthcare in the country.
Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) systems analyst and programmer Meduletu Kamati said this during the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) Data Sparks Namibia workshop in Windhoek yesterday.
MoHSS plans to upgrade their current manual format of data collection to Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) software to enhance real-time use and be more decentralised.
“In the event of a disease outbreak, timely decision-making is critical. With access to reliable data, health authorities can assess trends. For instance, identifying that between 2023 and 2025, certain diseases showed a specific burden.”
“If a disease burden suddenly increases, the system should trigger early interventions. Rather than waiting for the situation to escalate, resources can be deployed proactively to contain the events, ensuring a faster and more effective response,” he said.
The ETL software is a type of application that automates the process of gathering data from multiple sources, cleaning and converting it, and then loading it into a central location like a data warehouse for analysis.
The current outdated system of collecting data manually was challenging for MoHSS, as the data was fragmented.
Through inter-ministerial collaboration on data collection, the new system will be more convenient, enabling one source for data and decentralising data availability.
“The new software will significantly enhance resource allocation and overall healthcare delivery. It enables decision-makers to identify what actions need to be taken, where, and when, thereby preventing potential health crises from worsening,” said Kamati.
The two-day event, which is being organised in conjunction with Development Workshop Namibia, is aimed at connecting technical experts, problem-solvers, and idea-creators from different sectors to create a space where ideas can be exchanged freely to promote solutions that address Namibia’s development priorities.
Statistician General and NSA CEO, Alex Shimuafeni, said that data collection is essential in measuring progress in all sectors.
“Across the world, data has become more than a collection of numbers; it has become a language of progress. It tells stories of our communities, it guides decisions in times of uncertainty, and it helps us build smarter, more inclusive societies,” he said.
“From tracking disease outbreaks to improving education systems, from mapping climate risks to enhancing service delivery data is at the heart of progress, and Namibia is no exception.
Here in Namibia, the Namibia Statistics Agency continues to champion the modernisation of our national data ecosystem, strengthening partnerships, advancing digital tools and ensuring that data remains accessible, reliable and relevant,” said Shimuafeni.
Recently, Namibia has reported two cases of Monkeypox. This system will be essential in mitigating further spread of the disease and early detection of other illnesses.
The prevalent rise in mental health issues, as evidenced by the number of suicide rates, also requires a hands-on approach in enhancing healthcare.
Police statistics for the 2024/2025 financial year indicate that there have been 475 suicides reported as of October 2025. This highlights the urgent need for interventions to curb mental health challenges in society.
This can only be made easier through the availability of real-time statistics.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services ETL data collection is expected to be completed in December 2025. The final findings will be published in January 2026.
-newsroom@nepc.com.na