SWAKOPMUND - Namibia has come a long way in its efforts to provide access to quality health services for all and is currently one of the few African countries that allocate at least 15% of its budget to the health sector. This was highlighted by the ministry of health executive director, Ben Nangombe, during the consultative meeting on Universal Primary Health Care currently underway in Swakopmund.

Officials from the ministry are engaging the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Universal Health Care (UHC) to take stock of Namibia’s progress toward the policy development, obtain input on its implementation priorities as well as engage with parliament on its agenda.

Nangombe, during the opening of the meeting, said UHC means every individual and community should have access to quality and affordable health services without suffering undue financial hardship or financial calamity. It also includes access to essential medicines, therapeutics, vaccines and technologies that are effective, safe and of good quality. “We have made many strides in providing access to quality health and social welfare services to our people, hence Namibia is only one of the few countries in Africa that allocates at least 15% to the health sector. The total government health expenditure exceeds the commitment by African Union member states to commit at least 15% of their budgets to the health sector,” Nangombe explained.

Therefore, he said, Namibia made significant milestones in the journey towards UHC. Nangombe added that Namibia, with a sector allocation of 16.6% of the total budget in 2022/23 and average per capita estimated at N$6 500, has one of highest health spending ratios in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He further noted that Namibia’s services are offered free of charge or at a very minimal cost and that government has built clinics, health centres and hospitals to bring services closer to the people.

“Training for healthcare workers has been scaled up, and access to the needed medicines is improving, and will further improve with the modernisation of the physical infrastructure, operations and technologies at the central medical stores. While areas of progress are noted, we are fully cognizant of the challenges facing the ministry in delivering our important mandate,” Nangombe said.