Rudolf Gaiseb
The health ministry needs N$11.5 billion for medical supplies.
This includes clinical services, prioritising the replacement of outdated equipment and expansion of specialities. A total of N$12.3 billion was allocated for the ministry this financial year.
Motivating the budget in Parliament on Tuesday, health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said despite global disruptions, the ministry is actively implementing multiple strategies to enhance the pharmaceutical supply chain.
These key initiatives include establishing a dedicated procurement mechanism to streamline the sustainable supply of medicines and clinical items over five years, reducing shortages and enhancing transparency.
“Data systems will enhance annual quantification and quality data-collection methods to achieve an 80% service level target through electronic inventory systems like the Electronic Dispensing Tool, Stock Cards and Pharmaceutical Dashboard,” she said.
Last week, reports of the unavailability of anaesthetic pharmaceuticals in various public health facilities surfaced.
However, health executive director Penda Ithindi issued a statement refuting the claims.
He assured that adequate levels of stock of anaesthetics are available at most health facilities, including Windhoek Central Hospital, Katutura Intermediate Hospital and Keetmanshoop District Hospital.
In addition, the Rundu Intermediate Hospital was reported to be out of anaesthetics as well as malaria test kits and other medical equipment.
The statement said the low levels are not due to the absence of anaesthetics.
“The observed low stock at Rundu Intermediate Hospital is mainly due to weak coordination and active monitoring between the different functional units and Central Medical Stores, resulting in untimely distribution and delivery of the supply orders. Noting the observed low stock situation at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, the ministry has instituted immediate measures to ensure that an adequate quantity of requisite stock is dispatched to the Rundu Intermediate Hospital,” the statement reads.
Ithindi said the ministry has put in place a pharmaceutical supply and distribution strategy underpinned by forward-looking, timely procurement activity, digital monitoring mechanisms between the Central Medical Store, and the regional health facilities, as well as stock accountability provisions across the value chains for efficiency and effectiveness.
On Tuesday, Luvindao said the ministry’s planned activities encompass upgrading the Central Medical Stores’ (CMS) logistics and storage capacity to achieve an 80% service level – up from 57%.
This will involve procuring new CMS storage infrastructure, enhanced logistics systems, and robust inventory management.
The ministry additionally requests the allocation of N$62.5 million to further refine health data and policy support, including detailed epidemiological analysis and research.
It will prioritise the review of the National Electronic Health Strategy (2021–2025) to advance work on a TeleHealth Policy, which aims to improve access to essential healthcare services in rural areas by leveraging digital technologies.
HIV
In her budget motivation, the minister requested the allocation of N$114.4 million to cover HIV/AIDS-related expenses.
At the moment, the antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage stands at 95%.
“Namibia has been lauded for making great progress towards achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 global targets, with 93% of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) aware of their status; 95% of those aware of their status being on antiretroviral treatment (ART); and 98% of those on ART virally suppressed. Above 90 % of persons receiving ART have transitioned to the more efficacious Dolutegravir Regimen,” she said.
The ministry decentralises ART services through differentiated service delivery models, and enhances ongoing prevention efforts through a combination of prevention methods as well as to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
“Although funding cuts have raised concerns about access to antiretroviral medications, I wish to clarify that the government of Namibia has been procuring these medicines since 2016, and will continue to do so. Recent waivers issued by the United States’ (US) government to Namibia have allowed some continued support under the US-CDC [Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative] Agreement with the ministry, although USAID-funded activities have been suspended. These supported activities relate mainly to HIV and tuberculosis prevention programmes,” she said.
Luvindao said the ministry will prioritise the construction and upgrading of critical health infrastructure.
This includes nine new clinics and two health centres in remote areas such as Onamukulo, Uuvudhiya and Oranjemund.
“Upgrades at major hospitals, including Gobabis, Swakopmund, Katutura and St. Mary’s will expand capacity, modernise facilities and improve patient care standards. The development of a new Windhoek District Hospital through a project financing facility by the Ministry of Finance is underway this year to decongest urban health facilities and improve access,” the minister revealed.
She said filling remaining vacant posts, especially specialists, with emphasis on underserved areas by allocating N$150 million in this budget, is essential for strengthening Namibia’s healthcare capacity.
“The ongoing deployment and development of a pool of technical specialists in paediatrics, obstetrics, surgery, internal medicine, anaesthesiology and critical care will enhance service accessibility and quality across the country.
The full implementation of the Integrated Human Resources Information System (IHRIS) will continue to optimise workforce planning, deployment and performance management,” Luvindao noted.