Towards Proper Healthcarein Namibia

WHO CONCLUDED THAT for every dollar you invest in healthcare, you get N$16 in return?
In Namibia we are well on our way towards achieving universal health coverage.

This is commendable, however, much still needs to be done by all of us, and I am here to play my part as we move forward.
Health is everyone’s business and requires a truly multisectoral approach.

Statistics will always guide us. Namibia at 825 615 square kilometres, with a population of three million people, has one national referral hospital, four intermediate hospitals and more than 1 000 outreach points.

However, we need to improve. We are faced with many challenges. Our healthcare system is currently limping.
Here are my humble proposals:

Cancer care should be decentralised in all 121 constituencies and 14 regions.
Cancer treatment is very expensive and not affordable to state patients in Namibia. I agree and support our lovely former first lady, Monica

Geingos, who once said there is a need for action to address rising cases of cancer in Namibia. She deserves the 2024 women of the year award.
Free youth clinics are needed in all 14 regions.

Let’s stop discriminating against our fellow citizens. I mean there is no region that is immune to mental health issues. Namibian young people, who make up over 50% of the Namibian voting population, are faced with many challenges.

With the rise in mental health issues it’s high time our training institutes, in conjuction with the health ministry, introduce specialist training in psychiatry to enhance the diagnosis and management of mental health issues.

Public nursing staff members are working tirelessly, so the ministry should come up with ways of boosting their morale.
This can be done through more in-service training, which would remind them of their core duties.

The ministry should also make it compulsory for state hospitals to motivate staff. Thank you to the Ohangwena health directorate, which is doing so.

Namibia could also learn from Singapore, Cuba and Australia, which have the best state hospitals.

Furthermore, the government should consider subsidising healthy foods to make it more affordable.
There should be continuous education on alcohol abuse.

Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba once said he doesn’t want to lead a nation of drunkards.
Alcohol is dangerous and a silent killer.

Allow me to thank Dr Bernard Haufiku and other medical doctors who are extending helping hands to Namibians in need in the form of school visits for medical check-ups.

That is what caring for each other means.
Last but not least, I look forward to a Namibia with proper, equitable healthcare services for all.

The provision of quality healthcare to all Namibians can only be achieved if there are enough qualified human capital, uninterrupted supplies, proper health financing, and proper policies, laws and guidelines.

Long live Namibia, a child of international solidarity, midwifed by the United Nations.
Alfeus Hamundja