Looming Healthcare Crisis in Namibia

DR. NEELS DE VILLIERS, A PAIN INTERVENTIONIST, WRITES:

Open letter to the Minister of Health: Hon Dr Esperance Luvindao.

On behalf of all Namibian Health Care professionals, we extend our congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS).

I write to you to bring to your urgent attention the present healthcare crisis in Namibia as is evidenced by the recent Eboli outbreak in Opuwo and the death from starvation during the recent drought in Kavango of 100 Namibians.

Despite new MoHSS strategies since 2018 and acceptance of Universal Health Care (UHC) for Namibia, little has changed in terms of actual implementation of affordable, accessible UHC for all Namibians.

Why is this so?

Because the present Public Health Care System is 40 years old lto facilities i.e., Clinics and Hospitals, with old equipment, antiquated medical protocols and paper-based documentation serving 70% of unemployed Namibians with 20% of qualified Doctors and Nurses.



PRIVATE SECTOR

The Private Sector is also out of control.

A recent report by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has documented the following disturbing trends. The costs of Private Health Care (PHC) have escalated by 320% since 2005 i.e., from NS5,200 per patient to NS22,500 per patient in 2022.

To make matters worse, the number of new foreign doctors and pharmacists has risen by 500% since 2018. Yet, our own UNAM Medical Graduates are struggling to be employed.

The answer?

To urgently have a Health lndaba before September 2025 of all critical Health Stake Holders i.e.:

* Policy Makers

– MOHSS and Parliament and Namibian Medical Control Board (NMCB) (to be established)

Policy Regulators using the Health act i.e., Health Laws

– Health and Allied Health Councils, Nursing Council, Health Professional Council of Namibia

* Health Implementers

– NAMAF

– NAMFISA

– 7 Medical Aids e.g. NMC, NHP & Psemas

* Health Providers

– From nurses/pharmacists/doctors/specialists and private hospitals

* Health Influencers

– Patients

– Consumers protectors i.e., Namibian Competition Commission and Namibian Consumer Council

– Non-Profit Patient Centric Providers e.g. PEPFAR.

Unfortunately, after independence in 1990 the Regulating Body i.e. Namibian Medical Control Board

(NMCB) was never established.

This Board regulates on behalf of the MoHSS, the entire Healthcare ecosystem by accrediting, registering

and monitoring all Healthcare Providers, Facilities and Payers (Medical Aids) in Namibia in order to ensure

orderly and transparent implementation of MoHHS UHC Strategy in one co-ordinated plan.

Hence NAMAF, who is delegated to look after the patients interest in the Medical Aid environment; has

usurped this function of the Namibian Medical Control Board (NMCB).

Thus, NAMAF is the sole controller of Health Providers Tariffs and Private Health Medical Aids with the obvious conflict of interests resulting in 320% raise in tariffs over 8 years whilst Private Medical Aid

Benefits have decreased by 5% per year i.e., patients are paying more for less benefits.

The time to address the implantation of the present MoHSS Universal Healthcare Plan is now, to ensure

equitable, affordable Healthcare for all Namibians delivered by all Health Providers.

We are concerned and dedicated Health Providers who are determined to deliver affordable UHC to all our fellow citizens.

* Concerned Specialist practising in Namibia since 2005. Member of NPPF, MAN and MASA.



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