Dr. Luvindao Sets Bold Health Agenda in First Cabinet Briefing: “Health is a Shared National Mission”

Dr. Luvindao Sets Bold Health Agenda in First Cabinet Briefing: “Health is a Shared National Mission”. In her first Cabinet briefing at the Government Information and Communication Centre, Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Dr. Esperance Luvindao, delivered a powerful address outlining the Ministry’s renewed commitment to delivering “World Class Health for All.”

Speaking candidly, Dr. Luvindao acknowledged both the strides made and the pressing gaps that remain. “We need to build more hospitals, hire more nurses and doctors, reduce patient wait times, and ensure that medicine and equipment are available and functional at all times,” she said.

She stressed that while over 80% of Namibians live within 10km of a health facility, service quality and access remain uneven. The Minister laid out six foundational pillars for strengthening Namibia’s health system: service delivery, workforce, information systems, access to medicines, medical technology, and governance.

Notable achievements include WHO recognition, with Namibia earning a Silver Tier for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B and a Bronze Tier for progress in HIV prevention.

Dr. Luvindao also highlighted a critical shortage of healthcare workers. She announced a bold target of training and deploying 10,000 community health workers within five years to help decentralize care and bring services closer to the people.

Underscoring the importance of health literacy, the Minister launched a campaign to combat misinformation, especially around the HPV vaccine and non-communicable diseases. “Parents must make decisions based on facts, not fear,” she said, clarifying that the HPV vaccine is not mandatory.