Hetta-Maria Amutenja
Former health ministers have credited Founding President Sam Nujoma for shaping Namibia’s healthcare system.
They said he played a key role in strengthening healthcare services across the country.
Former health minister Richard Kamwi said Nujoma played a role in expanding access to healthcare, especially in rural areas.
“At the time I was working with Dr Libertina Amathila. President Nojoma educated us to be with the people out there in the rural areas, not here in the city. We must go out and see the challenges that ordinary Namibians like my grandmother, my uneducated aunt, and so many of them face. Go and see what is happening there, the health facilities,” he said.
Kamwi served as the Minister of Health and Social Services from 2005 to 2015.
Former minister Bernard Haufiku said Nujoma laid the foundation for a public healthcare system that has since been expanded.
‘The first thing he did was integrate the healthcare systems in Namibia and set policies for equity in access to healthcare services for all. I have here in mind the public health policies of 1992 and 1998, which promoted equity in access to healthcare in Namibia. It was during FP’s administration that the different ethnic-based healthcare systems in Namibia were dismantled,” said Haufiku.
Haufiku noted Nujoma’s role in addressing HIV/AIDS, which was a major public health challenge during his tenure.
Current minister Kalumbi Shangula said Nujoma’s commitment to healthcare was evident in the policies implemented during his administration.
“He understood the value of education. In exile, he sent many young Namibians for studies, including myself, and after independence, he spearheaded and energetically championed the establishment of the University of Namibia,” he said.
Shangula recounted how the late president’s contributions to health policy helped shape Namibia’s healthcare system, which continues to benefit the nation today.
“At independence, he introduced the Policy of National Reconciliation to foster peace for national development. He understood the value of education. In exile, he sent many young Namibians for studies, including myself,” Shangula said.
Nujoma served as Namibia’s first president from 1990 to 2005. During this period, the country’s healthcare system underwent significant changes, including the expansion of infrastructure, training of medical personnel, and introduction of key public health policies.
