By: Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Health and Social Serviceshas clarified that the total cost of constructing the new Windhoek DistrictHospital is approximately N$2.9 billion. During the groundbreaking ceremony for thenew Windhoek District Hospital on Thursday, one of the main speakers mentioned thatthe total construction cost of the new facility will be N$16 billion. Although the new 500-bed facilityrepresents a substantial investment in the country’s healthcare infrastructure,Walters Kamaya, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Social Services,clarified the misunderstanding regarding the funding of the new hospital.He stressed that the total cost ofconstructing the new Windhoek District Hospital is approximately N$2.9 billion.
“This amount is part of a broaderinitiative, the Health System Strengthening (HSS) Initiative, which requiresN$16 billion in total resources,” he said.He added that the Initiative, endorsed bythe Namibian Cabinet two years ago, aims to enhance the country’s healthcaresystem comprehensively. He said that the HSS will focus on several key areas:Infrastructure development, procurement of modern equipment, acquisition ofambulances, strengthening human resources, and ensuring a steady supply ofpharmaceuticals and clinical supplies.Kamaya explained that the figures mentionedby a speaker at the event conflated the total budget for the HSS Initiativewith the specific budget for the Windhoek District Hospital. “The N$16 billion is the totalresource allocation required for the nationwide Health System StrengtheningInitiative, not just for the hospital,” Kamaya stated.The HSS Initiative is part of Namibia’sbroader strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improve theoverall quality and accessibility of healthcare services. Supported byinternational partners such as USAID’s Local Health System Sustainability(LHSS) Project, the initiative aims to make healthcare more sustainable andefficient.
Key activities include improving healthfinancing, engaging the private sector, and operationalizing high-level UHCplans.Speakers at Thursday’s event stated that byinvesting in health system strengthening, Namibia is not only building newinfrastructure but also fostering a resilient health system capable ofproviding high-quality care to all Namibians, including vulnerable populationssuch as those living with HIV, pregnant women, and children.
