Namibia is moving ahead with plans to launch Universal Health Coverage, with legislation intended to enact the policy now open for public consultation.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has opened consultations on the proposed Universal Health Coverage (UHC) bill, which aims to ensure that all Namibians can access essential health services without facing financial hardship.
The ministry says the bill is being prepared for enactment and will establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to support universal access to healthcare.
“The government of Namibia is in the process of enacting the Universal Health Coverage bill. This landmark bill seeks to establish a robust legal and institutional framework to ensure that all Namibians access essential health services without experiencing financial hardship,” the ministry says.
The proposed legislation builds on the national policy on Universal Health Coverage approved in 2025 and incorporates ongoing health financing reforms, including the National Health Equity Fund and the National Health Micro-Contribution. These mechanisms are intended to promote pooled funding and risk-sharing to improve equity and long-term sustainability in the health system.
According to the ministry, the objectives of the bill include strengthening equitable health financing and service delivery, clarifying governance and accountability structures, and improving efficiency and quality across public health facilities and contracted private providers.
The bill also seeks to enhance transparency and fiscal sustainability in line with national development and social protection goals.
“To ensure the final law reflects the needs and aspirations of all Namibians, the ministry invites interested stakeholders and members of the public to submit inputs and comments on the bill on or before 27 February,” the ministry says.
As part of the proposed financing framework, the ministry has also proposed the introduction of levies as a revenue-generating mechanism for the recently approved UHC policy.
The proposal follows Cabinet’s approval of the policy, which identified sustainable funding as a key requirement for its implementation.
The ministry says funds raised through the levies would be ring-fenced and channelled into the National Health Equity Fund to strengthen healthcare financing.
Currently, the national budget allocates about N$3 billion annually to the Public Service Employee Medical Aid Scheme and around N$11 billion to the public health sector. These allocations have contributed to Namibia achieving a UHC service coverage index score of between 62% and 64%, one of the highest in Africa.
However, the ministry says additional funding is required to expand access and improve the quality of healthcare services.
About 85% of Namibia’s population relies on public healthcare, while only around 200 000 people are covered by private medical schemes, underscoring the need for broader risk pooling and financing mechanisms under the proposed equity fund.
— The Brief
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