Africa-Press – Namibia. The Ministry of Health and Social Services has renewed its commitment to protect the lives of women, children and adolescents.
This, according to the ministry, will be done through the National Strategy for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (2021-2024), which was unveiled yesterday.
The event also unveiled the Triennial Report on maternal, stillbirth and neonatal deaths. In a speech delivered on behalf of health minister Esperance Luvindao, the strategy is not just a policy document but a national promise to improve the quality of care and ensure that health becomes a right, not a privilege for every Namibian.
“Too many women, children and adolescents still face barriers that prevent them from accessing quality healthcare, education and nutrition,” she said.
“These challenges are not mere numbers. They are real lives, real futures and real hopes,” she added.
Luvindao noted that Namibia has made progress in improving access to healthcare services, including maternal and newborn care.
The maternal mortality rate has dropped from 449 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2006 to 139.
However, the number remains far from the global target of less than 70 by 2030.
“While we celebrate the progress made, we must acknowledge that we still have a long way to go,” she said.
She added that N$8.5 billion has been set aside to implement the new strategy.
The minister expressed concern over the country’s low exclusive breastfeeding rate at only 49% and the high prevalence of stunting, which affects nearly one in four children under five.
“These numbers reflect a reality we cannot ignore. We must act with urgency and compassion to change this,” she said.
Delivering a message on behalf of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Samuel Okran commended Namibia’s progress since independence but warned that neonatal and stillbirth rates remain stubbornly high.
Okran said neonatal and stillbirth rates are declining too slowly.
“In 2024 alone, an estimated 2 100 newborns died, mainly from preventable causes,” he revealed.
“What is striking is that most maternal and neonatal deaths occur within health facilities, even though 80% of pregnant women attend antenatal care and deliver with skilled birth attendants. This tells us that quality of care, not just access, must be at the centre of our effort,” he added.
He called for renewed urgency, implementation and accountability to ensure that the new strategy translates into tangible results.
“Health is a right, not a privilege,” Okran said.
“When we invest in health, we invest in the future of Namibia,” he added.
Deputy executive director in the health ministry Ben Kandetu emphasised that the two documents, the national strategy and the triennial report, are more than policy instruments.
“They are a roadmap for action and a testament to our collective commitment to improve the health and well-being of our women, children and adolescents – the very foundation of our nation’s future,” he said.
The report provides a detailed analysis of systemic shortcomings that contribute to maternal and neonatal deaths, including delays in care, lack of equipment and inadequate emergency response systems.
Kandetu said the findings must inform evidence-based interventions and guide continuous quality improvement in healthcare delivery.
“Our success will not be measured by words – but by action, by the lives saved, the communities strengthened and the generations empowered,” Luvindao said.
The event was attended by representatives from World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund, government officials and development partners, all pledging continued support to ensure every Namibian woman and child has access to safe, quality and equitable healthcare.
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