Africa-Press – Namibia. Auleria Wakudumo
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has rejected claims that public hospitals are introducing special units for government dignitaries.
He said the government’s focus is on improving healthcare services for all Namibians.
The Prime Minister was responding to concerns raised by Swanu lawmaker Evilastus Kaaronda.
Kaaronda questioned the purpose of constructing special units within public health facilities.
“There is growing public concern that these developments could create a system where access to better healthcare depends on one’s status or financial means,” he said.
He revealed that they were told that there’s a ‘VIP’ unit at one of the public hospitals.
He stated that there has been a lot of backlash and questions about whether this will create further social division between people who can afford it and those who cannot afford it.
Ngurare has, however, rejected the notion of a two-tier healthcare system. He stressed that the government’s focus is on improving healthcare services for all Namibians.
He highlighted that seven major health facilities across the country are earmarked for upgrades. These include the Katutura Intermediate Hospital, Windhoek Central Hospital, Walvis Bay State Hospital, Swakopmund State Hospital, Keetmanshoop District Hospital, Onandjokwe State Hospital and Rundu State Hospital.
“The ongoing upgrades are part of the country’s long-term development plan to modernise public health facilities and bring them to world-class standards,” he said.
Ngurare emphasised that the aim is to ensure that quality healthcare services are evenly distributed across the country, rather than being concentrated in urban centres.
He stressed that there is no need for people to dramatise the issue and create a wrong impression of what is being intended.
“There is no life that is secondary to another. The level of care provided in remote areas, such as Okangwati, must be equal to what is offered in Windhoek,” he stated.
The Prime Minister further called on the media to exercise responsibility when discussing national reforms, warning that misinformation could undermine public confidence in government initiatives.
The government has introduced a new programme called Vision April 2026 that requires senior officials to use public hospitals as part of efforts to improve healthcare services for all Namibians.
The programme was introduced by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and came into effect on 1 April 2026.
It will be implemented in phases, starting with 294 senior government officials and public office bearers.
The aim of the plan is to improve the quality of public healthcare by making sure that decision-makers experience the same services used by ordinary citizens.
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