Staff Reporter
THE Health Ministry’s Executive Director (ED), Ben Nangombe, called on the private sector to support efforts that can ensure the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country – emphasising that progress cannot be made without multi-sectoral collaboration.
The ED said this at the official opening of the High-level Sensitisation Meeting, where he explained that there is a need to maximise investment towards quality healthcare services that are accessible and affordable.
He therefore said that the role of insurance companies, medical aid funds, private sector health facilities, regulators and professional associations are critical in pursuit of this goal.
“I emphasise that sustaining our progress towards UHC requires us to take deliberate and well thought out steps as partners. This means Government, with all the stakeholders,” he said.
Nangombe explained that the ministry has adopted a detailed and inclusive approach that involves all stakeholders and will continue to invite all stakeholders to work towards the achievement of UHC.
“With input and support from the experts from our development partners, we will define the parameter and the changes we need to make in order to achieve the progress we need,” he explained.
Nangombe said that it is necessary to have a common purpose with regards to this goal and highlighted the importance of UHC, explaining that everyone needs access to healthcare, without the risk of suffering financial hardship. This, he said, is key to improving the well-being of the country’s population.
“UHC will not be achieved until everyone, in every corner of the Land of the Brave, has equitable access to comprehensive and quality health services,” he said.
While a lot still needs to be done for UHC to become a reality in Namibia, Nangombe acknowledged that there have been some milestones with regards to this goal. These include the fact that Cabinet approved the UHC Policy Framework, the review of the Essential Health Services Package, the establishment of the Technical Working Groups, the engagement of Consultants to support the process and other actions taken to move the process forward.
“As we acknowledge the steps we have made in this process to date, we must remain mindful that achieving UHC is a journey. We must thus take resolute, yet careful steps so that we do not stumble,” he added.
