Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has inaugurated the first government-owned Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine in Namibia’s public health sector, marking a historic milestone 36 years after independence.
The state-of-the-art facility at Windhoek Central Hospital was officially commissioned by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, represented by Charles Mubita, the Minister in the Presidency.
Speaking at the event, Health Minister Esperance Luvindao described the launch as “a pivotal, historic turning point for healthcare delivery in Namibia” and the first of its kind in the public sector since 1990.
“For over two decades, MRI technology has been available in the private sector. Today we bridge this critical gap,” she said. “By bringing state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging directly into the public sector — which serves 85 percent of our population — we reaffirm that world-class medical technology must never be a privilege reserved for the few, but a standard accessible to all.”
Luvindao said the acquisition aligns with the Ministry’s five-year Strategic Plan themed “World Class Health for All” and the Universal Health Coverage Policy under NDP6, which seeks to ensure every Namibian accesses quality healthcare without financial hardship.
She credited the investment to the vision of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the 8th Administration for prioritising public health reforms.
Photos: Ministry of Health and Social Services
The Minister outlined the immediate benefits of the MRI service as:
– Increased access to MRI diagnostics for both state and private patients
– Reduced turnaround times and diagnostic backlogs for timely treatment
– Significant budgetary savings by cutting costly referrals of state patients to private facilities
– Greater complementarity between the public and private health sectors.
MRI technology uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed, non-invasive images of the body’s internal structures for accurate diagnosis of various conditions.
“This accomplishment represents far more than an investment in advanced machinery; it is an investment in our people,” Luvindao said. “None of this progress happens by chance. It is driven by resolute leadership, fiscal foresight, and a steadfast dedication to the wellbeing of every Namibian citizen.”
She added that this is the first of several planned investments. The Ministry is procuring key medical equipment directly from manufacturers for distribution countrywide to decongest facilities and enhance public health capacity.
