Windhoek, Oct 13 (NationPress) Namibia has officially introduced a comprehensive five-year health strategic plan along with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Policy aimed at guaranteeing equitable access to high-quality healthcare services for all citizens by the year 2030.

At the launch event held in Windhoek, the capital city, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Esperance Luvindao, highlighted that these two crucial documents mark a significant advancement towards a more equitable and healthier future, emphasizing the government's dedication to ensuring health for everyone, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

The UHC Policy establishes a framework designed to ensure access to essential health services without imposing financial burdens, while the Strategic Plan for the period 2025/26-2029/30 outlines the roadmap for execution, including investment priorities, timelines, and specific measurable targets.

Luvindao articulated that these reforms are centered around three fundamental pillars: people's well-being, operational excellence, and talent management. "Envision a Namibia where every child receives life-saving vaccines, where expectant mothers benefit from quality prenatal care, and where access to healthcare is not determined by one's income or location," Luvindao stated.

She also noted the progress already made, including an increase in health-adjusted life expectancy from 47 to 56 years, while the UHC service coverage index has risen from 39% in 2000 to 63% by 2024.

Namibia has been recognized by the World Health Organization with bronze and silver-tier certifications for its achievements in combating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B.

However, Luvindao warned that the health system still faces challenges, such as ongoing disease burdens, gaps in infrastructure, and shortages in the workforce.

The newly introduced strategy aims to provide a structured approach to addressing these challenges through investments in digital systems, reforms in the supply chain, and plans for the establishment of an independent health regulatory agency to enhance safety and quality.

On October 9, Namibia also unveiled a new five-year national strategy aimed at accelerating advancements in maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, with the goal of ending preventable deaths and strengthening healthcare systems nationwide.

During the launch event in Windhoek, Minister Luvindao remarked that the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent Health, and Nutrition Strategy (2025/2026-2029/2030) signifies a renewed commitment to enhancing the quality and equity of health services available to women, children, and adolescents.

"Far too many women, children, and adolescents encounter obstacles that hinder their access to quality healthcare and economic opportunities," Luvindao emphasized, noting that the strategy is not just a policy but a promise to uphold the rights and dignity of all.

Luvindao highlighted that Namibia has made notable progress in recent years, with the maternal mortality ratio decreasing from 449 per 100,000 live births in 2006 to 139 in 2025, while neonatal mortality stands at 24 per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality at 41 per 1,000.