On 13 October 2025, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) officially launched its Strategic Plan for 2025/26–2029/30 together with Namibia’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Policy in Windhoek. The launch marked a significant milestone in the country’s health reform agenda, underscoring a renewed commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and partnership. It also advanced the national vision of “World Class Health for All,” anchored in the fundamental right of every Namibian to access quality health services without financial hardship.

Namibia has recorded steady progress in improving population health over recent decades. Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy increased from 47 to 56 years, while the UHC service coverage index increased from 39 percent in 2000 to 63 percent by 2024. The country has also gained international recognition, including Bronze- and Silver-tier certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) for progress towards eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B. These achievements reflect sustained investments in health and the impact of effective, evidence-based interventions. At the same time, the increased government investment in health has mitigated financial barriers to accessing health services as evidenced by low out-of-pocket health spending at the point of seeking health services.

The Strategic Plan and the UHC Policy together provide a coherent and forward-looking roadmap for building an equitable, resilient, and people-centred health system in Namibia. The UHC Policy sets the primary framework for ensuring access to quality health and social services for all, while the Strategic Plan translates this commitment into clear priorities and actions for the next five years. Grounded in the constitutional right to health and aligned with national and global development agendas, the two instruments respond to both Namibia’s achievements and its remaining challenges, with a focus on improving service delivery, quality, equity, and financial protection.

Speaking on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Hopolang Phororo, the WHO Representative, Dr Richard Banda, described the two frameworks as vital roadmaps for building a healthier, more equitable, and resilient Namibia. He said they reflect Agenda 2030 and Vision 2030, affirm health as a human right, and frame universal health coverage as a whole-of-society investment linking health to economic productivity . While noting progress in health outcomes, he highlighted ongoing challenges such as high maternal mortality, poor rural access, equity gaps and the high burden of tuberculosis. He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment under the 2025–2029 Cooperation Framework to support primary health care, maternal and child health, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, digital health, and stronger health financing and social protection so that no one is left behind.

WHO reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with MoHSS to implement and support the translation these frameworks into tangible gains in service delivery, equity and financial protection, ensuring better health and well-being for all, with no one left behind.