Some Members of Parliament almost stopped a session on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as they were annoyed by the absence of the Minister of Health and Social Services.

The MPs stressed that such a session, currently taking place in Swakopmund, needs to be led by Dr. Kalumbi Shangula.

The aim of the session was to provide an update on Namibia's progress toward UHC policy development.

"You are expecting us as parliamentarians to make law and to support this. Not only this, but also avail the financial resources, so that there are enough clinics, there enough hospitals, there are enough ambulances, and don't tell us about the technical; if its too technical, then we are too stupid for being too technical to be consulted because we can't make laws for any technical issues; that's an insult in itself as well. There is no excuse for saying there are fears we have to relay; all that we are saying is that, as MPs, to make laws and really to have laws that address these issues and to facilitate a proper oversight, the political leadership must also be here; we submit before we begin," Swapo MP Tjekero Tweya said.

"When we have omitted or done something wrong, let's just correct it because, as members of parliament, the fact of the matter is that we feel undermined because we have that mandate because even the constitution is clear that we can subpoena the minister, and that's why I'm talking as the chair responsible for that committee. Please let's not be defensive," added another Swapo MP, Gotthard Kasuto.

"In fact, this consultation was requested by members of parliament, but in the scheme of things, this consultation was structured so that at the technical level, this information could be shared so that you, as members of parliament, could make your inputs and we could incorporate those inputs, and once that was done, this was going to come back to parliament and you were going to engage. It's not an excuse, it's a consultation," said Ben Nangombe, Executive Director of the Health Ministry.

After informing the minister about the complaint, the MPs agreed to continue the meeting on the condition that either Dr. Shangula or his deputy attend the session on Friday.