The Minister of Health and Social Services, Esperance Luvindao, addressed Parliament to motivate a budget of more than N$13 billion for the ministry for the 2026/2027 financial year.

The budget comprises an operational budget of over N$12 billion and a development budget of over N$489 million.

Dr Luvindao said the allocation is vital and aimed at driving tangible, systemic transformation and strengthening all building blocks of the public health system.

“Our focus remains simple: decongesting public health facilities, improving the pharmaceutical supply chain, procuring essential medicines, clinical supplies, and medical equipment, as well as recruiting a fit-for-purpose healthcare workforce to achieve health systems strengthening across the country.”

She said her ministry will undertake the National Demographic and Health Survey to generate comprehensive and reliable data across all regions to inform national policy and programme development, noting that the last survey was conducted 13 years ago.

“Updated data is critical to ensure that our policies are aligned with the realities on the ground. Our commitment to modernising healthcare facilities in 2025 and 2026 saw significant investment in the procurement of medical equipment. In the 2025/2026 financial year, not only did we procure medicines directly from manufacturers, but we also began procuring medical equipment directly from manufacturers in order to improve efficiency in our spending,” Dr Luvindao added.