The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has inaugurated a N$28 million Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Windhoek Central Hospital as part of efforts to strengthen critical care for children and reduce child mortality in Namibia.

The Ministry says Namibia recorded a neonatal mortality rate of 24 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, against a target of reducing this to 10 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.

The country's under-five mortality rate stood at 41 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, with the ministry targeting a reduction to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Esperance Luvindao, says the new facility forms part of broader efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for children.

"The true measure of a nation's health system is how it cares for its most vulnerable. Namibia remains resolutely committed to achieving the health targets set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the mandate to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age."

The Ministry is implementing its Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health strategy while expanding community health worker programmes to bring primary healthcare services closer to communities.

Luvindao also speaks on success stories that the previous paediatric unit had.

"Between 2022 and 2026, the previous setup admitted approximately 1,090 children, with 929 successfully discharged home, resulting in an overall mortality rate of approximately 14.5%. While we commend the staff who saved those 929 lives, we must continually strive to do better for the children we dearly love and who need us most."

Luvindao says the new PICU is expected to strengthen the hospital's capacity to manage critically ill children and reduce the need for transfers to private facilities.