Prime Minister Ngurare recently took to social media to share his personal experience during a visit to the Robert Mugabe Clinic, shedding light on one of the most pressing issues facing Namibia’s public healthcare system: long waiting times and medicine stock shortages.
The Prime Minister revealed that he spent approximately two hours at the clinic, going through the same process as any other patient. According to his statement, he intentionally refused any special treatment to better understand the everyday challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
“I visited Robert Mugabe Clinic today and spent about two hours to go through the whole process. I declined any special consideration and therefore sat in the queue with other patients,” he wrote.
He commended the clinic staff for their professionalism and care during the visit. However, he also confirmed a common concern: not all prescribed medication was available at the time.
“I paid N$4 only and the rest is covered by PSEMAS. The team that saw me were courteous and professional. I got the medication at the pharmacy onsite, but one medication was out of stock, it is being ordered today. Her Excellency the President has directed, and we are following,” the Prime Minister added.
This issue is not new to the Namibian public. Across the country, particularly in regions like Rundu, patients have long expressed frustration over prolonged waiting periods and being told to purchase essential medicines from private pharmacies due to alleged stockouts at public facilities.
Despite frequent public complaints, the Ministry of Health has often downplayed the extent of the issue. In some cases, it has gone as far as launching investigations into claims that medication was out of stock even when patients insisted they were told to buy it elsewhere.
Prime Minister Ngurare’s candid remarks serve to validate public outcry and could signal a more serious political commitment to addressing inefficiencies in Namibia’s public health sector.
