Swapo promises to upgrade hospitals to private standards

Swapo’s N$85.7 billion development plan, set to begin on 1 April 2025, prioritises upgrading all new intermediate hospitals to private healthcare standards.This is contained in the party's manifesto implementation plan document, which covers the period between 2025 and 2030.To improve rural healthcare, telemedicine services will be introduced by 2027, ensuring better access to medical consultations. Additionally, a nationwide public health education and nutrition campaign - backed by N$75 million over five years - will launch between 2025 and 2026 to promote preventative healthcare.To strengthen healthcare delivery, the government will invest N$210 million over five years to acquire 28 mobile clinics. Mental health services will also receive a boost, with N$45 million allocated for new and upgraded facilities in Rundu, Keetmanshoop, Walvis Bay, Gobabis, Katima Mulilo, Oshakati, and Windhoek.A national study will be conducted to assess healthcare access challenges and propose solutions. Emergency response services will receive N$100 million over five years, allowing for the procurement of 60 fully equipped ambulances. Additionally, N$250 billion will fund the recruitment of 813 medical specialists, with a focus on rural areas, between April 2025 and March 2030.To decentralise healthcare, 35 new clinics will be built in underserved areas with a N$1 billion investment starting in January 2026.Education and skills developmentSwapo’s N$25 billion education plan aims to make higher and vocational training tuition-free by 2028. A new funding formula, ensuring sustainable financing for free education, will be introduced in April 2025.By October 2025, an independent benchmarking assessment will be conducted, and the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) will be fully reintegrated into government structures. New educational institutions will be built in underserved regions from June 2026, with a dedicated infrastructure development fund launching in May 2026, the document states.Oil & gas sector reformsSwapo plans to increase Namibian ownership in the oil and gas sector through a Local Content Act, a logistics and supply base, and a Petroleum Regulatory Agency. The Local Content Act is expected by March 2026, with policy finalisation set for September 2025.Starting in April 2026, the government will mandate a 30% carried interest in all upstream oil and gas licenses. A national skills development strategy will be introduced by November 2025, and a Petroleum Regulatory Agency will begin operations in April 2025.Housing and land reformSwapo aims to build 50,000 new affordable homes and formalise 50% of informal settlements by 2029, the implementation plan reads.A special land delivery task force, backed by N$2.5 billion, will be launched next month, along with a project management office. The 'township board' will be restructured by May 2025, with recruitment of professional staff beginning the same month.A N$15 billion housing construction programme will prioritise low-income earners and support local SMEs. Housing targets include 3,000 units by April 2026 and 10,000 per year from December 2026 to December 2029.Mass formalisation of informal settlements will begin in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Rundu, Keetmanshoop, and Oshakati by May 2025. Aerial surveys will be completed by August 2025, with engineers recruited by July 2025.Energy sector developmentSwapo’s energy plan aims to increase Namibia’s installed capacity to 900MW by 2029, focusing on renewable energy, green hydrogen, and nuclear feasibility studies. A nuclear energy feasibility study will be conducted in June 2026, with a pilot project set for June 2027.By 2030, the national electrification rate is expected to rise from 50% to 70%, with 100% electrification of schools and health facilities. Rural and peri-urban electrification will be accelerated through public-private partnerships. - nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Swapo promises to upgrade hospitals to private standards

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-02-21

Please login to leave a comment

Swapo promises to upgrade hospitals to private standards

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-02-21

Please login to leave a comment

Login