Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Organization

Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme

Also known as: Psemas · Public Service Employee Medical Aid Scheme

Medical aid scheme for Namibian civil servants undergoing reforms in 2026, including removal of co-payments and mandatory use of public health facilities.

Society

Health minister seeks N$18 billion over five years

The News

Minister of health Esperance Luvindao told the National Assembly that Namibia needs N$17 billion to N$18 billion over five years to effectively run and upgrade public healthcare. The current annual health budget stands at approximately N$13.1 billion, but the minister said the increased funding would support upgrading existing facilities and building new intermediate and district hospitals.

Why it matters

The government has committed to directing senior officials and civil servants to use public healthcare, but the health minister says this requires N$18 billion over five years to upgrade facilities and deliver adequate care—far more than the current N$13.1 billion annual budget allows.

22 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Health minister seeks N$18 billion over five years

    Minister of health Esperance Luvindao told the National Assembly that Namibia needs N$17 billion to N$18 billion over five years to effectively run and upgrade public healthcare. The current annual health budget stands at approximately N$13.1 billion, but the minister said the increased funding would support upgrading existing facilities and building new intermediate and district hospitals.

    22 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. PM clarifies PSEMAS amendments don't require member reapplication

    The Office of the Prime Minister has dismissed claims that recent amendments to the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme require members to reapply, stating the changes—including increased contribution rates, removal of the 5% co-payment, and benefit structure review—do not affect current membership status and were automatically implemented through payroll systems.

    21 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 17 April

  1. Government launches Vision April 2026 healthcare reform initiative

    Namibia's government has begun phased implementation of Vision April 2026, an initiative to transform public healthcare by improving accessibility, quality and citizen confidence. The programme, which mandates senior government officials to use public facilities starting April 2024, includes infrastructure upgrades, N$239 million in medical equipment procurement and recruitment of 2,307 health workers, with expansion to additional facilities planned for 2027.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Civil servants face Psemas reforms, reapply by August deadline

    The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has ordered civil servants to reapply for Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme benefits by end of August following reforms to the scheme's operations. Trade unions have criticized the lack of consultation and warned that reported increases in medical aid contributions could severely impact civil servants' finances.

    15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 21 March

  1. Three unions reject 5% salary raise and Psemas healthcare plan

    Three public service unions gathered at Omusati Regional Council to reject the government's 5% salary increase for civil servants and the "Vision April 2026" proposal requiring Psemas members to use only public health facilities. The unions argue the healthcare policy threatens worker rights and freedom of choice, and say the government failed to consult them before proposing changes that affect conditions of employment.

    21 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Health Ministry must clarify civil servant healthcare transition plan

    New Era editorial criticizes the government's plan to shift civil servants from private medical aid to the public health system, launching April 1st, saying that while the policy aim is sound, the Ministry of Health has failed to communicate implementation details—such as how facilities will handle 170,000 additional patients, whether separate units will be created, and how pharmacy access will work. The piece warns that without clear planning and transparency, the already strained public system risks being overwhelmed, and urges the ministry to provide reassurance before the transition takes effect.

    13 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 9 March

  1. Government establishes new governance committee for Psemas

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare inaugurated a new governance structure for the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) to improve accountability, efficiency and long-term sustainability. The new committee replaces the former coordinating committee and aims to strengthen healthcare governance, guide policy development, oversee reforms and ensure cost-effective healthcare benefits for public servants.

    9 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 8 March

  1. Health minister says recruiting more workers to cut hospital waits

    Dr Esperance Luvindao, the Health and Social Services Minister, said the ministry is addressing long waiting times at public hospitals through recruitment of additional health workers, with about 70% of over 2,000 positions filled last year. She noted that extended clinic operating hours and budget provisions for further recruitment are also being implemented, amid concerns that mandatory public health facility use by 119,000 civil servants from April 2026 could strain already congested hospitals.

    8 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 6 March

  1. Doctors question readiness for April 2026 health scheme redirect

    The Namibia Private Practitioners Forum has raised concerns that financial and operational gaps could hinder the government's Vision April 2026 plan to redirect public service medical scheme beneficiaries to state facilities. The forum warns that unclear tariff schedules, incomplete funding details, and lack of engagement with the private healthcare sector create uncertainty about whether patient care will remain accessible during the transition.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

  1. Health Minister outlines plan for civil servants to use public hospitals

    Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao presented a readiness strategy for Vision April 2026, a directive requiring civil servants to seek healthcare in public facilities rather than private providers. The implementation plan includes recruitment of over 2,000 health workers, improved medicines procurement, equipment upgrades, and a phased rollout beginning April 1 with senior leaders at seven designated public hospitals.

    2 March 2026 · The Namibian →

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