Public Service Medical Aid Scheme

Public Service Medical Aid Scheme — healthcare benefit programme for Namibian civil servants, subject to 2026 reforms mandating public hospital use and increases in employee contributions.

2024-03-032026-10-03

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

May 2026
2 MayThe Namibian
Public Service Medical Aid Scheme beneficiaries continue to opt for private healthcare due to long waiting times and limited specialist access
Source
“Public Service Medical Aid Scheme beneficiaries continue to opt for private healthcare due to long waiting times and limited access to specialists in public health facilities, a new survey has found.”
Long waits, shortages push Psemas patients to private care
March 2026
10 MarInformanté
PSEMAS is expected to provide strategic leadership and overall administration including policy formulation and reform coordination
Source
“The PSEMAS Governance Committee is expected to provide strategic leadership and overall administration of PSEMAS, including policy formulation and coordinating the implementation of ongoing reform measures to ensure cost sustainability, value for money, and quality healthcare for members.”
Prime Minister inaugurates new PSEMAS governance committee

Business

Social Security Commission surplus rises to N$806.7 million

The News

The Social Security Commission recorded a net comprehensive surplus of N$806.7 million for the year ended 28 February 2026, up from N$518.7 million previously, with total assets reaching N$6.91 billion. The commission was also selected to manage the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme and directed to implement the National Medical Benefit Fund, which aims to make medical expenses more affordable and extend coverage to low-income workers.

2 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Yesterday

Social Security Commission surplus rises to N$806.7 million
The Social Security Commission recorded a net comprehensive surplus of N$806.7 million for the year ended 28 February 2026, up from N$518.7 million previously, with total assets reaching N$6.91 billion. The commission was also selected to manage the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme and directed to implement the National Medical Benefit Fund, which aims to make medical expenses more affordable and extend coverage to low-income workers.
2 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 20 May

Health ministry plans private hospital partnership for surgery backlog
The government proposes a public-private partnership with Rhino Park Private Hospital, where state surgeons would use the private facility's theatres during off-peak hours to operate on public patients and clear around 9,600 elective surgical backlogs at Katutura Intermediate and Windhoek Central hospitals. The arrangement aims to reduce the combined backlog by 30% within 12 months, despite concerns from medical doctors that the state's own 20 theatres in Windhoek are underutilised due to medication shortages.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Health professional proposes unified health framework for Namibia
Namibia's health system is fragmented with high administrative costs and limited fiscal pooling. A health professional has proposed a Shared Prosperity Health Covenant framework to transform the system into a unified, equitable, and digitally enabled ecosystem that addresses disparities and promotes universal health coverage.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 2 May

Public aid scheme patients shift to private healthcare due to waiting times
A Ministry of Health and Social Services survey of 2,949 Public Service Medical Aid Scheme beneficiaries found that nearly 60% choose private providers for shorter waiting times and specialist availability. Infrastructure and medical equipment emerged as the biggest barriers to improving confidence in public hospitals.
2 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 March

Civil service unions stage nationwide strike over Psemas reforms
Unions representing civil servants, including the Teachers Union of Namibia and the Namibia Nurses Union, staged a nationwide strike on 20 March 2026 to protest government reforms to the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme requiring them to use public health facilities. The unions argue the directive will negatively affect working conditions, citing concerns over deteriorating state healthcare facilities.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Teachers, public servants plan Friday demo against medical aid changes
Public servants and teachers plan to demonstrate on Friday against a 100% increase in Public Service Medical Aid Scheme contributions and a directive requiring treatment at public hospitals, calling it an Economic National Day of Action. The Teachers Union of Namibia says the presidential directive was implemented without consultation and violates basic employment conditions, though the education ministry has ordered schools to remain fully operational with staff attendance recorded.
20 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

SSC manager alleges CEO Mungunda interfered in procurement processes
A Social Security Commission manager has formally requested an internal audit investigation into whether CEO Milka Mungunda improperly influenced procurement processes linked to the planned National Pension Fund and National Medical Benefit Fund. The investigation is expected to determine whether procurement procedures and governance rules were followed during preparations for implementing the two national funds.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 March

Prime Minister inaugurates PSEMAS governance committee for healthcare reform
Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare has inaugurated a new governance committee for the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS) to oversee implementation of reforms, including mandatory use of public hospitals by civil servants and alignment with the government's Universal Health Coverage objectives. The committee, drawn from government agencies, trade unions, and regulators, replaces the previous model to improve oversight, accountability, and healthcare sustainability.
10 March 2026 · Informanté →