The Ministry of Health and Social Services will need more than N$4.5 billion to fill 11,742 new positions that were approved earlier this year, Health Minister Esperance Luvindao has revealed.
“Approval of 11,742 new positions has been granted over six years. The estimated cost to fill these positions is N$4,550,935,085,” Luvindao said on Tuesday.
However, due to limited funds, the government will only be able to fill 434 of these posts in the current financial year.
This will cost N$150 million, taken from the ministry’s total N$536 million allocation for human resources.
“Further engagements are to be undertaken on funding modalities for the Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks,” the Minister added.
She explained that the gradual filling of these vacancies is vital to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, especially in underserved areas.
The ministry plans to focus on recruiting and deploying technical specialists in paediatrics, obstetrics, surgery, internal medicine, and anaesthesiology to improve access to quality healthcare across the country.
“The full implementation of the Integrated Human Resources Information System (IHRIS) will continue to optimise workforce planning, deployment, and performance management,” said Luvindao.
The Minister also outlined plans to prioritise infrastructure development in the current year, with nine new clinics and two health centres set to be built in remote areas, including Onamukulo, Uuvudhiya, and Oranjemund.
She added that major hospitals, such as Gobabis, Swakopmund, Katutura, and St. Mary’s, would undergo upgrades to expand capacity and improve patient care.
Luvindao further highlighted the ongoing construction of the new Windhoek District Hospital, now estimated to cost N$3.2 billion. She said the facility is necessary to ease pressure on urban hospitals and improve health service delivery.
