The Namibian government has established a new governance structure for the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS) following concerns over weaknesses in oversight, compliance enforcement and decision-making within the administration of the scheme.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare on Monday inaugurated the PSEMAS Governance Committee, which will replace the former coordinating committee and introduce a revised governance framework aimed at improving accountability and operational efficiency.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister in Windhoek, Ngurare said the previous governance model lacked sufficient expertise in key areas, which contributed to weak oversight, delays in decision-making and communication breakdowns within the scheme.
He said the new structure is intended to strengthen transparency, efficiency and accountability in the management of the medical aid scheme.
“The new governance architecture for PSEMAS is intended to enhance efficiency, accountability and transparency for the benefit of members and the broader public,” Ngurare said.
The reform follows Cabinet approval in December 2025 to implement recommendations emerging from a review workshop on PSEMAS that involved recognised trade unions, including the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), the Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU) and the Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU).
Members of the newly established governance committee were nominated by various stakeholder institutions and formally appointed by the Prime Minister. The committee will report to the Cabinet Committee on Public Service, which is chaired by Ngurare.
According to the Prime Minister, the body will provide strategic leadership over the administration of PSEMAS, including guiding policy development, coordinating the implementation of reform measures and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the scheme.
The committee will also focus on improving cost management, delivering value for money and ensuring that members receive quality healthcare services.
To strengthen governance oversight, the structure will include specialised subcommittees tasked with addressing specific areas such as benefit design, financial management, audit and risk oversight, as well as clinical protocols.
Ngurare said the reforms are aligned with government’s broader health policy objectives, including directives by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraging senior government officials to utilise public health facilities as part of efforts to advance universal health coverage.
He said the initiative forms part of a wider effort to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services across the country.
“This approach supports government’s objective of delivering quality healthcare to all citizens without discrimination, regardless of socio-economic status,” Ngurare said.
Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah and Minister of Health and Social Services Esperance Luvindao were among officials who attended the inauguration ceremony.
Ngurare urged members of the new committee to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, noting that effective governance of PSEMAS is critical to safeguarding healthcare benefits for public servants and strengthening Namibia’s health system.
