Namibia emphasizes person-centred palliative care and job creation

Namibian Health Minister Esperance Luvindao has called for the implementation of holistic, person-centred palliative care to support patients with serious illnesses. Speaking at a World Hospice and Palliative Care Day commemoration in Windhoek, Luvindao emphasized that palliative care is a vital component in the national fight against cancer, noting that Namibia recorded 4,205 new cancer cases and over 2,000 deaths in 2024.

To support these efforts, Namibia is partnering with the African Palliative Care Association to integrate palliative services into the national HIV/AIDS response plan. However, officials noted that many hospice providers remain vulnerable due to a heavy reliance on donor funding and a lack of unified advocacy.

In the context of high national youth unemployment, Eglien Eises, founder of Hope Based Healthcare Namibia, highlighted the sector as a potential source of employment. Her organization has created 40 jobs for doctors, nurses, and administrative staff to provide home-based care. Eises noted that palliative care providers often encounter social challenges, such as patients lacking food or basic medical consumables, which complicates the delivery of medical treatment.