Nandi-Ndaitwah’s message on World Health Day: I pledge to prioritise long-term health

The world celebrates the World Health Day on April 7, 2025. This year’s theme is Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures. In her message marking the occasion, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says her administration reaffirms its commitment to raising awareness and intensifying efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

Below is the full speech:

Furthermore, we pledge to prioritise women’s long-term health and well-being and promote effective investments that enhance the health of women and babies.
These investments can only be efficient if they are augmented by my commitment to the SWAPO Party Election Manifesto 2025-2030 to implement a strategic plan for accelerated and sustainable maintenance of public health infrastructure.
This year’s World Health Day theme recognises the call to action and ensures every child receives the best possible start in life, mainly through comprehensive maternal and newborn healthcare.
It is a fact that the health of mothers and babies lays the foundation for strong families and thriving communities, thereby securing a hopeful future for all.
Our significant strides in advancing maternal and child health should be strengthened.
Policies and initiatives such as the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative demonstrate our commitment to promoting breastfeeding and ensuring that every newborn receives the essential care they need from the beginning of life.
As a government, we remain dedicated to ensuring that all babies are placed on the breast immediately after birth and that mothers receive the necessary support to continue breastfeeding.
I am pleased to note that the Ministry of Health and Social Services strongly advocates exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, followed by introducing nutritious complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for two years and beyond.
Namibia has made progress in introducing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as part of our national routine immunisation schedule to reduce mortality and morbidity.
From July 2025, Namibia will roll out the HPV vaccine, targeting girls aged 9-14 years—a critical intervention in reducing cervical cancer-related deaths among Namibian women.
I therefore urge parents, caregivers, community leaders, and all stakeholders to support this initiative, which safeguards the health of our young girls.
Despite these achievements in advancing maternal and child health, challenges persist in various areas of our health sector. A key public health concern is the resurgence of cholera in the SADC region.
While Namibia had not reported a cholera case for over a decade, a confirmed case in the Opuwo District of the Kunene Region on 10 March 2025 is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance.
Preventing cholera requires a multi-sectoral approach, emphasising access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation remains a national priority.
Malaria continues to be a health challenge in the ten endemic regions: Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Zambezi, Omusati, Oshana,
Kunene, Oshikoto, Omaheke, and Otjozondjupa.
The Government will continue to deploy proven interventions, including Indoor Residual Spraying, the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets, and the Zero Malaria Starts With Me campaign.
I call on all citizens to take preventive measures, seek prompt treatment when symptoms arise, and cooperate with health workers to eliminate malaria from our communities.
As we commemorate World Health Day 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to collective investments in maternal and child health, disease prevention, and public health awareness.
As a government, we pledge to take decisive action to ensure the urgent enactment and full implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Law.
Our commitment for the next five years includes guaranteeing access to healthcare for all citizens, promoting preventive care, expanding public health coverage, and improving the quality of services in public health facilities.
Furthermore, we will ensure the availability of specialist healthcare providers in district hospitals nationwide, including paediatricians, obstetricians, gynaecologists and internal medicine specialists.
Without doubt, by prioritising Healthy Beginnings through quality health infrastructure, we secure Hopeful Futures and a healthy nation.”