Windhoek — As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization on 7 April 2023, under the theme “Health for all,” we pause to reflect on public‑health milestones, current challenges, and the need to ensure that the most vulnerable have access to quality, essential health services.
Over the past 75 years, the world has witnessed remarkable public‑health achievements. In 2020, WHO granted emergency use listing to ten COVID‑19 vaccines, the first on the last day of the year. Within 15 days, 101 countries issued national regulatory authorisations based on WHO’s risk‑based assessment, accelerating vaccine roll‑out. Prior to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s launch in 1988, polio paralysed more than 350 000 people annually; immunisation has since reduced cases by 99 %. Namibia has been certified polio‑free since October 2008 and maintains high routine immunisation coverage, exceeding global recommendations and improving child survival. Another landmark achievement was the eradication of smallpox in 1979 after a 12‑year WHO‑led immunisation programme.
Namibia, celebrating 33 years of independence, can also highlight national public‑health successes in partnership with WHO. Investment in HIV control has led to a 65 % decline in new infections and a 74 % decline in HIV‑related deaths since 2004. Life expectancy rose from 51 years in 2001 to 63 years in 2020. The country is among the first high‑burden nations to meet the UNAIDS 95‑95‑95 targets: 92 % of people living with HIV know their status, 99 % of those are on treatment, and 94 % of those are virally suppressed. Mother‑to‑child transmission prevention has also advanced, with over 95 % coverage in 2022 for antenatal care, HIV and syphilis testing, and maternal antiretroviral therapy.
Universal health coverage remains a priority. In 2016, 95.7 % (72 720) of births occurred in health facilities. To strengthen the health workforce, Namibia established its School of Medicine in 2009 with extensive WHO support; by 2022, it had trained 400 medical doctors and four specialist anaesthetists deployed nationwide.
Namibia, like the rest of the world, was affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic. The first case was confirmed on 13 March 2020, and a state of emergency was declared on 17 March. Vaccination began on 18 March 2021, and over 980 000 doses have been administered across all 14 regions. Although vaccination rates remain modest, coordinated efforts with the United Nations, WHO, development partners, the private sector, civil society, media and communities have kept the positivity rate low in the past year, compared with a 31.1 % average during the Delta wave. Efforts to increase vaccine uptake continue.
In March 2023, Namibia declared the end of a four‑year Hepatitis E outbreak that had affected 13 of the 14 regions, primarily informal settlements with poor sanitation. This success resulted from sustained multisectoral collaboration with WHO and partners in case management, surveillance, laboratory services, infection prevention, risk communication, water, sanitation and hygiene.
Namibia remains committed to “Health for all” in line with Goal 4 of the Harambe Prosperity Plan, which guarantees health‑care access for every citizen. We congratulate WHO on its 75th anniversary and reaffirm Namibia’s dedication to our continued partnership.
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