Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Japanese government has donated three fully equipped truck ambulances to Namibia’s ministry of health and social services (MoHSS) to strengthen emergency medical response.
The handover took place in Windhoek on Thursday.
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said the donation comes at a critical time when many regions continue to face ambulance shortages.
“An ambulance is more than just a vehicle; it represents hope, urgency, and the ability to save lives when every second matters,” Luvindao said. She described the donation as “a gift of health, dignity, and renewed strength for our emergency medical system.”
The ministry confirmed the ambulances will be deployed this week to areas with the most urgent needs. Japan has previously supported Namibia by providing X-ray and ultrasound machines to district hospitals.
Luvindao said the latest contribution aligns with the ministry’s plan to strengthen emergency medical services and reduce maternal and child mortality rates.
“The strong bond between Namibia and Japan is exemplified by today’s handover,” she said.
She noted that the Omaheke region, where one ambulance covers an area larger than some European countries, stands to benefit. She added that additional vehicles could reduce waiting times by up to 40% in some districts.
Despite the new addition and the commissioning of 36 ambulances earlier this year, Luvindao said the country’s vast geography continues to present challenges. “In Khomas, an ambulance might complete three to four transfers per day, while in Kunene, due to vast distances, only one transfer is possible,” she said. “This means patients must wait longer while an ambulance completes its trip and returns.”
She shared a personal account from the Zambezi region, where she met a young mother who had travelled more than 50 kilometres on a donkey cart to reach a clinic during labour. “While the outcome was positive, the story highlighted the critical need to bridge the gap between our health facilities and the remote communities they serve,” Luvindao said.
Her remarks reflect realities faced across other regions. Last month, it was reported that in the Kapako constituency of Kavango West, ox-drawn carts have become makeshift ambulances. Community members told regional leaders that poor access to healthcare has already cost lives.
In !AM Di, a remote village in Tsumkwe constituency, Otjozondjupa region, residents face long waits for ambulances and in some cases have been forced to transport sick relatives themselves or carry home bodies left on the roadside.
During a visit by New Era last year, a woman delivered a baby at home after waiting more than a week for an ambulance that never arrived.
According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, Kapako constituency serves 27,823 residents, the highest in Kavango West, with only four healthcare facilities.
Each facility must serve nearly 7,000 people, many living in remote villages connected only by poor or impassable roads.
