Staff Reporter
THE Health Ministry has recently introduced two essential tools intended to monitor health expenditure over specific periods and track the allocation of resources devoted to addressing HIV/AIDS.
These tools are known as the National Health Accounts (NHA) and the National AIDS Spending Assessment (NASA), internationally recognized methodologies developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, explained that the NHA and NASA aim to estimate the total amount of funds spent on both health in general and HIV/AIDS specifically, tracking the funds from their sources to the final inputs and beneficiaries. He added that these tools will support the government’s efforts to design, monitor, and assess the health financing reforms necessary to achieve the objectives outlined in the ministry’s strategic plan.
“For the government to design health financing policies that are responsive to the needs, we need to understand a few key questions on health financing, as to who is financing health in Namibia and by how much; what are they spending this money on; who is benefiting from these resources; and if there are better ways to finance our health care,” Shangula explained.
He highlighted that ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services to all Namibians hinges on adequately qualified human resources, consistent supplies of medications and clinical necessities, well-maintained health facilities, robust information systems, ample health financing, and sound policies, laws, and guidelines.
“In line with these objectives, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is conducting a resource tracking exercise using a combination of the Health Accounts and the National AIDS Spending Assessment (NASA) methodologies in a single, comprehensive resource tracking exercise covering the three financial years from 2020/21 to 2022/23,” the health minister said.
He urged stakeholders in the health sector to actively engage with these tools, stressing that their participation in providing requisite data is crucial. The outcomes, he emphasized, will inform decision-making, monitor health expenditure against priorities, and support advocacy efforts.
“Our priority is to align health financing with stated health and welfare goals, and to ensure that spending is effective and services reaches those who need them, including the most vulnerable, people most at risk and living with HIV/AIDS, mothers, and children,” he added.
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