Honorable members

I would now like to present an overview of my Ministry’s Development Budget which has two main funding sources, namely the State Revenue Fund and various donor funds that are channelled outside the State Revenue Fund.

The total amount to be voted from the State Revenue Fund for the Fiscal Year 1999/2000 is seventy nine million, nine hundred and forty thousand dollars (N$79 940 000), while the estimated development expenditure from donor funds will be sixty six million, eight hundred and seventy one thousand dollars (N$66 871 000)

Mr. Speaker

Allow me to firstly provide some details on the projects to be voted from the State Revenue Fund. I will then proceed to give you a brief overview of the donor funds to be received by my Ministry during the 1999/2000 financial year.

Our Government funded projects fall into two main categories namely: the primary health care and human resource development projects, and the construction projects.

The 1999/2000 development budget includes nine (9) projects under this category. These include the following ongoing projects:

1. National capital projects feasibility studies,
2. Nation-wide orthopaedic services establishment,
3. Volunteers allowances (Health development workers),
4. Nation-wide sanitation facilities,
5. National radiation protection infrastructure,
6. National PHC planning human resources development and
7. National health management information system development.

The following new projects will be started:

1. Feasibility study on community welfare services;
2. Equipment management strengthening.

The total amount to be voted is eight million, one hundred and forty eight thousand dollars (N$8 148 000 ) (10,2%).

Mr. Speaker

As stated before, the second category of projects in the development budget 1999/2000 relates to construction projects. In terms of the Ministry’s overall construction programme, all projects fall under one of four main areas, namely:

1. clinic and health centre construction and upgrading;
2. district hospital upgrading and renovation;
3. referral hospital renovation and upgrading, and
4. other construction.

1. Clinic and health centre construction:

My Ministry places particular emphasis on the construction and upgrading of clinics and provision of staff accommodation. A total amount of seven million dollars (N$7 000 000) (8,8%) has been requested for upgrading and for new construction of clinics and four million dollars (N$4 000 000) (5%) for the upgrading of health centres as tabulated below.

Region Names of Clinics

Karas Noordoewer, Warmbad

Erongo Tamariskia, Hentiesbay

Omaheke Eiseb Block, Witvlei

Otjozondjupa Gam

Kunene Terrace Bay, Okanguati, Oruvandje, Ohandungu

Omusati Omona wa Tjhozu, Ruacana, Okaukamasheshe

Caprivi Choi, Kanano, Clinic No. 3, Clinic No. 4,

Kavango Kapako, Ndonga, Baramansoni, Muyku,

Tondoro, Bunya, Sambyu, Mupini

Khomas Khomasdal, Katutura

Ohangwena Kongo

1. District Hospitals upgrading

Mr Speaker, I would like to re-emphasize to this house that my Ministry views the district hospital as the backbone of the overall health care system. District hospitals provide very cost-effective curative services. They function as the first level of referral within the district and act as important back up to our rural health centres and clinics. We view the district hospital as a central resource within our overall health service and place high priority on regularly upgrading these facilities and maintaining them in a good condition.

The main focus of the district hospital upgrading projects is general renovation including improvement to outpatient and inpatient facilities, and to provide adequate accommodation for staff.

In total, an amount of twenty five million, eight hundred and forty two thousand dollars (N$25 842 000) (32,3%) is to be voted for work related to district hospital upgrading countrywide. The list of facilities is contained in the budget document before you.

The construction programme for this year will include the following:

• Completion of upgrading and renovation works at Eenhana, Outapi and Grootfontein
• Ongoing upgrading and renovation works will continue at Opuwo, Walvis Bay and Onandjokwe
• Commencement of the first phase of upgrading works in Khorixas,Karasburg, Omaruru, Tsumeb, Swakopmund, Okakarara and Katima Mulilo. The construction works at Khorixas were supposed to start last year, but due unforeseen delays will only start this year.
• Completion of feasibility studies for Tsandi, Outjo, Andara, Nyangana, Oshikuku, Otjiwarongo, Aranos and Keetmanshoop. The actual construction works will start in the 2000/2001 financial year.

3. referal hospitals renovation

The third category of physical facilities to be addressed pertains to the upgrading and renovation of referral hospitals. These facilities provide specialist referral services and include Rundu, Oshakati and Katutura as regional hospitals, as well as Windhoek Central Hospital as the national referral hospital. An amount of twenty nine million and ninety thousand dollar (N$29 090 000) (36,3%) is requested for this category.

General site works, upgrading of regional offices, extension of OPD, renovation of the kitchen, and general renovations of staff accommodation.

A new Primary Health Care clinic, Outpatient department, Casualty, X-ray department, a new entrance road and upgrading of the Laboratory.

General renovation of the hospital and staff accommodation, replacement of the lifts.

Improvement of site traffic and security, general renovation of the hospital, accommodation blocks and office accommodation and upgrading of the telephone system.

4. Other construction

Under the fourth category of other construction, an amount of five million eight hundred and sixty thousand dollars (N$5 860 000) (7,3%) is to be voted. The construction work includes the following:

• Mortuaries upgrading and construction
• Security installation
• Regional Medical Stores construction
• Ichtus Land Rehabilitation Centre renovation
• Namibia Children’s Home renovation

Mr. Speaker,

Honourable members

In summary, the total amount to be voted on the development budget for my ministry is therefore N$79 940,00. This represents 54,5 percent of the total estimated development expenditure for the year. I will now briefly provide you with an overview of the projects funded outside the state revenue fund. They are the following:

1. Nation-wide orthopaedic service establishment (EU, CESTAS)
2. National Aids Control Programme (France, EU, UNAIDS, Germany)
3. National Tuberculosis control and prevention (EU)
4. National Integrated Health Programme (EU)
5. National Human Resource Development (UK)
6. Practitioners and Professional Support Program (China, Cuba, Egypt, Sweden, UK)
7. National Family Planning and Health Development (UNFPA)

The main donors in the health sector during the fiscal year 1999/2000 are as follows:

1. Finland

The programme funded by Finland will come to an end during September 1999. However a follow-up programme to run over four years at a total investment cost of fifty five million dollars (N$55 million) is currently under preparation.

 

2. Luxembourg

Luxembourg recently finalised a new agreement to develop and upgrade primary health care clinics in the Kavango region and also to expand and improve the maintenance system. A total amount of six million three hundred thousand (N$6, 300,000) is provided. Further negotiations are ongoing for the funding of upgrading of clinics in Caprivi region as well as Andara and Nyangana hospitals.

 

3. European Union

The European Union continues its support to my Ministry through the Namibia Integrated Health Programme with an estimated support of one hundred and eighty one thousand dollars (N$181 000) with emphasis on administrative support services; human resource development; support to the regional directorates and the development of the essential drug programme.

 

4. France

France supports the National Aids Control Programme in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions by an amount of three million dollars (N$3 000 000).

 

5. UNICEF

UNICEF supports my Ministry’s primary health care programmes, focusing on child health services; reproductive health; nutrition; social mobilisation and community based health care. A total amount of three million four hundred thousand (N$3 400 000.00) is made available during 1999.

 

6. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom supports Human Resource Development.

7. Germany

Germany supports the TB Control Programme, AIDS Control Programme and the Social Marketing of Condoms.

 

8. World Health Organisation

The World Health Organisation supports the Malaria Control Programme and provides general technical assistance to the Ministry.

The total support from donors to my ministry amounts to sixty six million eight hundred and seventy one thousand Namibia dollars (N$66 871 000) for 1999/2000. This represents 45.5% percent of the total development budget of my Ministry, which as you will agree, is a significant contribution. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank all our development partners for their continued support to my Ministry.

Mr. Speaker

Honourable members

In conclusion I would like to draw the attention of the House to the fact that the development budget for 1999/2000 is considerably less than what the financial framework of NDP 1 originally envisaged for my Ministry. In fact, the development budget allocation to my Ministry has decreased in real terms over the past three years. The consequence of this is that a number of projects that were supposed to commence during this financial year have to be postponed. I would therefore once again like to emphasise the need to obtain sufficient funds in order for us to be able to meet the NDP I targets.

I thank you