C ommo nwe a l t h memb e r c o u n t r i e s estimated mortality (when mortality data excludes cases comorbid with HIV) from tuberculosis (TB) in the period 2003–12, although both figures are presently higher than they were in 1990. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for an estimated 43 per cent of all mortality in 2012. The most prevalent noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Namibia are cardiovascular diseases, which accounted for 21 per cent of total deaths across all age groups in 2012. Cancers, non-communicable variants of respiratory diseases and diabetes contributed, five per cent, four per cent and four per cent to total mortality, respectively (2012). Injuries accounted for ten per cent of deaths in 2012. There is a lack of data concerning the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in Namibia. However, studies have shown links between mental illness in the country and HIV/AIDS: an estimated one-third of all those who are HIV positive have exhibited symptoms of depression. Health systems: In 2012 government expenditure on health was 5.1 per cent of GDP, equivalent to US$292 per capita. In the most recent survey, conducted between 1997 and 2010, there were 37 medical doctors, and 278 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people. Additionally, in the most recent year for which data was available in the period 2007–12, 81 per cent of births were attended by qualified health staff and, in 2013, 82 per cent of one-year-olds were immunised with one dose of measles. In 2012, 92 per cent of the Namibian population had access to improved water sources and 32 per cent had access to adequate sanitation facilities. In the most recent survey, conducted in the period 2000–11, Namibia had 18 pharmaceutical personnel per 100,000 people. Namibia has a large, dispersed and complex health system made up of around 1,150 outreach points, 265 clinics, 44 health centres, 30 district hospitals, three intermediate hospitals and a national referral hospital – Windhoek Central Hospital – as well as some social welfare service points. The public health sector has a threetier structure with central, regional and district levels. The public and private not-for-profit health care system serves 85 per cent of the population. Private health care serves the richest 15 per cent of the population. While there is some local pharmaceutical manufacturing, this is mostly small scale and the majority of the country’s pharmaceutical requirements are imported. The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council is a statutory body established by the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act 2003 to regulate the use of medicines in Namibia. Under-five mortality 80 70 60 50 40 30 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Under-five mortality per 1,000 live births 2015 MDG 4 target 70 60 220 Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015 20 Life expectancy and HIV/AIDS 20 15 10 5 1980 1990 2000 2013 Prevalence of HIV/AIDS among those aged 15–49 Life expectancy Prevalence of HIV, total (% of population aged 15-49) Life expectancy in years 50 0 Mortality by cause of death (% of all deaths), 2012 Injuries Communicable diseases, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions Non-communicable diseases Tuberculosis: Incidence and mortality 1990 2000 2010 Mortality excluding cases comorbid with HIV (per100,000 people) Incidence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people) – including cases comorbid with HIV 2000 1500 1000 500 0
Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015
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