Namibia inaugurates first public-sector MRI machine since independence

Namibia has switched on its first ever government-owned MRI machine in the public health sector, ending a 36-year gap since independence during which public patients needing the scan had to be sent to private hospitals.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, represented at the 9 September ceremony by Charles Mubita, the Minister in the Presidency, inaugurated the machine at Windhoek Central Hospital in the capital, Windhoek, the Ministry of Health and Social Services said.

Over the past five years, more than 4,000 public patients needing an MRI, a scan that uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain, spine, joints and other organs, had to be referred to private facilities and the cost fell on the state.

That added up to more than N$80 million, or roughly N$16 million a year, President Nandi-Ndaitwah said in her speech, as reported by The Namibian.

Building the new unit cost the government close to N$50 million, fully funded without foreign aid, and the machine is expected to serve patients for about 20 years.

Continuing to refer patients privately over that same period could have cost roughly N$320 million, the president said.

Health Minister Esperance Luvindao called the launch a turning point for public healthcare delivery and tied it to Namibia's push toward universal health coverage, Informanté reported.

Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services (MHSS), press statement, 9 September 2026; The Namibian, presidential speech transcript, 9 September 2026; Informanté, 9 September 2026.