Namibia Health Insurance

Feeling comfortable in the knowledge that if something was to happen to a family member their medical costs will be taken care of, is important to us all. Our expert consultants can advise on the most suitable level of coverage for families, individuals, groups, travelers, and teachers expatriate health insurance.

Expatriate Health Insurance Namibia

Pacific Prime is an expatriate insurance broker specialising in providing overseas medical insurance for Namibia nationals living, working or holidaying abroad. If you are a non Namibia national and moving to Namibia we can also provide plans that meet your specific requirements.

Professional Service you can trust

Pacific Prime Insurance will be with you for the duration of your policy. We offer additional customer services that include claims advice, emergency contact numbers and medical advice lines. We also maintain a comprehensive list of Namibia hospitals/doctors. Most of our clients are expatriates so we maintain a list of Embassies in Namibia.

As a leading broker of medical insurance in Namibia we keep up on the latest insurance trends and Namibia Insurance News.

We can offer expatriates in Namibia dedicated international health insurance plans that will provide comprehensive coverage in the East and around the world. Plans that we can offer will usually have a number of benefits that a policyholder is able to tailor to suit their specific requirements. With coverage options including out-patient, dental, maternity, and emergency evacuation, you will be assured of receiving the highest levels of quality treatment anywhere in the world.

Namibia Medical Insurance

Namibia, officially named the Republic of Namibia, is situated in South West Africa. Dry and sparsely populated, the country borders South Africa to the south and east, Botswana to the east, and Angola and Zambia to the north. The Atlantic Ocean runs along its entire western coastline. Namibia has a serious poverty issue for a country with a population of only 2.1 million people, with approximately half of the populace living below the international poverty line. English is the nation’s official language, although almost half of the local population speaks Oshiwambo as their first language. Afrikaans is spoken by the majority of Caucasian residents, with German being used as the main commercial language. Most road signs and public notices in the larger cities and population centers are multi-lingual. Herding, tourism, mining and agriculture provide the core of Namibia’s growing economy. With large parts of Namibia covered in desert precipitation levels vary greatly, with areas of the coastal desert receiving little or no rainfall throughout the year, often resulting in droughts. The period from June to August, technically Namibia’s winter, is generally dry. Two wet seasons occur from September to November and from February to April, with the north east of the country, commonly known as the Caprivi Strip, receiving the bulk of the annual rainfall.

In 1920, the League of Nations mandated control of Namibia to South Africa, which in 1948 introduced its apartheid system. However, Namibia gain independence from South Africa in 1990, and has since been governed by a stable, multi-party parliamentary democracy.

Under the apartheid system the Namibian healthcare system was racially segregated. One of the first tasks the new government set out to achieve was a fair and equitable health system for all Namibians. Successive governments have allocated approximately 15 percent of the total national budget to the public health sector. The Department of Health and Social Services initiated a National Primary Healthcare System policy document which set out specific goals aimed at improving citizen’s health. Public health care is, in principle, widely available to all Namibians; however, in practice the public health sector suffers from long waiting times and general absenteeism among medical personnel.

There remain real issues with respect to accessibility, in particular between rich and poor, and between city and rural dwellers. This issue was recently highlighted when the Department of Health and Social Services acknowledged that 84 percent of the population relies on public healthcare, placing an extraordinary burden on public finances. New initiatives are being developed between the public and private healthcare sector to increase awareness of private Namibia health insurance, and the various options available with regards to alternative medical services. These initiatives will also aim to reach the general workforce, so that they have access to, and can afford, private health care and medical insurance protection. Both Public and Private medical providers within Namibia have publicly committed themselves to successful public-private partnerships in the country’s healthcare sector.

Medical facilities comparable to international standards can be found in the Namibian capital, Windhoek, and in other large towns; however, outside of the larger populated areas the quality of facilities tends to vary. There are state run hospitals in all major towns, and the majority of medical practitioners are educated to international standards. Healthcare centers and mobile clinics operate in smaller towns, villages and rural settlements.

Windhoek boasts two public, and three private hospitals; approximately 80 percent of Namibia’s medical specialists are based in the city. Many doctors, hospitals and private clinics will expect up-front payment in cash, regardless of whether or not you possess travel health insurance covering Namibia.

A wide range of medicines and drugs can be purchased in Windhoek, and Pharmacists strictly adhere to the standards set by the American Food and Drug organization with all imported medication controlled for distribution by the local Drug Control Board. A sparse and widespread population has resulted in considerably more air evacuation than in most other countries. Medical emergency evacuation services extend to all corners of Namibia. They are supported by a well-developed air industry, landing strips and a well-maintained road network. Serious medical problems that cannot be treated in Windhoek require a short air-evacuation to South Africa. The largest percentage of cases requiring emergency evacuation relate to road accidents, mostly on rural gravel roads by non-nationals who are not used to the local driving conditions.

Due to the prevalence of medical evacuations within the country, and the predisposition for foreign nationals to become involved in serious road accidents, Pacific Prime highly advises that all expatriates in Namibia obtain a comprehensive expatriate insurance policy which provides an emergency evacuation benefit.

Visitors to Namibia are advised to seek professional medical advice before traveling, preferably from a doctor specializing in travel medicine. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Polio and Rabies are recommended. Cholera outbreaks do occur from time to time and while mains water is purified and safe, visitors should only use boiled or bottled water; ice should be avoided in drinks.

Namibia suffers from three major diseases; HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a major problem in Namibia. Although infection rates are much lower than most of its neighbors in Sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 15% of the population is infected by HIV. The disease has been particularly damaging to the country’s working class, resulting in increasing numbers of orphans requiring state care.

Malaria is prevalent throughout northern half of the country, with the general rule being to take adequate precautions against the disease when traveling to any area north of the capital Windhoek. The issue of malaria appears to be directly connected to the AIDS epidemic. Researchers have shown that in Namibia the risk of contracting malaria is 14.5 percent greater if a person is also infected with HIV. The risk of death from malaria is also raised by approximately 50 per cent with a simultaneous HIV infection. With HIV/Aids infection rates so high in Namibia, coupled with a growing malaria problem, a large proportion of the government health budget is set aside for HIV/AIDS and malaria treatment.

Holiday makers and short stay visitors are advised to carry photographic identification at all times. A photocopy of the biometric page and Namibian immigration stamps are sufficient. Violent street crime such as muggings and robberies are on the increase. Attacks have taken place in busy city centre areas, even during daytime, and visitors are advised to exercise caution at all times. Common sense precautionary measures such as being alert to surroundings and avoiding isolated areas can ensure an incident free visit.

Hiring a taxi is a cheap and convenient method of transport in Windhoek and other large cities. However, several unlicensed taxi drivers have been involved in assaults and thefts, if taxis are to be used only use taxis that display the NABTA logo (Namibia Bus and Taxi Association). Road conditions in Windhoek and large cities and towns are generally of a high standard. Rural roads are usually made from gravel, and although these roads are well maintained, controlling a vehicle on gravel is far more difficult than on concrete. Visitors should be aware that motor vehicle accidents in Namibia are one of the primary causes of injury and death, and motorists are urged to drive with care.

Emergency measures should be enacted in the case of an accident or illness or those who are the victim of a criminal offense. Individuals requiring emergency services should dial 211-111. The International SOS (ISOS) operate a 24 hour emergency center in Windhoek, including a fleet of air ambulances and dedicated road response vehicles.

Purchasing comprehensive international medical insurance before traveling to Namibia is strongly recommended. Emergency medical and healthcare costs are expensive. For more information about the various products and services Pacific Prime can offer, or to receive a free expatriate health insurance quote, please contact one of our advisers today.