Mental health services needed in every region
National Council members have called for mental health services to be made available in every region, particularly in rural areas, as Namibia considers a new Mental Health Bill. Speaking during debate on the Mental Health Bill, Bill No. 8 of 2025, members said the proposed legislation would bring mental health services closer to communities instead of relying mainly on facilities in Windhoek and Oshakati.
Andreas Namwenyo Amundjindi said Namibia currently has only two facilities accommodating people with mental health conditions, Windhoek Central Hospital and Oshakati Hospital. The facilities were described as overcrowded, with Windhoek Central accommodating patients from nine regions. The member called for additional facilities, particularly in Kabango East, to serve people from Kavango West, Kavango East and Zambezi. A facility was also proposed for Hardap to serve residents from Hardap and ||Karas while reducing the cost of transporting patients and making it easier for family members to visit them.
Vilho Nuunyango further stated that it is important for each region to have mental health facilities, especially in rural areas, so that people could access services closer to home. The debate also highlighted a shortage of specialists. In Oshakati, members said there was no clinical psychologist in the psychiatric department, raising concerns about how patients could receive appropriate treatment without the necessary professionals. "It is to protect human rights and dignity and address ore real challenges" said Nuunyango. Members described the Bill as a shift from an approach focused on confinement towards one centred on healing, support and reintegration, while protecting the dignity and rights of people with mental health conditions.
