Dear Colleagues,
We are fast approaching the cut-off date for the national cost study survey.
This survey is critical to establishing a Namibian Benchmark Tariff that reflects the real costs of private healthcare services. The current NAMAF Benchmark is not only outdated—it has not been updated since 2002—but also unlawfully relies on copyrighted data that SAMA has confirmed is being used without authorisation. The continued use of these tariff codes, particularly in combination with ICD-10 codes, raises serious legal concerns about intellectual property infringement and regulatory overreach by the funds.
NPPF’s investigation has revealed that the current funding model, driven by NAMAF, is structurally unsustainable and likely to collapse within the next three years. This would have devastating effects on many practices, especially hospital-based ones. The Ministry of Health is already calling on practitioners to offer after-hours pro bono services at Katutura Hospital to ease growing congestion—a clear sign of worsening systemic strain.
While there is much hope for Universal Health Coverage, a task team under the Social Security Commission and USAID some 12 years ago has concluded that Namibia’s socio-economic conditions place such a model outside current affordability.
We understand that time is scarce, and we are deeply grateful to the 41 practices who have already completed the survey. Your efforts are safeguarding the future of private healthcare. We’ve attached a list received from HealthMan of submitted surveys by name and profession, as well as recorded financial contributions, for verification—please ensure that your practice and/or contribution is accurately reflected.
To reach a statistically valid sample, we urgently need at least 130 completed surveys. That means we still need 89 more submissions to ensure this vital investment delivers the change we all need before or on 20 JULY 2024.
Completing these forms (respectively sending your 2023/2024 annual financial statements submitted to NAMRA) is an investment in your professional future. Without an independent, evidence-based cost framework, we remain at the mercy of NAMAF’s distorted and unilateral definitions of value.
We are counting on your support to make this breakthrough possible.
Kind regards
Dr Jürgen Hoffmann
CEO: NAMIBIA PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS FORUM
Cell: 081 1242884
Email: ceo@nppf.info
