Namibia to train three new state psychiatrists a year
Namibia is dealing with a chronic shortage of government mental health specialists for its population of about three million. Minister Esperance Luvindao stated that the country currently has only about six state psychiatrists. To fix this, the government plans to train three new state psychiatrists per year. Luvindao noted that mental health services have been underfunded compared to physical health services. This lack of funding is linked to stigmatized views of mental health in the country.
Namibia faces a severe and chronic shortage of government mental health specialists for a population of about three million people, with health and social services minister Esperance Luvindao saying the government plans to train more psychiatrists to address the shortage. Currently, the country only about six state psychiatrists nationwide. Luvindao says the country has stigmatised views of mental health, which results in mental health services being less prioritised in healthcare budgets and policy planning. She says mental health services have been receiving less funding compared to physical health services, leading to shortages of mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists,