Interview: Edward Shivute: “We Must Not Let Funding Cuts Cost Lives”

Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) Project Manager Edward Shivute has sounded the alarm over healthcare delivery disruptions caused by dwindling international funding, warning that Namibia must act fast to safeguard critical services such as antiretroviral treatment (ART) provision.

In an interview with Future Media News, Shivute revealed that several major funders have frozen or paused their financial support to health initiatives across the country. This funding gap has left some community-based clinics with no choice but to shut their doors—disrupting service delivery, particularly to vulnerable groups who rely on ART medication.

“The global funding landscape is changing, and Namibia is not spared. Some clinics have closed, and we’ve seen an increase in ART default cases,” Shivute said. He estimated that up to 30% of ART clients under WBCG’s care have not been traced after their regular facilities stopped operating.

However, Shivute welcomed the Namibian government’s assurance that it would absorb patients affected by clinic closures into public healthcare facilities. “Our Ministry of Health is committed to universal coverage. We are encouraging patients to transfer their treatment to government clinics where the services are still available,” he explained.

Shivute also stressed that patients should not abandon their treatment simply because their previous clinic is no longer operational. “This is an ongoing education and advocacy process. We are talking to patients every day—your life depends on continuity of treatment,” he said.

Beyond ART, Shivute highlighted an alarming rise in mental health concerns and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes—especially among workers in Namibia’s transport and logistics sector.

“Over 50% of corporate employees we’ve screened show signs of high blood pressure. Stress, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles are catching up with our workforce,” Shivute noted. He said WBCG is now shifting its focus to holistic workplace wellness programs to tackle these emerging health risks.

As international donor funding shrinks, Shivute called on Namibia’s private sector to step up. “We’re exploring domestic funding options, speaking to companies, and reallocating internal resources. We must find sustainable models to continue providing high-impact services, even with reduced financial support,” he said.

Finally, Shivute urged companies to collaborate with organisations like the WBCG to build in-house health programs tailored to their workforce needs. “Together, we can identify critical health triggers early and respond effectively,” he concluded.

By Leonard Witbeen | Future Media News
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