In March 2025, Dr. Esperance Luvindao was appointed as Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services, marking a significant milestone in her career dedicated to public health advocacy.
Dr. Luvindao’s journey in medicine began with her earning an MBChB degree from the University of Namibia School of Medicine. She furthered her education with an MBA from the Management College of Southern Africa and a Diploma in Public Health from the University of Pretoria.
Her academic pursuits have been complemented by executive and management coaching studies at the University of Cape Town. Her career is marked by a commitment to women’s health and digital innovation. She founded the Osaat Africa Health Foundation, which focuses on women’s health education and access to contraceptives.
The foundation launched “Menga,” a digital platform for medication access in informal settlements, and developed a portable sonar probe for fibroid and obstetric assessments in rural areas. Dr. Luvindao also initiated “One Step at a Time,” a project that has provided medication and medical equipment to over 35,000 Namibians in remote villages.
Her efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in vaccine campaigns, have been widely recognized. Her appointment as Minister of Health and Social Services is a testament to her unwavering dedication to improving healthcare access and outcomes, especially for women and underserved communities.
