Health from North Namibia to Zambia

The Vontobel Foundation is providing support for the project “Mudiro Multiplicator: Education” led by the Bern-based Mudiro Association, whose goal is to unite health, education, and awareness to establish long-term, stable, and well-functioning healthcare systems in Namibia and Zambia.

The Mudiro Association pursues a vision of assisting people living in remote regions of Africa in meeting their fundamental needs for healthcare and education. The Kavango region in northern Namibia and selected areas in Zambia are among the most neglected regions in Africa when it comes to these two basic human needs. The health situation of the population is precarious; women and children are particularly at risk.

Mudiro, together with the University of Namibia, the Ministry of Health, and local health facilities, organizes training programs for local doctors and caregivers. The focal points of this training are sexual and reproductive health and the rights of young people. Gynecology and obstetrics are also part of the program, delivered by women for women.

Each year, approximately 20 doctors and other healthcare professionals from Switzerland and Germany travel as volunteers on assignment to Namibia and Zambia, sharing their expertise with local colleagues.

The primary goal of the project is to sustainably improve the quality of healthcare and education in North Namibia and Zambia through targeted activities. Mudiro pursues a multiplicative approach, whereby the training of local professionals, the deployment of mobile clinics, and public awareness work together to establish long-term, stable, and functioning healthcare systems. Thanks to this continuous training of medical professionals, the population is assured access to qualified health services even after the project itself has concluded.

In addition to training local professionals, Mudiro also operates what is called the “Mobile Clinic.” Using a truck that has been converted into a doctor’s office, medical personnel are able to reach people in the poorest, remote areas who cannot afford transportation to a hospital.

The Vontobel Foundation is supporting Mudiro Association’s project “Mudiro Multiplicator: Education” in the years 2025 and 2026.