GOVERNMENT GAZETTE OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA N$6.00 WINDHOEK - 3 April 2020 No. 7169 CONTENTS Page GENERAL NOTICE No. 129 Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority: Covid - 19 Pandemic: Declaration of undesirable practice in terms of Section 4(9) of the Medical Aid Funds Act, 1995 .................................................. 1 ________________ General Notice Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority No. 129 2020 COVID - 19 PANDEMIC: DECLARATION OF UNDESIRABLE PRACTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 4(9) OF THE MEDICAL AID FUNDS ACT, 1995 1. Following reports of confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease, commonly known as COVID - 19, in Namibia, and the declaration by the President of the Republic of Namibia His Excellency, Dr. Hage G. Geingob of a state of emergency, certain medical aid funds (“Funds”) have taken measures to minimize the impact of COVID - 19 on the business of the Funds. 2. The World Health Organization (“WHO”) has declared that: “Diagnostic testing for COVID - 19 is critical to tracking the virus, understanding epidemiology, informing case management, and to suppressing transmission.” (WHO, 2020) Having regard to the seriousness of the COVID - 19 pandemic and its implication on human life, it is imperative that members of Funds who meet the criteria for laboratory testing, be afforded access to the diagnostic testing and subsequent healthcare treatment recommended by WHO in accordance with their benefit option limits. 3. Against this background and under section 4(9) of the Medical Aid Funds Act, 1995 (Act No. 23 of 1995) (the “Act”), I hereby declare the practice of the curtailment of the use of benefits that members are entitled to in terms of the rules of Funds as an undesirable practice