The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has inaugurated a N$28 million Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Windhoek Central Hospital as part of efforts to strengthen critical care for children and reduce child mortality in Namibia. The Ministry says Namibia recorded a neonatal mortality rate of 24 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, against a target of reducing this to 10 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. The country's under-five mortality rate stood at 41 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, with the ministry targeting a reduction to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Esperance Luvindao, says the new facility forms part of broader efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for children. "The true measure of a nation's health system is how it cares for its most vulnerable. Namibia remains resolutely committed to achieving the health targets set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the mandate to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age." The Ministry is implementing its Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health strategy while expanding community health worker programmes to bring primary healthcare services closer to communities. Luvindao also speaks on success stories that the previous paediatric unit had. "Between 2022 and 2026, the previous setup admitted approximately 1,090 children, with 929 successfully discharged home, resulting in an overall mortality rate of approximately 14.5%. While we commend the staff who saved those 929 lives, we must continually strive to do better for the children we dearly love and who need us most." Luvindao says the new PICU is expected to strengthen the hospital's capacity to manage critically ill children and reduce the need for transfers to private facilities.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has concluded its nationwide public consultations on proposed amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act. Stakeholders called for stronger measures to regulate emerging nicotine products and protect young people. The national consultations on the amendments were held across all 13 regions from 31 August to 15 September, with the Khomas Region hosting the final consultation.

MOHSS, MVA FUND SIGN MOU TO IMPROVE TRAUMA CARE NBC Online Fri, 09/04/2026 - 18:28

The Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund have agreed to strengthen emergency medical responses for road crash victims. The agreement cements a strategic alliance between the two entities, ensuring that accident victims receive timely and essential trauma care across the country. The MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, emphasised that public-private co-existence is vital to bolstering national healthcare systems. She noted that public hospitals must be equipped with the necessary skills and infrastructure to handle emergencies. “Treating our people requires both parties to come to the table. We need to create an environment where the public facility is able to provide the much-needed treatment, equipment, and skills. The MVA Fund is an extension of government, and it is on that basis that we started this partnership.” Dr Martins-Hausiku reaffirmed the Fund's commitment to investing directly in public health infrastructure, emphasising that swift medical intervention minimises fatalities during the critical post-crash window. Health and Social Service Minister Esperance Luvindao stressed that signing the MoU is only the beginning, challenging both teams to immediately translate the document into measurable fieldwork. “This MOU establishes a framework for action. It brings together the MVA Fund's resources with the ministry's operational expertise, healthcare professionals, ambulance services, and infrastructure. It provides for cooperation in trauma facilities, medical response, and the transport of injured patients.” Dr Luvindao stated that regional emergency systems must be decentralised so that communities do not suffer prolonged delays during life-threatening crises. "In this day and age, we should not have to transport patients involved in an accident in another region while the CEO and I are on a call until who knows what time, tracking them. We need to move past those things. That means equipping facilities in the regions with what they need." The minister said that joint partnerships are the only effective pathway to bypass bureaucratic delays and deliver efficient, lifesaving medical services nationwide.

A group of unemployed enrolled nurses has called on the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) for a fair, transparent and centralised recruitment process. The leader of the group that petitioned the ministry, Saveria Ndjeke, says the number of positions advertised by the ministry is less compared to the number of qualified applicants competing for employment. The group says it represents 82 unemployed enrolled nurses. The Kenneth Human Rights Association, spearheaded by activist Kennedy Iilonga, indicated that the number of unemployed enrolled nurses as well as other qualified nursing graduates is currently seeking employment in the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The group stressed that unemployed nurses face financial pressure from annual professional registration and maintenance fees required to remain eligible to practise. "Various complaints of unemployed and enrolled nurses were raised at the office of the Kenneth Human Rights Association by a number of nurses who are in various regions. We recently heard your remarks through the media regarding the availability of employment opportunities in the health sector and concerns that some job seekers are reluctant to work in the remote and rural areas." However, the group alleges that in some cases only two or three positions are advertised, while hundreds of qualified nurses apply. The group has proposed a centralised recruitment system, where nurses who have successfully completed the Nursing Council evaluation and meet all professional requirements are to be appointed to health facilities where staffing shortages exist. "The unemployed nurses are therefore appealing for a greater opportunity to practise the profession in which we have invested years of education, training and personal resources and ease the long queues and outstretched waiting periods of periods waiting to be served at the clinics." The group further says travelling between regions to attend interviews places an additional financial burden on graduates who are already unemployed. "A possible solution would be to consider the previous system whereby a nurse who successfully completed the nursing council evaluation and met the professional and regulatory requirements could be appointed to a health facility where they identified a staffing shortage." The group handed the petition to the Executive Director's secretary, as no one came to receive it. Contacted for comment, the Executive Director, Penda IthindI says he will not comment on an issue, which is already public knowledge.

MOHSS HOLDS CORRUPTION RISK WORKSHOP NBC Online Wed, 08/19/2026 - 12:41

ALCOHOL POISONING: The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has said that a total of nine patients who were admitted to the Otavi Health Centre on 18 August 2026 after consuming vodka energy drinks have been discharged from hospital. The vodka energy drinks were accessed by members of the public after a truck overturned and spilled the products onto the roadside. The products were, however, not intended for the Namibian market, and the Otavi Town Council had warned Namibians not to consume them as they may pose a health risk following the spillage from the truck. However, a total of nine patients were admitted to hospital after consuming the vodka drinks. They included two minors under five years old, five below 15 years, one below 17 years and one adult. Walters Kamaya, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, said all patients received medical attention and were discharged home in stable condition, with no further referrals. Photos: Contributed The post Nine patients discharged after consuming spilled vodka drinks appeared first on Informanté.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has embarked on a four-day Corruption Risk Assessment Workshop, aimed at identifying vulnerabilities in its systems and strengthening measures to prevent corruption. The Assessment workshop is being conducted in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and focuses on areas such as procurement, pharmaceutical supplies, human resources and other key ministry processes. The Deputy Executive Director in the MoHSS, Dr Theo-Ben Kandetu, says that the ministry manages public resources and remains vulnerable to corruption risks. "We have seen reports of stock data manipulation in our facilities, like the central medical stores. We have faced the unacceptable reality of artificial shortages of medicines, situations where medicines are allegedly diverted, forcing our public health facilities into costly emergency procurement exercises. Let me be clear. The abuse of emergency procurement rules to bypass transparency and artificially inflate prices is a direct threat to public health. When public funds are drained through systemic leaks, it is the ordinary, Namibian patient who pays the ultimate price." He says the ministry is taking administrative measures against implicated staff members while investigations are ongoing and is cooperating with the ACC. ACC Head of Director of Prevention, Education and Community Programmes, Marina Matundu, says the assessment is not an investigation but a preventative exercise to identify weaknesses before they are exploited. "The CRA is therefore not an investigation or an exercise to find fault. No, we are not finding fault; we are not investigating. ACC has a mandate to investigate, but we are not here for investigations. It is a proactive prevention tool designed to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen systems before they are exploited." The assessment is expected to help the ministry develop measures to close existing loopholes, strengthen internal controls and protect public licence resources. The workshop will run for four days.

The construction of a new Central Medical Store and the refurbishment of the existing warehouse are set to start following the signing of an N$178 million contract between the Central Procurement Board (CPBN) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS). The project will address the critical shortage of medical storage capacity and improve compliance with good storage practices for medicines and other essential medical supplies destined for health facilities across the country. Currently, the existing warehouse has a storage capacity of approximately 2,900 cubic metres, compared with an estimated requirement of 4,600 cubic metres. The development will also provide office accommodation and essential supporting infrastructure, including storage racking systems, security systems, water supply, electricity and sewer systems. CPBN Board Chairperson Mary Shiimi stressed the need for the project to be implemented efficiently, with value for money and the wellbeing of Namibians in mind. The MoHSS Executive Director, Penda Ithindi, acknowledged improvements in the Board's turnaround times for procurement projects. The CPBN further said the project forms part of its broader commitment to facilitating strategic public procurement projects that promote efficiency, transparency, accountability and value for money. It will also contribute to timely public service delivery and improved wellbeing for Namibians. The contract was awarded to New Era Investment JV Summit Trading CC after the successful conclusion of the procurement process.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services and the University of Namibia have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation in health skills development, research and innovation. The agreement seeks to address critical shortages of specialised health professionals in the country and strengthen Namibia's capacity to develop its own skills. Radio Current Affairs' Mauricia Koopman spoke to the Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Penda Ithindi, about the significance of the agreement and its expected impact on the health sector.

MOHSS CALLS FOR CROSS-BORDER HEALTH COOPERATION NBC Online Tue, 08/11/2026 - 15:46

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has called for stronger cross-border cooperation to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. Speaking at the Cross-Border and Synchronisation Workshop for Monkeypox and Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Preparedness in Windhoek, the Director of Health Information and Research, Erwin Nakafingo, said movement activities create pathways for the rapid spread of infectious diseases when surveillance and preventive measures are not in place. Nakafingo stressed that the goal is not only to improve the region's response to viral haemorrhagic fevers but also to build systems capable of responding to future public health emergencies. He stated that Namibia's position as a regional transport and logistics hub increases the importance of effective monitoring at major points of entry, emphasising that the region also remains vulnerable to diseases such as Ebola, Marburg and yellow fever. Nakafingo was speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Executive Director, Penda Ithindi. "Diseases do not recognise or rather respect the lines that we have drawn on the map.” A representative from the International Organization for Migration, Linnah Hangula, says diseases do not respect borders, making information sharing between countries critical. Dr Hangula stressed that people move across borders for work, trade and other reasons and that infectious diseases can also move with them. She further emphasised that this makes cooperation between neighbouring countries essential in detecting and responding to health threats. “A case identified on one side of the border is not a foreign problem. It is a shared signal demanding a shared response.” The three-day workshop is attended by health officials from Namibia, Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The aim is to strengthen surveillance, information sharing and preparedness for viral haemorrhagic fevers and other public health threats.

MOHSS & UNAM STRENGTHEN HEALTH COOPERATION NBC Online Mon, 08/10/2026 - 17:20

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of Health and Applied Sciences, in a move aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two institutions. The agreement is described as a concrete step towards creating new pathways for training, research and human resource development within Namibia's health sector. UNAM Vice Chancellor Kenneth Matengu says the university is committed to producing competent health professionals capable of addressing the country's healthcare challenges. "This MoU that we are signing today, minister, as a university, we are very, very grateful that this opportunity has finally come. Because we don't want to just issue qualifications; we want to make sure that all aspects of a human being are covered in the way we train. And when we train, these people must be ready to save on day one of graduation." Professor Matengu expressed hope that UNAM clinicians will have opportunities to be placed within health institutions after graduation, describing the agreement as the beginning of a broader partnership and what he describes as a "Memorandum of Action". Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao stressed the need to train health workers who are passionate about communities and committed to contributing meaningfully to Namibia's health sector. "This particular partnership is focused on a foundation that I would say is really centred around the goal of providing quality health care to all Namibians, irrespective of socioeconomic status. Why? Because it is the health care workers. We often say the patients are the centre of health care. Yes, that is 100%, but now the foundation of health care is the health care workers. And so your doctors, your nurses, your pharmacists, your dentists, and your physiotherapists – all of them create that foundation because without them, we don't have a healthcare system." Dr. Luvindao said the partnership forms part of efforts to rebuild trust in healthcare workers, adding that its success will ultimately be measured by how patients receive and experience healthcare. The two institutions say the collaboration is expected to strengthen the link between academic training and practical healthcare delivery. -

The sixth Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference has opened in Windhoek. The conference brings together youth leaders, students and policymakers from across the SADC region to discuss sexual and reproductive health education and other issues affecting young people. The three-day conference is hosted by the Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference in partnership with the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS). This year's edition focuses on advancing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education through research, dialogue and regional collaboration. UNAM researcher and lecturer Kahimbi Mahoto conducted a study on sexual and reproductive health experiences of students between the ages of 18 and 35 in 2024. The study highlights the need for stronger institutional support and evidence-based interventions in higher education. "These young adults are transitioning through life, which is good, right? But at the same time let's get affected. These transitions can actually lead to some adverse negative behaviours, right? So this is the time when students get to now experiment with smoking, drinking, and engaging in sex. There's nothing wrong with it if it's done within the pyramid." The conference also showcased research from young scholars ranging from endometriosis and gender equality to mental health and youth access to healthcare. Among the delegates is Anthony Bwalya, a heavy equipment engineer from Zambia. "What motivated me to attend the event is, prior to the events that have caused what has happened, I've seen young people networking; I've seen the impacts and changes that actually people that come from these conferences bring to their community. So that really gave me the motivation to say, 'Really, also, I should be part of these conferences.'" The conference also promotes cross-border collaboration among young leaders by encouraging the sharing of experiences, cultures and best practices in addressing issues such as sexual health, substance abuse and youth development. The 6th Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference runs until tomorrow and has attracted delegates from 14 Southern African countries.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has gazetted new regulations under the Health Professions Act of 2024, which was published in May this year. The regulations upgraded the admission requirements for nurses. In the older regulations, a student with 20 points across grade 12 subjects could register as an enrolled nurse, while 23 points can get you in as a registered nurse, depending on the school. The Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCN) CEO and Registrar, Dr Cornelius Weyulu, blamed the lower entry requirements on the mushrooming of nursing schools. "In the past, there was actually no law that allowed us to control these numbers, and that is why the mushrooming was coming from. We have passed a regulation in May which gave us the power to control the number of students that are enrolled in these programmes. We were criticised every now and then by the public that we are allowing people that even have lower points to enter into the health care professions." Due to poor performance, more than 2600 nursing and midwifery graduates failed the compulsory national assessment administered by the health council last year. The council says the pass rate has improved slightly since then. "Somewhere in 2025 we tried to issue a directive to control the numbers of the intakes, and we were reminded that actually it is not our responsibility to do it because that is the responsibility of the registering authority." One major problem contributing to the high number of nurses' enrolment was the registration pipeline, which became a dual crisis of systemic oversupply in some areas and severe shortage in others, like social workers. Currently, the Social Workers and Psychology board has 890 members, and it is estimated that there is one social worker for every 17,000 children, according to Namibia's national development data. In 2024, the Gender Equality and Child Welfare ministry recorded 14,000 cases of violence against children, a dire situation in the absence of sufficient social workers. "It should be a concern to all of us, and probably prevention should not wait for professionals to do it because it has to do with how society is carrying itself, and therefore probably we have to start from the household level. Of course health care professionals are required to come in to be able to assist with preventative mechanisms, with rehabilitation and with curative aspects." So far, there are 17 schools implementing the approved health professions curriculum, and one is pending approval. The new required admission points to be enrolled as a registered nurse, midwife and accoucheur practitioner are 32 points, and for an enrolled nurse course, one needs 24 points. There are over 17 000 registered nurses with the Nursing Board.

As Namibia joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from 1 to 7 August, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is intensifying efforts to raise awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and the need for stronger support systems for mothers. Under this year's campaign, the Ministry will host a public awareness march aimed at encouraging families, communities, workplaces, healthcare providers, and policymakers to promote and protect breastfeeding as a vital foundation for healthier children and stronger communities.

Renthia Kaimbi Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga called an urgent meeting with health and education officials to reassure the public following an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) at several schools in the coastal town. The meeting, convened last week, brought together officials from the ministry of health and social services (MoHSS) and […]

Renthia Kaimbi Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga called an urgent meeting with health and education officials to reassure the public following an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) at several schools in the coastal town. The meeting, convened last week, brought together officials from the ministry of health and social services (MoHSS) and the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture (MEIYSAC) to coordinate a response and ensure accurate information reaches concerned parents and residents. Addressing the gathering, Dr Boois of the MoHSS moved to calm fears, clarifying that HFMD is a common viral infection affecting humans and should not be mistaken for foot-and-mouth disease, which affects livestock. “This illness is comparable to chickenpox,” Dr Boois explained. “Those infected typically experience flu-like symptoms, followed by a rash or blisters on the hands, feet and inside the mouth.” Health officials emphasised that the condition is generally mild and self-limiting, with most patients recovering fully within seven days through rest, adequate hydration and symptomatic treatment. Serious complications are rare, they stressed. The health ministry said it is currently investigating confirmed cases, conducting visits to affected schools and working closely with healthcare providers to monitor the situation and curb further transmission. Parents have been urged to play their part in preventing spread by ensuring children wash their hands regularly with soap and water and by disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at home. Officials advised that only children displaying symptoms should remain at home, and they may return to school only once their rashes have completely dried up. Shimbilinga said the meeting was convened to reassure residents and promote clear, factual communication as authorities continue to monitor the situation. “I urge the public to remain calm,” he said. “This outbreak is being managed in close collaboration between the health and education ministries.” The municipality has pledged to keep residents informed as the situation develops.

MOHSS MODERNISES COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM NBC Online Wed, 07/22/2026 - 17:59