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Wednesday, 20 May 2026
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Wednesday, 20 May 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Central Medical Stores

Also known as: CMS

Central Medical Stores — Namibia's pharmaceutical distribution facility subject to investigations into alleged fraud and stock manipulation, currently maintaining 60% stock levels against 80% target.

2023-12-202026-05-20
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026

  4. … According to the ministry, several pharmaceutical and clinical supplies were delivered to the Central Medical Stores between 27 April and 15 May 2026 as part of ongoing efforts to improve the availability of essential medicines and health commodities nationwide. …

    Informanté

    Health ministry moves to address medicine shortages

  5. Afripharm seeks to halt N$1.3 billion state medicine tender

    2. … Between 27 April and 15 May 2026, the Central Medical Stores (CMS) received several deliveries, including propofol injections with a nine-month supply, carbamazepine tablets with a 2.8-month supply, doxycycline capsules with a three-month supply, hydroxyurea capsules with a 14.2- …

      Windhoek Observer

      Asoli says President is silent on medicine shortages
  6. April 2026

  9. … The ministry last week informed the public that certain staff members, particularly at the Central Medical Stores, may be complicit in fraudulent activities. …

    New Era

    Healthrot flagged in supply chain

Today

  1. Doctors challenge health minister's claim on medicine stock improvement

    Medical specialists at public hospitals dispute health minister Esperance Luvindao's assertion that pharmaceutical stock levels have improved to 60%, saying critical shortages of essential medications continue to affect patient care across departments.

    4 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. Ministry reports essential medicines delivered, stock below target

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has intensified efforts to stabilise Namibia's pharmaceutical supply chain, with essential medicines and clinical supplies delivered to the Central Medical Stores over the past two weeks. The country's pharmaceutical stock service level currently stands at about 60%, below the targeted minimum of 80%, though urgent procurement interventions are showing progress.

    19 May 2026 · New Era →

Monday 18 May

  1. Health ministry adds supplies to address medicine shortages

    The Ministry of Health reports that several essential pharmaceutical products are in short supply or out of stock at health facilities. The Central Medical Stores received pharmaceutical and clinical supplies between 27 April and 15 May 2026, including stocks of seizure control medication, blood glucose test strips, and blood pressure management drugs, intended to address urgent needs and stabilise inventory levels.

    18 May 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Health ministry pledges monthly medicine delivery transparency reports

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services reports national pharmaceutical stock levels at 60%, below the 80% target, with several essential medicines understocked or out of stock across public healthcare facilities. The ministry will now issue monthly reports on pharmaceutical and clinical product deliveries to improve transparency and stabilise supply levels.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Asoli criticizes President's silence on hospital medicine shortages

    The Asoli Progressive Party has criticized President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for what it describes as insufficient response to ongoing medicine shortages in public hospitals, with the party's president Josef Kauandenge saying the government has not acted with enough urgency. Public concern has grown in recent weeks after patients were referred to private pharmacies due to stock-outs, though the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced it will now provide monthly updates on pharmaceutical supplies, with current stock levels at about 60% of required quantities.

    18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 17 May

  1. Afripharm seeks to halt N$1.3 billion state medicine tender

    Sara Katiti's Afripharm Investments is seeking to stop government contract negotiations on a N$1.3 billion tender for mental health, cancer, and chronic-disease medicines to state hospitals, arguing the tender expired in March 2025. The procurement has been mired in court disputes since April 2023, including a challenge over a N$1.3 billion award to a company owned by a five-year-old child.

    17 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 26 April

  1. Health Ministry uncovers fraud in pharmaceutical supply chain

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has uncovered suspected fraud within Namibia's pharmaceutical supply chain, including alleged manipulation of stock records and diversion of medicines at the Central Medical Stores, contributing to shortages of critical medicines and suspension of elective surgeries at some hospitals. The editorial argues that while the ministry's investigation and reassignment of implicated staff are necessary first steps, thorough investigation, accountability and structural reform are essential to address systemic weaknesses and restore public confidence.

    26 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Health ministry under multiple corruption investigations by ACC

    The Anti-corruption Commission is investigating multiple cases of theft and fraud within the Ministry of Health and Social Services, which also launched its own internal investigation after discovering alleged stock manipulation and diversion of pharmaceutical supplies within the Central Medical Stores. The ministry has reassigned implicated staff members pending investigation outcomes.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. Health ministry investigates fraud in pharmaceutical supply chain

    The Namibian health ministry has launched an investigation into alleged fraud and theft within its pharmaceutical supply chain, including stock data manipulation and diversion of medicines. Executive director Penda Ithindi said implicated Central Medical Stores staff have been reassigned pending investigation, with criminal proceedings possible if guilt is established.

    20 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 17 April

  1. Health ministry investigates alleged pharmaceutical fraud by staff

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched an investigation into suspected fraudulent activities within the pharmaceutical supply chain, allegedly involving ministry staff at the Central Medical Stores who may have manipulated stock data, stolen supplies, and created artificial shortages. The implicated staff have been reassigned pending investigation, and the ministry says those found guilty will face disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Second hospital suspends elective surgery over anaesthetic drug shortage

    Rundu Intermediate Hospital has halted elective surgeries due to shortages of critical anaesthetic agents needed for general anaesthesia, linked to supply constraints at Central Medical Stores. This follows a similar suspension at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, with both hospitals prioritizing emergency cases using remaining anaesthetic stock.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Onandjokwe Hospital suspends elective surgeries due to anaesthetic shortage

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has suspended all elective surgical procedures after running out of critical anaesthetic agents required for general anaesthesia, with similar supply constraints affecting the Central Medical Stores. The suspension is intended to prioritize limited supplies for emergency cases, and has raised parliamentary concerns about patient safety and operational stability at public health facilities.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Central Medical Stores — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute