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June 2026
Windhoek Observer
Central Medical Storesis targeted in the investigation foralleged theft, diversion, or resale of pharmaceutical medicines
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“Investigators are also seeking any records or knowledge relating to the alleged theft, diversion, or resale of pharmaceutical or clinical medicines from the Central Medical Stores or elsewhere within the national medical supply chain.”
Central Medical Storesreceived essential medicines and clinical supplies delivered overthe past two weeks
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“The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MHSS) has intensified efforts to stabilise Namibia's pharmaceutical supply chain, with a wide range of essential medicines and clinical supplies delivered to the Central Medical Stores over the past two weeks.”
Central Medical Storesreceived several pharmaceutical and clinical suppliesbetween 27 April and 15 May 2026
Source
“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.”
Central Medical Storesreceived supplies between27 April and 15 May as part of ongoing interventions
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“She said supplies received at the Central Medical Stores between 27 April and 15 May form part of ongoing interventions aimed at improving availability of essential medicines and health commodities.”
Central Medical Storesreceivedseveral medicine deliveries between 27 April and 15 May 2026
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“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-month supply, linezolid tablets with a 12-month supply and zidovudine syrup with a 12-month supply.”
Central Medical Storesexperienced allegedmanipulation of stock records and medicine diversion
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“Reports that 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 – should concern every Namibian.”
Central Medical Storesmay be implicated infraudulent activities including stock manipulation and theft
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“The ministry last week informed the public that certain staff members, particularly at the Central Medical Stores, may be complicit in fraudulent activities.”
Central Medical Storesis linked to supply constraints for anaesthetic agentsaffecting Rundu Intermediate Hospital
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“A leaked internal letter dated 14 April shows that the hospital has run out of anaesthetic agents needed for general anaesthesia, with the shortage also linked to supply constraints at Central Medical Stores.”
Central Medical Storeshad material stolen from itthat the government was buying
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“The Public Procurement Review Panel issued the slap on the wrist after investigations established without a doubt that the government was buying its own material stolen from the Central Medical Stores.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Services' procurement committee has blocked senior officials' proposal to bypass public tender procedures for a N$1-billion medicine purchase, citing concerns that emergency procurement could be abused. The tender was meant to address medicine shortages at public hospitals and clinics.
Why it matters
Health ministry blocks N$1b emergency medicine tender amid concerns about procurement abuse—a critical accountability story affecting public hospital drug supplies.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services' procurement committee has blocked senior officials' proposal to bypass public tender procedures for a N$1-billion medicine purchase, citing concerns that emergency procurement could be abused. The tender was meant to address medicine shortages at public hospitals and clinics.
The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has cleared Fabupharm Pty Ltd's paracetamol syrup for use after independent laboratory tests confirmed it met safety and quality standards. The clearance was issued in May following the product's recall last year, which came after routine inspection shortcomings were identified.
The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has confirmed that Fabu-Paracetamol meets required safety and quality standards following independent laboratory testing of samples from health facilities. The tests found all batches complied with quality specifications, contained correct active pharmaceutical ingredient levels, and contained no toxic contaminants such as diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has ordered the Namibia Central Intelligence Service to conduct background checks on about 360 health ministry officials, mostly from the pharmaceutical services directorate at the Central Medical Stores, following allegations of fraud and corruption involving government employees and tenderpreneurs rigging medical tenders and manipulating orders worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has cancelled pharmaceutical and clinical product orders worth N$44.8 million extended to 12 companies after suppliers failed to deliver medicines to the Central Medical Stores, including treatments for mental illness, cancer, and chronic conditions.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has issued a formal summons to a member of the ministry of health and social services' Bid Evaluation Committee to appear for questioning over allegations of procurement manipulation, supply chain fraud, and theft of pharmaceutical medicines from state warehouses. The official is to appear before an ACC investigator on 18 August 2026.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has removed Fransina Nambahu as registrar of medicines at the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council and appointed Frieda Shiweda to the position effective 1 June 2026. Sources told the Windhoek Observer that Nambahu was removed after refusing to approve substandard medicines, contradicting the ministry's stated reason of structural review.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited FabuPharm, Namibia's only fully-fledged pharmaceutical manufacturing company, in Otjiwarongo, citing medicine shortages in public hospitals as a priority concern. FabuPharm produces over 150 medicines and healthcare products locally and supplies some directly to government hospitals through the Central Medical Stores.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.