Also known as: minister Luvindao · Dr. Luvindao · Dr Luvindao · Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao · Hon. Dr. Luvindao · Hon Dr Luvindao · health minister Esperance Luvindao · Dr Esperance Luvindao · Dr. Esperance Luvindao · Dr Esperence Luvindao · Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Esperance Luvindao · Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao · current health minister Esperance Luvindao · Health and social services minister · Health Minister Dr. Esperance Luvindao
Dr Esperance Luvindao — Health Minister overseeing ambulance procurement, cholera outbreak response, and medical claims settlements in Namibia.
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Informanté
Dr Esperance Luvindao reported 8,760 confirmed malaria cases from weeks 1-4 in 2026, a 68% increase
“As of 25th January 2026, the country reported a total of 8,760 confirmed malaria cases from week 1 to week 4 in 2026, compared to 5,229 cases for the same period in 2025. This is an increase of 68%, in relative terms.”
Over 8,000 malaria cases recordedInformanté
Luvindao revealed highest malaria cases in Katima Mulilo District with 1,448 cases, 17% of total
“Luvindao revealed that the highest number of confirmed malaria cases have been reported in Katima Mulilo District, with 1,448 cases, accounting for 17% of the total, followed by Outapi District, with 1,287 cases, making up 15%.”
Over 8,000 malaria cases recordedThe Namibian
Health minister Esperance Luvindao announced detection of 20 districts surpassing epidemic threshold
“"The Ministry of Health and Social Services has detected 20 health districts that have surpassed the epidemic threshold and are experiencing outbreaks," health minister Esperance Luvindao announced in a statement on Monday.”
Health ministry records 8 000 malaria cases, 11 deaths in JanuaryNew Era
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao expressed dismay over prolonged delays and repeated missed deadlines by contractors
“Luvindao, who recently paid surprise visits to numerous health facilities in the Gobabis district, expressed dismay over prolonged delays and repeated missed deadlines by contractors who are tasked with constructing and renovating critical health projects.”
Gobabis hospital irks LuvindaoNew Era
The minister directed that all contractors with outstanding and delayed projects have contracts immediately terminated
“The minister has since directed that all contractors with outstanding and delayed projects should have their contracts immediately terminated, a process that started with the termination of two major contracts of undisclosed companies last week.”
Gobabis hospital irks LuvindaoThe Namibian
Health minister Esperance Luvindao said the registration of lenacapavir is an important step, but access remains a major concern due to its high cost
“Health minister Esperance Luvindao said while the registration of lenacapavir is an important step, access remains a major concern due to its high cost.”
Namibia registers twice-a-year HIV prevention drugInformanté
Dr Esperance Luvindao, the Minister of Health announced that vaccination teams have been deployed nationwide
“Dr Esperance Luvindao, the Minister of Health, announced that vaccination teams have been deployed nationwide to carry out door-to-door visits, village outreach, and provide vaccinations at health facilities, schools, kindergartens, private clinics, markets, and other public spaces.”
National polio vaccination campaign launchedInformanté
Luvindao stressed that the campaign is crucial to prevent potential outbreaks
“Nonetheless, she stressed that the campaign is crucial to act swiftly and prevent potential outbreaks before they occur.”
National polio vaccination campaign launchedNew Era
Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao recognised as African Public Health Champion of the Year
“In addition, the awards recognise health and social services minister Dr Esperance Luvindao as African Public Health Champion of the Year.”
NNN to receive award in GhanaNew Era
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao confirmed cholera outbreak in Grootfontein health district
“Late last year, health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao confirmed the outbreak of cholera in the Grootfontein health district, after three of the five suspected cases tested positive.”
Grootfontein grapples with cholera … 22 confirmed cases, more suspectedA mother has alleged that her six-year-old son's arm was amputated at Windhoek hospital following complications from a cast applied at Otjiwarongo State Hospital in April 2026. She claims the cast was applied too tightly, causing nerve damage and turning the child's arm blue, and says the hospital has not explained what led to the amputation.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
A mother has alleged that her six-year-old son's arm was amputated at Windhoek hospital following complications from a cast applied at Otjiwarongo State Hospital in April 2026. She claims the cast was applied too tightly, causing nerve damage and turning the child's arm blue, and says the hospital has not explained what led to the amputation.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced that Namibia has met international criteria for ending the cholera outbreak after both Grootfontein and Opuwo health districts completed more than 28 days without a confirmed case. The outbreak, declared on 27 November 2025, resulted in 82 laboratory-confirmed cases out of 282 suspected cases and one death in Opuwo district.
15 July 2026 · New Era →
Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has declared the end of Namibia's cholera outbreak, which claimed one life and infected 82 people over nearly five months, following more than 28 consecutive days without a confirmed case in affected districts. Health experts caution that the country remains at risk unless vigilance in sanitation, surveillance, and hygiene is maintained.
15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services spent N$1,286,051.90 on compensatory payouts related to six settlements during the 2024/25 financial year, according to Health Minister Esperance Luvindao. This follows reports that the ministry spent nearly N$14.7 million on compensation claims between 2019 and 2024.
15 July 2026 · Informanté →
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao says the ministry paid N$1.28 million to settle six lawsuits during the 2024/2025 financial year.
15 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Namibia has officially contained the cholera outbreak that gripped Grootfontein and Opuwo for nearly five months, with health authorities declaring the disease eliminated after more than 28 days with zero new confirmed cases. A total of 82 confirmed cases were recorded (52 in Grootfontein and 30 in Opuwo) between November 2025 and April 2026, with one death reported in Opuwo.
14 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Office of the Speaker has rejected claims that National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is responsible for a growing backlog of unanswered parliamentary questions, stating the delays lie with the executive. Of 550 National Assembly questions tabled since the eighth parliament began, 166 have been disposed of and one was withdrawn for a ministerial statement.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A retired pastor in Kalkfeld recounts how the lack of an available ambulance prevented his wife from attending medical appointments in February and May 2024, leading to her condition worsening and her death in July 2024. The shortage of ambulances in rural areas continues to delay emergency response, though a new ambulance has recently arrived in Kalkfeld to provide relief.
8 July 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian Ports Authority's social investment fund has donated two fully equipped ambulances to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to strengthen emergency medical services in the Otjozondjupa Region, with one earmarked for Kalkfeld, which previously relied on ambulances dispatched from Otjiwarongo, 60 kilometres away.
7 July 2026 · Informanté →
Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced the ministry of health and social services is planning to establish Namibia's first dedicated national air ambulance service to improve emergency medical care and access to treatment in remote communities. The announcement accompanies plans to procure 30 additional ambulances during the 2026/27 financial year.
7 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Government lawyers are accused of mishandling health-related legal cases and potentially sharing settlement payouts with senior ministry officials and claimants' lawyers. Between 2019 and 2024, the health ministry spent N$14.7m on medical claims, with about N$5.5m spent over the past year, amid delays in a nationwide medico-legal training programme.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services received two fully equipped ambulances from the Namport Social Investment Fund, with one allocated to Kalkfeld in Otjozondjupa region and the other to an area of greatest need. Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said the donation will strengthen emergency medical services in remote communities where long distances pose challenges to healthcare delivery.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliament has received allegations that medical doctors are leaving interns to run health facilities, including at Mariental and Oshakati hospitals. The Ministry of Health and Social Services is investigating the claims, which raise concerns about intern supervision, patient safety, and the quality of medical training.
5 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The ministry of health and social services has gazetted two new sets of regulations under the Health Professions Act of 2024, establishing procedures for serving official documents on registered health professionals and setting out requirements for authorising health practitioners in government employment.
2 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services is investigating allegations that doctors are leaving interns in charge of health facilities, with preliminary investigations underway in at least two cases. Health minister Esperance Luvindao told parliament the ministry has received reports suggesting the cases are not isolated and is working to increase health facility inspections, including surprise visits.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services plans to acquire 60 ambulances between the 2025/26 and 2027/28 fiscal years as part of efforts to strengthen emergency medical response services and improve ambulance availability and response times nationwide. Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said 36 ambulances were commissioned in May 2025 and distributed across regions, with nine additional panel van ambulances to be deployed within three weeks, and the ministry is also reviewing vehicle deployment to reallocate resources to areas in need.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao rejected claims that ambulance shortages caused deaths in an August 2025 Mariental road crash, saying reports of unavailable emergency vehicles are inaccurate. An Independent Patriots for Change MP had raised concerns about ambulance availability, staffing, and the operational status of the oxygen plant at Mariental State Hospital, alleging transport challenges contributed to the deaths of a pregnant woman and her sister.
29 June 2026 · Namibian Sun →
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.
24 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The health minister revealed that according to 2022 data, Namibia recorded 3,453 new cancer cases and 1,940 deaths, with projections indicating over 6,300 new cases by 2045. Key diagnoses include over 553 women annually with breast cancer, 350 with cervical cancer, and rising rates of prostate cancer and other malignancies.
19 June 2026 · New Era →
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.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched a new online complaints management system to improve accountability, responsiveness, and service delivery at public health facilities. The initiative aims to address long-standing concerns including resource shortages, infrastructure deterioration, poor communication, and alleged unprofessional conduct by healthcare workers.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao acknowledged public frustration over conditions in Namibia's public health system, citing reports of resource shortages, poor communication, discrimination, and unauthorized sharing of patient information. The ministry launched a new Standard Operating Procedure for the Management of Complaints aimed at improving accountability and addressing concerns.
11 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Assembly has finalised and adopted the mental health amendment bill of 2025, introducing a modern, rights-based framework to strengthen mental healthcare services and protect patients. The legislation repeals the 1973 Mental Health Act and includes measures to criminalise abuse of mental health patients, expand community-based care, tighten regulations on restraint and seclusion, and emphasise suicide prevention.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao warned that Namibia could record more than 6 300 new cancer cases annually by 2045, an 84% increase over two decades, if urgent action is not taken to strengthen prevention, early detection and treatment services. The country recorded approximately 2 200 new cases in 2018 and 3 453 cases by 2022, with 1 940 cancer-related deaths.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao warned that Namibia could face an 84% increase in cancer cases by 2045, with projections showing more than 6,300 new cases annually by that year compared to approximately 2,200 in 2018. Experts cited delayed diagnoses, limited rural screening services and barriers to treatment as key challenges, with breast cancer and cervical cancer among the most prevalent forms.
9 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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.
1 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services Esperance Luvindao has been selected among 15 women for the 2026 fifth cohort of the Amujae Initiative, a pan-African leadership programme. She was recognised for her work advancing healthcare systems and sector reforms, including recruitment of over 2,000 healthcare workers and launching Namibia's first digital health policy.
30 May 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services is considering a proposal to refer state cancer patients from the northern regions to the Namibian Oncology Centre for chemotherapy and radiation treatment at state cost, under a proposed contractual agreement. The proposal aims to ease pressure on patients who currently travel long distances to Windhoek, though it has sparked internal debate about outsourcing care while government facilities face funding shortages.
26 May 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said medicine shortages in public hospitals are a major burden on her administration, after the Ministry of Health and Social Services revealed national pharmaceutical stock levels are at 60%, below the government's 80% minimum target.
21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government proposes a public-private partnership with Rhino Park Private Hospital, where state surgeons would use the private facility's theatres during off-peak hours to operate on public patients and clear around 9,600 elective surgical backlogs at Katutura Intermediate and Windhoek Central hospitals. The arrangement aims to reduce the combined backlog by 30% within 12 months, despite concerns from medical doctors that the state's own 20 theatres in Windhoek are underutilised due to medication shortages.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →