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Namibian press · Organization

Health Professions Council of Namibia

Also known as: HPCNA · Health Professions Councils of Namibia · HPCN

Regulatory body that administers national nursing and midwifery assessment exams and handles disciplinary cases against health professionals in Namibia.

2024-06-272026-10-25
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News reports

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  1. September 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) has returned some students' reports, with deregistration underway

    Source

    “According to Nanso, the Health Professions Councils of Namibia (HPCNA) has returned some students' reports, with the process of deregistering students being underway.”

    120 Nust students face deregistration over placement
  3. August 2026

  4. Informanté

    Health Professions Council of Namibia levelled professional misconduct charges against Van Der Westhuizen on 5 March 2024

    Source

    “Nevertheless, the Health Professions Council levelled professional misconduct charges against Van Der Westhuizen on 5 March 2024, five years after it received a legal opinion to prosecute.”

    Psychologist accused of rape wins case against health professionals’ council

  5. The Namibian

    Health Professions Council of Namibia must monitor growing nursing campuses to ensure ethics and professional standards

    Source

    “The Health Professions Council of Namibia must monitor these growing campuses strictly.”

    Are We Training Nurses Who Care?
  6. July 2026

  7. Windhoek Observer

    HPCNA required HPCNA curriculum approval for programmes at institutions abroad

    Source

    “The letter highlights that many students were admitted to institutions in Zambia, India, and South Africa, only to later be informed that their programmes required HPCNA curriculum approval.”

    Youth activist calls out medical study barriers

  8. Informanté

    Health Professions Council of Namibia is an independent statutory body that investigates professional conduct and protects the public

    Source

    “The Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) is an independent statutory body that investigates professional conduct, protects the public, and makes recommendations; we routinely request and accept their independent findings and implement corrective action where required," Luvindao said.”

    Health Ministry spends N$1.2 million on medical negligence payouts during 2024/25 financial year

  9. The Namibian

    Health Professions Councils of Namibia (HPCNA) recently presented parliament's standing committee on education figures on exam results since January 2025

    Source

    “The figures, which the Health Professions Councils of Namibia (HPCNA) recently presented the parliament's standing committee on education, cover evaluation sessions held since the exam became compulsory for locally trained nurses and midwives in January 2025.”

    2 600 nursing graduates fail national HPCNA assessment

  10. The Namibian

    Health Professions Council of Namibia is investigating reports at Mariental and Oshakati hospitals

    Source

    “While the Ministry of Health and Social Services, alongside the Health Professions Council of Namibia, investigates reports at places like the Mariental and Oshakati hospitals, the medical fraternity must confront a sobering reality.”

    When Interns Run Hospitals

  11. Windhoek Observer

    Health Professions Council of Namibia may issue notices, subpoenas, and other official documents to registered practitioners

    Source

    “The first regulation outlines how notices, subpoenas, and other official documents issued by the Health Professions Council of Namibia or its registrar must be served on registered practitioners.”

    Health Council gets clearer path to serve notices on practitioners

  12. The Namibian

    Health Professions Council of Namibia is working with the ministry to investigate allegations of professional misconduct

    Source

    “The minister said the investigation includes reviewing licensing and accreditation records, carrying out surprise inspections at private health facilities and working with the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) to investigate allegations of professional misconduct.”

    Health ministry investigates interns running hospitals
  13. June 2026

  14. Informanté

    Health Professions Council of Namibia recognises importance of clear, fair, and effective complaints management systems

    Source

    “Weyulu added that the Health Professions Council of Namibia recognises the importance of clear, fair, and effective complaints management systems.”

    New health complaints procedure aims to boost trust, not punish staff, says Dr Weyulu
Society

NUST offers transfers, financial solutions for medical lab sciences students

The News

NUST is offering affected medical laboratory sciences students transfers to other NUST programmes or partner institutions and determining "appropriate financial solutions on a case-by-case basis," following a petition by 173 students over a disrupted programme. The university has consulted the Namibia Qualifications Authority and engaged independent laboratories for work-integrated learning placements.

8 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Thursday 8 October

  1. NUST offers transfers, financial solutions for medical lab sciences students

    NUST is offering affected medical laboratory sciences students transfers to other NUST programmes or partner institutions and determining "appropriate financial solutions on a case-by-case basis," following a petition by 173 students over a disrupted programme. The university has consulted the Namibia Qualifications Authority and engaged independent laboratories for work-integrated learning placements.

    8 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Over 120 medical laboratory science students face deregistration

    More than 120 medical laboratory science students at the Namibia University of Science and Technology face academic disruption and possible deregistration due to limited work-integrated learning placements. The Namibia National Students Organisation met with Nust administration to resolve the issue, with some students already deregistered and others uncertain about their academic futures.

    30 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Nust explores SADC placements for 55 deregistered students

    The Namibia University of Science and Technology is exploring opportunities to place 55 medical laboratory sciences students at SADC universities following constraints on professional training capacity. The move follows concerns from more than 120 students about limited work-integrated learning placements after a record 2025 intake of 150 students into the programme.

    30 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 3 September

  1. High Court allows N$13m medical negligence claim to proceed

    The Windhoek High Court has dismissed a special plea by the government and health minister in a case where a woman is suing them for N$13 million after a surgical needle fragment was left in her body during 2016 surgery at Katutura Intermediate Hospital. The dismissal allows her medical negligence claim to continue.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 31 August

  1. High Court dismisses council disciplinary case against psychologist

    A High Court acting judge has dismissed a disciplinary hearing instituted by the Health Professions Council of Namibia against specialist psychologist Dr Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, who had been accused of raping a patient, finding that his constitutional rights to a fair and speedy trial were violated.

    31 August 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 22 August

  1. Nursing recruitment expansion risks attracting uncommitted students

    An opinion piece argues that rapid establishment of new nursing campuses across Namibia may be attracting students seeking convenience or employment rather than those with genuine care vocations, potentially compromising healthcare quality through poor patient care and staff burnout.

    22 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 July

  1. Pendukeni introduces keynote speaker at Welwitchia graduation

    Monika Pendukeni introduced Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Susan Ndjaleka as the keynote speaker at Welwitchia University's 9th Official Graduation Ceremony, held on 16–17 July 2026 at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Pendukeni introduces Deputy Minister Ndjaleka at Welwitchia graduation

    Monika Pendukeni introduced Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Susan Ndjaleka as the keynote speaker at Welwitchia University's 9th Official Graduation Ceremony held at Mercure Hotel, Windhoek on 16–17 July 2026.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Welwitschia chancellor calls for full NSFAF funding for private students

    Welwitschia University Chancellor Scholastika Iipinge has called on NSFAF to fully cover tuition fees for students at private higher education institutions, stating that partial funding continues to leave families carrying a financial burden despite government promises of equal treatment.

    17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  4. NSFAF urged to provide full funding for private university students

    The Chancellor of Welwitschia University has called on NSFAF to fully cover tuition fees for students at private higher education institutions, noting that partial sponsorships continue to leave families bearing financial burdens despite government promises of equal treatment.

    17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Youth activist critiques NSFAF, HPCNA medical education policies

    Young Namibians aspiring to study medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry have raised concerns over unclear and unfair policies by NSFAF and HPCNA, arguing that students admitted to universities abroad were later informed their programmes required curriculum approval, and that NSFAF's removal of medical programmes from its priority list has left them stranded.

    15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Health Ministry paid N$1.2 million in compensation during 2024/25

    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 →

Monday 13 July

  1. Over 2 600 nursing graduates fail national HPCNA assessment

    More than 2 600 nursing and midwifery graduates have failed the national exam required to practise in Namibia since the test became compulsory in January 2025, raising concerns about the quality of nursing training. The Health Professions Councils of Namibia reported that 2 743 of 5 427 graduates evaluated passed, while 2 683 failed, including those who did not sit for the exam.

    13 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 6 July

  1. Health training institutions seek simpler accreditation system

    Health training institutions have called for a streamlined, harmonised accreditation system to reduce duplicate inspections and regulatory overlap. They cite long approval processes and a shortage of clinical training sites as obstacles to training health professionals.

    6 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Parliament inquires into health training quality and graduate unemployment

    Parliament's Standing Committee on Education has launched an inquiry into Namibia's health training sector over concerns about graduate unemployment, accreditation delays, and training quality as the number of health training institutions has grown. The committee convened a two-day consultation with institutions, regulators, and students, with representatives from 12 health training institutions citing prolonged accreditation processes and overlapping regulatory requirements as obstacles.

    6 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 5 July

  1. Health minister reports doctors leaving interns to run hospitals

    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 →

Saturday 4 July

  1. Unam nursing students turned away from clinics due to capacity limits

    Nursing students at the University of Namibia are being turned away from some clinics because student numbers are growing faster than the capacity of health facilities to supervise clinical placements. Unam's executive dean told Parliament that overcrowding has become one of the university's biggest challenges.

    4 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 July

  1. Health Council regulations clarify document service procedures

    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 →

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Health ministry investigates doctors leaving interns in charge

    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 →

Sunday 14 June

  1. New health complaints procedure aims to improve care, build trust

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched a Standard Operating Procedure for managing complaints, with the Registrar of the Health Professions Council stating that complaints should be used to identify systemic issues and improve patient care rather than to punish staff.

    14 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Health ministry unveils new complaints system for public healthcare

    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 →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Namibian man living with 18-year gunshot wound seeks closure

    Maata Valombola, shot in the abdomen in 2007, claims a doctor at Katutura Intermediate Hospital operated on him while intoxicated, leaving a permanent open wound that has severely affected his mobility and quality of life. The Ministry of Health and Social Services rejected claims of medical negligence after an investigation by the Health Professions Council of Namibia found no evidence of unprofessional conduct.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 26 March

  1. UDF pushes for regional nursing licence registration services

    A UDF parliamentarian has called for decentralised nursing registration at the regional level to ease the burden on nurses who must travel long distances to Khomas Region. The Health Ministry has extended the registration deadline to 31 March 2026 and is engaging with the Health Professions Council to find sustainable long-term solutions.

    26 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Health minister extends doctor licensing deadline to March 2027

    The Health Minister has granted Namibian health professionals a temporary extension under the Health Professions Act, allowing registered practitioners to continue practising without a new licence until 31 March 2027 on a "deemed licensed" basis, provided they apply for the required licence before that date. The extension follows concerns raised by the Namibia Medical Society that the operational framework for the licensing system was not finalised in time for the original 20 March 2024 deadline.

    24 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 21 March

  1. HPCNA extends healthcare practitioner licensing deadline to 2027

    The Health Professions Councils of Namibia has extended the licensing deadline for healthcare practitioners to 31 March 2027, following a proposal by the Namibia Medical Society and consultation with more than 450 healthcare workers. All practitioners will be deemed licensed during this period, giving them more time to comply with requirements.

    21 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Prime Minister inaugurates PSEMAS governance committee for healthcare reform

    Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare has inaugurated a new governance committee for the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS) to oversee implementation of reforms, including mandatory use of public hospitals by civil servants and alignment with the government's Universal Health Coverage objectives. The committee, drawn from government agencies, trade unions, and regulators, replaces the previous model to improve oversight, accountability, and healthcare sustainability.

    10 March 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 11 January

  1. Dr Amoomo appointed Deputy Executive Director at Health Ministry

    Dr Alfons Amoomo has been appointed Deputy Executive Director in the Department of Health and Social Welfare Policy at the Ministry of Health and Social Services, effective 7 January 2026. He brings experience in health systems, policy development and public sector leadership, having previously served as Regional Director for Omusati Region since 2017.

    11 January 2026 · Informanté →

Health Professions Council of Namibia — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute