Thursday, 23 July 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Thursday, 23 July 2026

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Namibian press · Organization

Katutura intermediate hospital

Public hospital in Windhoek handling trauma cases, childbirth care, and elective surgeries; subject of multiple negligence lawsuits and administrative investigations.

2023-09-112026-07-23

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

June 2026
25 JunThe Namibian
Katutura Intermediate Hospital received civilian transferred from Mariental State Hospital with possible kidney and head injuries
Source
“One of the civilians has been transferred from Mariental State Hospital to Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Windhoek due to possible kidney and head injuries.”
Gibeon police probed overassault
11 JunThe Namibian
Katutura Intermediate Hospital treated David Suze after transfer from Gobabis State Hospital for about two weeks
Source
“He was then transferred to Katutura Intermediate Hospital, where he remained for about two weeks.”
Gobabis man claims violent attack by girlfriend
May 2026
18 MayThe Namibian
Katutura Intermediate Hospital was where allegedly a surgical needle broke and lodged in uterus
Source
“The government has filed a notice to defend a N$13-million lawsuit brought by a woman who claims an operation at Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Windhoek has left a broken surgical needle lodged in her uterus for years.”
Govt defends N$13-million lawsuit over alleged Katutura hospital negligence
3 MayThe Namibian
Katutura Intermediate Hospital was destination for patient transport from Khorixas District Hospital
Source
“In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry says the two nurses and driver were transporting eight patients in a 14-seater minibus from Khorixas District Hospital to Katutura Intermediate Hospital for follow-up appointments.”
Health ministry mourns two nurses, hospital driver killed in Otjiwarongo crash
April 2026
17 AprNew Era
Katutura Intermediate Hospital is designated as Phase 1 facility under Vision April 2026
Source
“Phase 1 (Starting April 2024): Is restricted to seven designated health facilities, including Windhoek Central Hospital, Katutura Intermediate Hospital, Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund Hospital Complex, Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital and Keetmanshoop District Hospital.”
Vision April 2026 to revolutionise public healthcare
15 AprThe Namibian
Katutura intermediate hospital had installed medical gas systems
Source
“Restoration of the hot water system at Windhoek central hospital and installation of medical gas systems at Katutura intermediate hospital were successfully completed.”
Minister Veikko Nekundi presents works and transport budget in National Assembly
March 2026
17 MarThe Namibian
Stephanus was transported to and underwent successful operation at Katutura Intermediate Hospital
Source
“Stephanus was transported to Katutura Intermediate Hospital, where he underwent a successful left tibial intramedullary nail and open reduction internal fixation operation on the same day.”
Leg fracture ends Stephanus’ season
14 MarThe Namibian
Katutura Intermediate Hospital was officially inaugurated on 11 September 2024.
Source
“"The Katutura Intermediate Hospital facility was officially inaugurated on 11 September 2024, and Oshakati Hospital celebrated its inauguration on 4 October 2024.”
New state dialysis unit for Keetmanshoop
February 2026
24 FebThe Namibian
Katutura Intermediate Hospital is alleged to be near location where Kennedy and Cloete raped a woman
Source
“The state is alleging that Kennedy and Cloete kidnapped a woman in Windhoek on 3 January 2015 and raped her near Katutura Intermediate Hospital.”
Ex-magistrate Jaco Kennedy loses bid to dismiss rape charges in Windhoek High Court

Society

Health ministry seeks dismissal of medical negligence lawsuit

The News

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has applied to the High Court to dismiss a N$13 million lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges a doctor left a needle in her uterus during surgery in February 2016, resulting in infertility and pain. The ministry argues the case was filed in March 2023, more than three years after the alleged incident, exceeding the maximum three-year period allowed to institute legal action.

21 July 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 21 July

Health ministry seeks dismissal of medical negligence lawsuit
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has applied to the High Court to dismiss a N$13 million lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges a doctor left a needle in her uterus during surgery in February 2016, resulting in infertility and pain. The ministry argues the case was filed in March 2023, more than three years after the alleged incident, exceeding the maximum three-year period allowed to institute legal action.
21 July 2026 · Informanté →
Rape-accused doctor Dennis Noa seeks bail to resume work
Medical doctor Dennis Noa, arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 26-year-old man at a public hospital premises, asked the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court to grant him bail so he can return to his duties. The state opposed bail, citing rape as a serious offence and arguing that release could risk witness interference, further offences, or absconding.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 July

Health ministry investigates alleged rape at Onandjokwe Hospital
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has initiated administrative investigations into an alleged rape incident on 19 July 2026 at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, following the arrest of medical intern Dennis Noa (31), who was denied bail in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court. Noa was previously acquitted of a similar rape charge at Katutura Intermediate Hospital in 2021.
20 July 2026 · Informanté →
Doctor arrested in second rape investigation within five years
A 31-year-old doctor at Onandjokwe Hospital was arrested over the weekend on allegations of raping a 26-year-old man at his room. The arrest comes three years after the Windhoek High Court acquitted the doctor of a separate rape charge involving an 18-year-old patient at Katutura Intermediate Hospital.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 6 July

State lawyers accused of mishandling medical claims, losing millions
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 →

Sunday 28 June

Khomas region achieves 95% HIV status awareness among residents
Khomas governor Sam Nujoma said the region has recorded 95% HIV status awareness among people living with HIV, while the government has committed more than N$59.2 million towards healthcare infrastructure projects including hospital renovations and upgrades.
28 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 25 June

Four Gibeon police officers investigated for assaulting civilians
Four police officers in Gibeon are under investigation for allegedly assaulting three civilians during a dispute over Liquor Act violations. One civilian was transferred to Katutura Hospital with possible kidney and head injuries; the three have been charged with drinking in public and unruly behaviour.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 24 June

City of Windhoek legal advisor faces assault charges
A legal advisor at the City of Windhoek is facing assault charges for allegedly striking a teacher at Ella du Plessis Secondary School with a stick during an incident on school premises. The confrontation arose after a dispute involving the advisor's son and the teacher.
24 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 19 June

Public servant testifies low salaries trap workers in debt
A senior cleaner at Katutura Intermediate Hospital testified before parliament's economics committee that low-income public servants are trapped in debt cycles because salaries—around N$4,000 per month after allowances—are insufficient for basic living expenses. She called for Grade 15 positions to be abolished and cleaners placed at Grade 12, and recommended compulsory financial literacy programmes to prevent debt dependency.
19 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 11 June

Gobabis man claims stabbing by girlfriend in May
A 42-year-old man says his girlfriend of five years stabbed him in the abdomen at his Gobabis home in May after he ended their relationship. He was treated at Gobabis State Hospital and later Katutura Intermediate Hospital for injuries that led to complications including infection and fever.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 9 June

Road experts criticise Windhoek speed humps on major highways
Road transport experts have criticised the installation of speed humps on major highways around Windhoek by the Roads Authority and Ministry of Works and Transport, warning the measure could increase accidents and congestion rather than improve road safety. Experts and officials have called for pedestrian bridges instead, with the transport minister describing the speed humps as a temporary measure.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 1 June

Teacher convicted of murdering wife in Windhoek
Patric Gaingob was found guilty of murdering his wife, fellow teacher Merenta Gaingos, in a fatal knife attack in April 2019. The judge rejected his claims of automatism and amnesia, noting 12 stab wounds were recorded during post-mortem examination and finding direct intent to murder.
1 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 20 May

Health ministry plans private hospital partnership for surgery backlog
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 →
Male midwife shares daily challenges of childbirth care
Registered midwife Matheus Herman, who began his career at Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Windhoek in 2018, attends to more than 30 expectant mothers in antenatal care and delivers an average of seven to eight babies a day in the labour ward. As one of few men in midwifery in Namibia, Herman says his work uplifts him and motivates him to leave a legacy.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 18 May

Government defends N$13-million Katutura Hospital negligence lawsuit
The government has filed notice to defend a N$13-million lawsuit brought by a woman who claims a broken surgical needle was left lodged in her uterus following 2016 surgery at Katutura Intermediate Hospital. In a special plea, government attorneys denied allegations of negligence against the Ministry of Health and Social Services, arguing medical staff acted with appropriate expertise and care.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
President avoids State House after break-in incident
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has not slept in her private residential wing at State House since a naked mental health patient broke into the premises nearly three weeks ago; she is staying at her private home in Hochland Park. The incident led to the suspension of police inspector general Joseph Shikongo and raised questions about security, as CCTV cameras were allegedly switched off at the time.
18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 13 May

Nurses must be supported and protected—Nanu statement
The Namibia Nurses Union says nurses remain the backbone of the healthcare system despite facing staff shortages, burnout, unsafe working conditions and limited professional development opportunities, and called on government, healthcare institutions and policymakers to prioritize nurses' welfare and protection. A PDM MP also called on government to prioritize the mental well-being of psychiatric nurses, proposing dedicated psychological support and a special mental wellness allowance for those working in psychiatric departments.
13 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 12 May

State settles hospital negligence claim for N$450,000
The health ministry has agreed to pay N$450,000 to settle a medical negligence claim brought by the mother of an 18-year-old who alleged he was raped while in a coma at Katutura Intermediate Hospital. The High Court settlement was reached without any admission of liability by the State, which had previously denied that any sexual assault occurred.
12 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Tuesday 5 May

Road crash claims eleven lives; dispute over victim identities
A minibus operated by the Ministry of Health and Social Services crashed between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo on Friday, killing eleven people including two nurses and a driver. Sources dispute the ministry's claim that eight victims were patients, alleging they were hitchhikers picked up along the route, which has complicated identification efforts.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 3 May

Road crash kills two nurses, driver between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo
A minibus transporting eight patients from Khorixas District Hospital to Katutura Intermediate Hospital crashed into a truck while avoiding a kudu between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo on Friday, killing two nurses and a hospital driver. The Ministry of Health and Social Services reports that 11 lives were lost in the accident.
3 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 26 April

Swapo president defends party headquarters built near hospital
Swapo president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah defended the ruling party's construction of a multimillion-dollar headquarters near Katutura Intermediate Hospital, saying party member contributions for the project cannot be redirected to government facilities, and that members' taxes already support such state purposes.
26 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

Government launches Vision April 2026 healthcare reform initiative
Namibia's government has begun phased implementation of Vision April 2026, an initiative to transform public healthcare by improving accessibility, quality and citizen confidence. The programme, which mandates senior government officials to use public facilities starting April 2024, includes infrastructure upgrades, N$239 million in medical equipment procurement and recruitment of 2,307 health workers, with expansion to additional facilities planned for 2027.
17 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 16 April

PM denies two-tier healthcare system, announces hospital upgrades
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare rejected claims that public hospitals are creating special VIP units for government officials, saying the government's focus is improving healthcare for all Namibians. He highlighted seven major health facilities earmarked for upgrades and announced Vision April 2026, a programme requiring senior officials to use public hospitals to improve service quality nationwide.
16 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 15 April

Minister Nekundi presents N$592.9m Works budget for 2026/27
Minister Veikko Nekundi presented the 2026/2027 budget allocation of N$592.972 million for the Department of Works to the National Assembly, with N$499 million for operational costs and N$93.972 million for capital investment. The budget addresses public infrastructure development, government asset management, and maintenance of state facilities across five programmes.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

Namibia's public health sector reports infrastructure and medicine improvements
President Nandi-Ndaitwah announced significant progress in healthcare delivery, including the full upgrading of seven major hospitals, direct procurement of medicines that has saved over N$221.5 million and increased medicine availability from 49% to 57%, and the recruitment of 3,471 healthcare workers. The government has also procured medical equipment including CT scan machines, ambulances, and specialized units such as ICUs and dialysis centers nationwide.
10 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 2 April

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

Five promised hospitals remain unfinished after years of delays
Namibia has failed to complete or begin construction on at least five district and intermediate hospitals announced between 2007 and 2024, with the oldest project at Ondangwa dating back 19 years. The health ministry attributes the delays to funding constraints, contractor failures, and pandemic disruptions, while health workers and residents warn that the lack of accessible facilities forces patients to travel dangerously long distances for care.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 March

FC Ongos star Stephanus sidelined with leg fracture
Namibia Premier Football League top scorer Petrus Stephanus has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025/26 season after suffering a tibia and fibula fracture during FC Ongos' 2-0 defeat to KK Palace FC on Sunday. The 31-year-old striker, who had 12 goals in 26 matches, underwent successful surgery and is recovering at Katutura Intermediate Hospital.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 14 March

Health ministry clarifies Vision April 2026 directive scope
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has clarified that Phase 1 of "Vision April 2026", beginning 1 April 2026, applies only to 294 senior government officials and not to teachers, nurses, police, or general civil servants. The directive aims to strengthen public healthcare, with designated facilities across the country prepared through infrastructure upgrades and equipment procurement worth N$239 million.
14 March 2026 · Informanté →
Keetmanshoop gets N$7.3 million public dialysis unit
Keetmanshoop District Hospital will house a new dialysis unit with five machines, allowing residents with chronic kidney failure to access treatment locally rather than travel to Windhoek. The facility, completed in late 2024, is part of a national strategy to decentralise healthcare services across multiple regions.
14 March 2026 · The Namibian →