Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Organization

Ministry of Health and Social Services

Also known as: Health ministry · Ministry of Health · The Ministry of Health and Social Services · the health ministry · Ministry of Health and Social Services-Namibia · MoHSS · Ministry of Health and Social Welfare

Namibian government ministry investigating pharmaceutical fraud, supply shortages, and corruption allegations within its healthcare system and Central Medical Stores.

Society

Cabinet directs intensified GBV and crime prevention campaigns nationwide

The News

The Cabinet has instructed the ministries of gender equality and home affairs to urgently intensify nationwide awareness campaigns addressing a "disturbing rise" in murders, which are allegedly linked to insurance schemes, land disputes, and religious beliefs. The government also plans to provide mental health support to inmates and scale up nation-building campaigns to promote social cohesion.

10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Cabinet directs intensified GBV and crime prevention campaigns nationwide

    The Cabinet has instructed the ministries of gender equality and home affairs to urgently intensify nationwide awareness campaigns addressing a "disturbing rise" in murders, which are allegedly linked to insurance schemes, land disputes, and religious beliefs. The government also plans to provide mental health support to inmates and scale up nation-building campaigns to promote social cohesion.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 7 April

  1. DBN funds N$1bn health infrastructure programme nationwide

    The Development Bank of Namibia has disbursed N$1 billion towards a national health infrastructure programme, part of the government's "Roadmap" initiative. The funding will support construction of a 500-bed Windhoek District Hospital and district hospitals in Nkurenkuru, Otjiwarongo, and Ondangwa to address bed shortages and improve healthcare access.

    7 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. WHO calls on stakeholders to support science for health

    The World Health Organisation has called on governments, scientists, health workers, and the public to stand with science to protect lives and rebuild trust. Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services is marking World Health Day on 7 April at Okapale, Goreagab in Windhoek.

    7 April 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 5 April

  1. DBN funds N$1 billion Windhoek District Hospital construction

    The Development Bank of Namibia has allocated N$1 billion for construction of a 500-bed Windhoek District Hospital in Havana to address bed shortages and ease pressure on existing facilities in the Khomas region. The project is part of the government's healthcare infrastructure development plan and is expected to stimulate economic activity through construction and job creation, though land clearing remains pending before work commences.

    5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President to appoint eight deputy ministers and new minister

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce eight new deputy ministers and appoint deputy defence minister Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency. The move comes despite her earlier decision to cut ministries and reduce Cabinet size, with critics and analysts warning that some merged ministries may now be too large to function effectively.

    5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 3 April

  1. Universal health coverage plan lacks realistic funding strategy

    An editorial argues that while Namibia's goal of universal free healthcare is commendable, the government's N$16 billion upgrade proposal cannot succeed without new revenue streams or a hybrid insurance model, given that public hospitals already struggle with overcrowding, medicine shortages, and infrastructure deficits. The author warns that expanding access without addressing these systemic challenges risks creating a free but overstretched system.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Family sues health ministry over mortuary negligence in Okahandja

    Joel Tjombe is suing the Ministry of Health and Social Services and two other government entities for negligence after his mother's body decomposed in a faulty state mortuary in Okahandja. The family, which initially demanded N$20 million, has revised its claim to N$350,000 for emotional and psychological trauma caused by the mishandling of the deceased's remains.

    2 April 2026 · Informanté →

  2. 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 →

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Namibia deploys high-tech CT scanners across public hospitals

    The state has acquired advanced diagnostic equipment including Philips 16-slice CT scanners worth millions of dollars to strengthen public healthcare facilities. The Health Ministry plans to roll out similar machines across all 14 regions by June as part of efforts to boost confidence in public hospitals ahead of a directive requiring government officials to use public healthcare.

    31 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Katima Mulilo hospital volunteers protest nepotism in recruitment

    A group of volunteers at Katima Mulilo State Hospital has accused officials of nepotism and corruption, claiming they were overlooked for entry-level positions despite years of service including during the Covid-19 pandemic. The volunteers have petitioned the Health and Social Services Minister and are calling for an anti-nepotism policy and formal recognition of their contributions.

    31 March 2026 · New Era →

Namibia Minute