Also known as: The Ministry of Health and Social Services · Ministry of Health and Social Services-Namibia · MHSS · MOHSS
Namibian government ministry issuing public health guidance on diseases, palliative care, and mental health expansion plans.
News reports
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The Namibian
The Ministry of Health and Social Services said the oxygen-generation plant was switched off at the end of July due to consistent problems
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services last week said the oxygen-generation plant was switched off at the end of July due to consistent problems.”
Mariental oxygen plant gets rebootThe Namibian
Ministry of Health and Social Services called for a 'no name, no blame, no shame' culture in healthcare system
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services has called for a "no name, no blame, no shame" culture in the healthcare system to encourage health workers to report mistakes, near misses and patient-safety incidents without fear.”
Ministry calls for no-blame culture in patient safetyInformanté
Ministry of Health and Social Services competes for limited pool of qualified social workers
“However, Katema said the ministry faces difficulties retaining social workers because their skills are in high demand across various institutions, including the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Namibian Correctional Service, the Namibian Police Force and private-sector organisations.”
Gender ministry still struggling to fill social worker vacanciesInformanté
Ministry of Health and Social Services has made progress in integrating mental health services into primary healthcare and reducing stigma
“He also highlighted progress made through the Ministry of Health and Social Services in integrating mental health services into primary healthcare, conducting awareness campaigns and working to reduce stigma.”
Namibia marks Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Month with call to break stigmaWindhoek Observer
Ministry of Health and Social Services confirmed to the Windhoek Observer government already funds 100% of the country's ARVs
“The ministry of health and social services confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that the government already funds 100% of the country's ARVs, following the announcement that US financial assistance for Namibia's HIV response will be phased out.”
US HIV funding exit puts Namibia’s broader response under pressureThe Namibian
Ministry of Health and Social Services revealed oxygen generation plant at Mariental District Hospital is faulty and awaiting repairs
“THE Ministry of Health and Social Services revealed that the oxygen generation plant at the Mariental District Hospital is faulty and awaiting repairs.”
Mariental hospital oxygen plant awaits repairsWindhoek Observer
The ministry said stakeholder consultations form part of efforts to review emerging tobacco and nicotine substances and challenges they present
“The ministry said the stakeholder consultations form part of efforts to review emerging tobacco and nicotine substances and the challenges they present, while determining whether the Tobacco Products Control Act 1 of 2010 remains fit for purpose.”
Vapes and hubbly-bubblies could be banned under proposed tobacco billWindhoek Observer
Health practitioners from the ministry of health and social services have raised concerns over medication errors from misdiagnosis, incorrect prescriptions, and poor communication
“Health practitioners from the ministry of health and social services have raised concerns over medication errors arising from misdiagnosis, incorrect prescriptions and poor communication between healthcare workers and patients, warning that such mistakes can compromise the safety of people receiving treatment for chronic conditions.”
Health workers flag medication errors as patient safety riskWindhoek Observer
The ministry has disputed the validity of the judgment, arguing the government was not properly served
“However, the ministry has disputed the validity of the judgment, arguing that the government was not properly served with the court papers.”
Health workers flag medication errors as patient safety riskThe Namibian
Ministry of Health and Social Services said the first phase would start on 1 April and apply to 294 senior government officials
“In March, the Ministry of Health and Social Services said the first phase of the directive would start on 1 April and would apply to only 294 senior government officials.”
President yet to use hospital, opposition rejects Vision April 2026Penehupifo Pohamba, who died aged 78 at a Windhoek hospital, worked as a midwife in Swapo's exile camps during the liberation struggle. Those she helped deliver, including Matilde 'Mboshono' Kulo born in 1981, remember her humanitarian commitment to ensuring women's survival during childbirth.
19 hours ago · The Namibian →
Penehupifo Pohamba, who died aged 78 at a Windhoek hospital, worked as a midwife in Swapo's exile camps during the liberation struggle. Those she helped deliver, including Matilde 'Mboshono' Kulo born in 1981, remember her humanitarian commitment to ensuring women's survival during childbirth.
19 hours ago · The Namibian →
A 41-year-old man reports developing neurogenic erectile dysfunction after using unregulated sexual enhancement products purchased from a pharmacy in an attempt to address sexual performance issues related to stress and alcohol consumption. He said prolonged use of the pills, which he began taking in 2021 and increased to four to five times a week, eventually caused painful symptoms that strained his marriage and affected his daily life.
20 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Agriculture has clarified that the current Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in Namibian livestock is completely unrelated to Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease reported in human populations and crèches. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals but does not infect humans.
19 October 2026 · New Era →
Hand, foot and mouth disease was detected at J&W Mouton Primary School near Rehoboth after 19 pupils tested positive; the affected children were sent home for two-week isolation, and the education director says the outbreak is under control.
16 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has warned the public not to confuse foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which affects animals, with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which commonly affects children. The warning follows the detection of HFMD in 19 pupils at J&W Mouton Primary School near Rehoboth in the Hardap region, with health officials screening affected pupils and instructing them to isolate at home for two weeks.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Hardap regional education director has confirmed that 19 learners at J & W Mouton Primary School have contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), and the education directorate is consulting with the Ministry of Health and Social Services on the matter. The affected children have been instructed to isolate at home for two weeks.
15 October 2026 · New Era →
A labour arbitrator has ordered the Ministry of Health and Social Services to pay N$2.78 million to 21 former employees of Katutura Intermediate Hospital whose fixed-term contracts were not renewed at the end of 2022. The arbitrator found the dismissal was without valid reason or fair procedure, and awarded each worker 27 months' salary in compensation.
14 October 2026 · The Namibian →
FNB Namibia's FirstRand Foundation donated N$3.9 million to the Cancer Association of Namibia to strengthen specialised palliative care at House Zietsman in Windhoek and House Johannesson in Swakopmund over three years, providing support to five state patients at no cost.
14 October 2026 · New Era →
Paediatric cardiologist Dr Fenny Shidhika has resigned from the Ministry of Health and Social Services following a ministerial investigation into alleged bullying at the hospital's cardiac unit. A ministerial investigation found that at least 10 medical officers have left the cardiac unit since 2019, with some accusing Shidhika of bullying, verbal abuse, and poor working conditions.
13 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Health Ministry plans to establish at least five additional mental health units by 2037, increase annual mental health funding, and send more doctors for psychiatric specialisation to address limited access to specialised mental health care. The commitments were outlined following approval of the Mental Health Bill of 2025, with the ministry acknowledging that only four Namibian psychiatrists are available nationwide.
13 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Auditor-General issued a qualified audit opinion on government financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025, citing an unreconciled N$792.4 million variance in State Revenue Fund records, unauthorised spending by the defence ministry, and weaknesses in revenue accounting. The audit found that hundreds of millions in collected tax revenue was not allocated to correct categories and 14 offices, ministries and agencies underspent budgets by N$1.23 billion combined.
13 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's health minister announced that no new public or private hospital at district level or above will be permitted without a dedicated mental health unit, as part of six national commitments to improve mental healthcare access. The requirement mandates that hospitals incorporate fit-for-purpose mental health units meeting standards for dignity, accessibility, privacy and patient safety.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The ministry of health and social services has committed to strengthening support for patients with serious illnesses through improved pain management, treatment referrals, and psychological and nutritional support as Namibia seeks to expand palliative care access. However, Windhoek Central Hospital currently lacks a formal palliative care department and is pursuing a phased approach to building specialist capacity.
12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare met with 10 retrenched healthcare assistants who lost their jobs following the withdrawal of USAID and Pepfar funding under the Trump administration, giving each worker N$200 for transport and promising to explore solutions for their reinstatement or alternative opportunities.
11 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services aims to establish at least five new mental health units countrywide by 31 March 2037 to improve access to care in underserved regions. The country currently has only two mental health institutions: Windhoek Central Hospital and Oshakati Intermediate Hospital.
11 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia recorded an estimated 4,205 new cancer cases and more than 2,000 cancer deaths in 2024, according to figures from the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed among women, while cervical cancer accounted for 18.3% of all cancers among women.
10 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Hope Based Healthcare Namibia founder Eglien Eises has urged young Namibians not to overlook palliative care work, noting her organisation has created 40 jobs across medical, nursing, care provider and administrative roles providing home-based care to people with serious and life-limiting illnesses.
10 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has called for responsible prescribing and monitoring of weight-loss and metabolic treatments such as Ozempic and Mounjaro amid growing public demand. The ministry warned against counterfeit and substandard products, and raised concerns about health misinformation on social media and unregulated self-medication.
9 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters has called on the president to establish a commission of inquiry into procurement, tenders, contracts, and possible conflicts of interest at the Ministry of Health and Social Services, saying a denial from the health minister cannot replace an independent investigation when serious questions are raised about public resources.
9 October 2026 · The Namibian →
A mother of eight from Ashipepe village, raising four children with ectodermal dysplasia, received immediate water assistance after appealing for access to clean water. Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi visited her home with officials from health, rural water supply, and NamWater to assess the family's needs and arrange intervention.
8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah called for coordinated national efforts to address social, educational and psychological challenges facing boys and men in Namibia, saying fragmented programmes have limited impact on gender equality and wellbeing.
8 October 2026 · New Era →
An expert says boys should also receive the human papillomavirus vaccine, as they can acquire and transmit the virus and develop HPV-related diseases including penile cancer and genital warts. HPV is commonly transmitted through sexual contact and direct skin-to-skin contact, and vaccination is presented as important prevention.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health has clarified that the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS) is administered by the Ministry of Finance, not the Health Ministry, and has urged the public to direct all enquiries about the scheme's benefits and administration to Finance rather than Health.
7 October 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibian Defence Force has stepped up suicide prevention and mental health efforts, with a senior ministry official calling for military leaders to monitor personnel displaying withdrawn or unusual behaviour and strengthen support systems for those in distress. The campaign addressed depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder among military and law-enforcement personnel.
6 October 2026 · Informanté →
Unregistered welfare groups in the Zambezi region risk losing funding and donor support unless they formalise their operations, social workers say. Registration is promoted as strengthening credibility, accountability, and the ability to secure support from businesses and donors.
6 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former health minister Bernard Haufiku questioned whether outgoing Anti-Corruption Commission director general Paulus Noa protected a person implicated in alleged corruption at the Ministry of Health in the so-called 'healthrot' scandal. Haufiku, who says he submitted evidence of alleged fraudulent procurement between 2016 and 2017 nearly a decade ago, suggested Noa may have failed to act because one of those implicated had a personal connection to him.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Community welfare organisations are being encouraged to register formally with authorities to improve accountability, build public trust, and access funding from donors. A senior social worker noted that while many Zambezi Region organisations provide services such as soup kitchens and assistance to orphans without registration, formalisation under the National Welfare Act allows them to obtain a registration number and demonstrate proper management of funds.
5 October 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services reaffirmed its commitment to safe, patient-centred healthcare during World Patient Safety Day 2026 at Windhoek Central Hospital, with officials highlighting tools such as the Patient Charter, quality standards, and complaint procedures to strengthen patient safety systems.
3 October 2026 · Informanté →
Young people have joined the Ministry of Health and Social Services in preparing for World Mental Health Day by cleaning the ministry's mental health facility in Windhoek. The initiative follows data showing 11,489 people were admitted for mental health treatment during the 2024/25 financial year, with 123 deaths recorded among people with mental illnesses during the same period.
3 October 2026 · The Namibian →
A woman from Aranos has sued the Ministry of Health and Social Services for N$1 million after slipping on a wet floor at Katutura Hospital in December 2024, sustaining an ankle fracture that has prevented her from working as a domestic worker.
2 October 2026 · Informanté →