Also known as: The Ministry of Health and Social Services · Ministry of Health and Social Services-Namibia · MHSS
Namibian government agency responsible for public healthcare, pharmaceutical regulation, and health policy implementation.
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The Namibian
Ministry of Health and Social Services announced three staff members – two nurses and one driver – died in road accident
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services has announced that three of its staff members – two nurses and one driver – died in the road accident between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo on Friday.”
Health ministry mourns two nurses, hospital driver killed in Otjiwarongo crashThe Namibian
Ministry of Health and Social Services released findings from survey of 2,949 Psemas members
“The findings, released by the Ministry of Health and Social Services , are based on responses from 2 949 members surveyed between 3 and 11 March.”
Long waits, shortages push Psemas patients to private careInformanté
Ministry of Health and Social Services operated patient transport bus involved in head-on collision south of Otjiwarongo on B1 road
“A devastating head-on collision occurred approximately 30 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo on the B1 road between Otjiwarongo and Okahandja, involving a Ministry of Health and Social Services patient transport bus and a truck.”
10 die in B1 crash as weekend turns deadlyInformanté
Ministry of Health and Social Services highlighted the need for urgent and coordinated action to curb malaria spread
“The commemoration was held in Oshifo in the Ruacana Constituency of the Omusati Region, where the Ministry of Health and Social Services highlighted the need for urgent and coordinated action to curb the spread of the disease.”
Namibia strengthens push to eliminate malariaThe Namibian
Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign following virus detections in sewage and a formal outbreak declaration despite no cases.”
Polio jabs despite no case ‘precautionary’Informanté
Ministry of Health and Social Services will roll out third round of national polio vaccination campaign from 27 to 30 April
“THE Ministry of Health and Social Services will roll out the third round of the national polio vaccination campaign from 27 to 30 April across Namibia, aimed at boosting immunity among children and preventing the spread of the highly infectious virus.”
Health ministry launches final polio vaccination pushThe Namibian
Ministry of Health and Social Services has uncovered suspected fraud within pharmaceutical supply chain
“Reports that the Ministry of Health and Social Services has uncovered suspected fraud within Namibia's pharmaceutical supply chain – including alleged manipulation of stock records and diversion of medicines at the Central Medical Stores – should concern every Namibian.”
Health Sector Corruption: Namibia Must Act Before Shortages Become the NormThe Namibian
Ministry of Health and Social Services decided to launch investigations and temporarily reassign staff
“The health ministry's decision to launch investigations and temporarily reassign staff implicated in the alleged irregularities is therefore an important immediate step.”
Health Sector Corruption: Namibia Must Act Before Shortages Become the NormThe Namibian
Ministry of Health and Social Services asked Central Procurement Board of Namibia to cancel N$194-million tender
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services has asked the Central Procurement Board of Namibia to cancel a N$194-million tender to build new central medical stores in Windhoek.”
Health ministry cancels N$194m medical stores tender amid political interference and Global Fund concernsInformanté
Ministry of Health and Social Services has engaged clinical specialists from Windhoek's main public hospitals in strategic meeting
“THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has engaged clinical specialists from Windhoek's main public hospitals in a strategic meeting aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening collaboration, and enhancing patient care across the healthcare system.”
Health ministry engages specialists to improve servicesA new dialysis unit inaugurated at Walvis Bay District Hospital is expected to serve 54 state patients in the Erongo region, reducing their need to travel for treatment and lowering costs to the state.
A new dialysis unit opening at Walvis Bay hospital reduces travel burden and costs for state patients across the Erongo region.
6 June 2026 · The Namibian →
A new dialysis unit inaugurated at Walvis Bay District Hospital is expected to serve 54 state patients in the Erongo region, reducing their need to travel for treatment and lowering costs to the state.
6 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has denied claims that it increased public healthcare tariffs to match those of the Namibia Association of Medical Aid Funds, clarifying that the Ministry of Finance—not the health ministry—has authority over Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme tariff changes. The ministry noted that tariff structures have not been comprehensively reviewed in 11 years despite significant changes in healthcare costs.
5 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibia Nurses Union has told parliament that oversupply of private nursing college graduates is causing rising unemployment and compromising clinical training quality, with some private institutions admitting large numbers of students including two intakes per year despite limited health sector employment opportunities.
2 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Centre for Health Economics Thanzi Programme has received a grant from The Life You Can Save to expand health systems research and capacity-building into Namibia and Zambia, working with national health ministries and universities to strengthen health financing, policy development, and progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
1 June 2026 · Informanté →
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 →
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 →
Johanna Amukoto contracted polio in May 2006 as a teenager, which caused sudden paralysis. She has since transformed her experience into advocacy and a message of hope.
24 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's health ministry confirmed there are no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases in the country, despite an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain spreading to major urban centres in the DRC and Uganda. The ministry has implemented heightened surveillance at all points of entry and is providing refresher training to frontline health workers.
23 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 →
Medical specialists at public hospitals dispute health minister Esperance Luvindao's assertion that pharmaceutical stock levels have improved to 60%, saying critical shortages of essential medications continue to affect patient care across departments.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia is strengthening its medicine safety systems as African countries push for closer regulatory cooperation through the African Medicines Agency to address concerns over counterfeit medicines and weak reporting systems for medicine side effects. The Ministry of Health and Social Services says stronger cooperation between African regulators would help countries respond faster to harmful medicines, improve monitoring of side effects and reduce dependence on foreign regulatory systems.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's health system is fragmented with high administrative costs and limited fiscal pooling. A health professional has proposed a Shared Prosperity Health Covenant framework to transform the system into a unified, equitable, and digitally enabled ecosystem that addresses disparities and promotes universal health coverage.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A former Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital nurse is accused of exchanging laboratory results to facilitate a fraudulent insurance claim of N$1.2 million submitted to Sanlam Namibia in December 2024, allegedly in cohort with two doctors and an intern doctor. The state alleges that N$1.8 million in fraudulent claims were submitted, with portions of funds distributed to the accused and other alleged conspirators.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has intensified efforts to stabilise Namibia's pharmaceutical supply chain, with essential medicines and clinical supplies delivered to the Central Medical Stores over the past two weeks. The country's pharmaceutical stock service level currently stands at about 60%, below the targeted minimum of 80%, though urgent procurement interventions are showing progress.
19 May 2026 · New Era →
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's medicine shortages represent a systemic crisis affecting ordinary citizens, despite the Ministry reporting national pharmaceutical stock levels at around 60%. The author contends that officials must acknowledge the full extent of the problem rather than minimize it for political reasons.
19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services says national pharmaceutical stock levels stand at an estimated 60%, with several essential medicines low or out of stock across public healthcare facilities. Health minister Esperance Luvindao announced monthly reports on pharmaceutical and clinical product deliveries to improve transparency, while noting the national target remains 80% stock availability.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
The Ministry of Health reports that several essential pharmaceutical products are in short supply or out of stock at health facilities. The Central Medical Stores received pharmaceutical and clinical supplies between 27 April and 15 May 2026, including stocks of seizure control medication, blood glucose test strips, and blood pressure management drugs, intended to address urgent needs and stabilise inventory levels.
18 May 2026 · Informanté →
International University of Management founder David Namwandi announced construction of a 120-bed private hospital located three kilometres northwest of Ondangwa, expected to open mid-2027. The facility will serve as a training hospital in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
18 May 2026 · New Era →
Families and community members gathered over the weekend to bury victims of a Workers' Day accident that claimed 11 lives when a government bus hit a kudu, veered into oncoming traffic, and collided with a truck on the B1 road near Otjiwarongo on 1 May. The impact caused the bus to burst into flames, with four occupants ejected and eight burnt beyond recognition.
18 May 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services reports national pharmaceutical stock levels at 60%, below the 80% target, with several essential medicines understocked or out of stock across public healthcare facilities. The ministry will now issue monthly reports on pharmaceutical and clinical product deliveries to improve transparency and stabilise supply levels.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Asoli Progressive Party has criticized President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for what it describes as insufficient response to ongoing medicine shortages in public hospitals, with the party's president Josef Kauandenge saying the government has not acted with enough urgency. Public concern has grown in recent weeks after patients were referred to private pharmacies due to stock-outs, though the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced it will now provide monthly updates on pharmaceutical supplies, with current stock levels at about 60% of required quantities.
18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services and the WHO marked World Hypertension Day on 17 May, calling on the public to prioritise regular blood pressure checks and healthy lifestyles. The ministry urged monitoring blood pressure, reducing salt intake, exercising, and taking prescribed medication, warning that uncontrolled hypertension can lead to stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
17 May 2026 · Informanté →
The International University of Management is constructing a 120-bed private hospital near Ondangwa, expected to open by mid-2027, which will also serve as a training facility in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
17 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Sara Katiti's Afripharm Investments is seeking to stop government contract negotiations on a N$1.3 billion tender for mental health, cancer, and chronic-disease medicines to state hospitals, arguing the tender expired in March 2025. The procurement has been mired in court disputes since April 2023, including a challenge over a N$1.3 billion award to a company owned by a five-year-old child.
17 May 2026 · The Namibian →
If polio vaccination coverage falls below the 80% target, the government may roll out a fourth round of vaccinations. The third round, conducted 27–30 April, achieved 47% coverage in the first two days, prompting the Cabinet to consider door-to-door vaccinations in certain areas if necessary.
16 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services inaugurated a renal dialysis unit at Katima Mulilo State Hospital, with government investment of more than N$7 million, to provide kidney disease treatment locally and reduce the need for patients to travel to other towns.
14 May 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services acknowledged systemic failures at the Windhoek Central Mental Health Centre, citing inadequate infrastructure and human resource deficits that contributed to poor supervision. The admission followed a patient escaping and a fatal police shooting incident.
14 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services will cover funeral costs for two nurses and a driver who died in an ambulance crash on the B1 road between Otjiwarongo and Okahandja earlier this month; nine patients also died in the crash. Health minister Esperance Luvindao said the driver tried to avoid the collision but could not find a safe escape route, and assured bereaved families the government would provide counselling services.
14 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Shortages of essential chronic medications for hypertension, diabetes, and ophthalmology at Windhoek Central Hospital could result in suspension of surgeries and risk of permanent blindness. An ophthalmologist warns that the department lacks critical glaucoma and post-operative medications and cannot safely continue cataract operations without them.
12 May 2026 · The Namibian →