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Monday, 8 June 2026
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Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital

Hospital in Oshikoto region where medical staff were arrested in connection with an alleged N$2.1 million Sanlam insurance fraud scheme.

2026-01-302026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. May 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital allegedly involved in fraudulent insurance scheme with approximately N$2.1 million claimed

    Source

    “The state alleges that approximately N$2.1 million was fraudulently claimed between December 2024 and 2025, with the alleged involvement of medical personnel from Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, including Kudumo.”

    State alleges doctor’s mother interfered with prosecution

  3. The Namibian

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital employed former nurse Festus Amwaalwa and cleaner Hela Mpinge

    Source

    “Former Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital nurse Festus Amwaalwa told the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court on Monday that part of the money he allegedly received from a fraudulent Sanlam insurance claim was used to buy his mother Christmas food.”

    Ex-Onandjokwe nurse says fraudulent Sanlam payout bought his mother Christmas food
  4. April 2026

  5. The Namibian

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital suspended elective procedures over shortages of critical hypnotic anaesthetic agents

    Source

    “The development follows a similar suspension at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, which The Namibian reported on yesterday after a leaked internal letter revealed shortages of critical hypnotic anaesthetic agents.”

    Rundu joins Onandjokwe in surgery halt

  6. The Namibian

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital suspended all elective surgical procedures due to anaesthetic shortage

    Source

    “A Leaked internal letter from Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital shows that the hospital suspended all elective surgical procedures from yesterday after running out of critical anaesthetic agents required for general anaesthesia.”

    No anaesthetic, no surgeries at Onandjokwe

  7. New Era

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has a new 120-bed maternity ward with 12 private rooms

    Source

    “A new maternity ward has been constructed at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital in the Oshikoto region.”

    120-bed Onandjokwe maternity ward opens

  8. The Namibian

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has reduced maternal mortality ratio from over 400 per 100,000 live births in 1998 to 70 per 100,000 in 2026

    Source

    “The Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has reduced its maternal mortality ratio from over 400 deaths per 100 000 live births in 1998 to just 70 per 100 000 in 2026, meeting the third Sustainable Development Goal target for 2030.”

    Onandjokwe hospital cuts maternal mortality ratio ahead of SDG3 target

  9. The Namibian

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital is accredited to train general surgery specialists through The College of Surgeons in East, Central and Southern Africa

    Source

    “The hospital, he highlights, is accredited to train general surgery specialists through The College of Surgeons in East, Central and Southern Africa, with processes underway for anaesthesia training accreditation through the College of Anaesthesiologists of East, Central, and Southern Africa.”

    Onandjokwe hospital cuts maternal mortality ratio ahead of SDG3 target
  10. March 2026

  11. New Era

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital provides essential healthcare care

    Source

    “Facilities such as Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, district hospitals in Omuthiya and Tsumeb, as well as private institutions including Selma Rainio Medical Centre and Tsumeb Private Hospital, provide essential care.”

    From rural roots to growth: Oshikoto’s development journey
  12. January 2026

  13. New Era

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital was location of regional blood bank established from NamBTS surplus

    Source

    “Recent surpluses were used to establish regional blood banks in Onandjokwe and Rundu, improving access outside Windhoek.”

    Hidden cost of free blood …Why it costs money, donors are not paid
Society

Mother accused of interfering in N$2.1m Sanlam fraud probe

The News

The mother of Onandjokwe intern doctor Kelsey Kudumo is accused of repeatedly contacting and bothering a police officer investigating her daughter's alleged involvement in a N$2.1 million Sanlam fraud scheme. Kudumo is among medical staff members from Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital arrested in connection with an alleged fraudulent Sanlam insurance scheme involving falsified medical reports and laboratory results.

Why it matters

Mother accused of interfering in N$2.1 million Sanlam fraud investigation raises concerns about potential obstruction in major healthcare fraud case.

26 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 26 May

  1. Mother accused of interfering in N$2.1m Sanlam fraud probe

    The mother of Onandjokwe intern doctor Kelsey Kudumo is accused of repeatedly contacting and bothering a police officer investigating her daughter's alleged involvement in a N$2.1 million Sanlam fraud scheme. Kudumo is among medical staff members from Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital arrested in connection with an alleged fraudulent Sanlam insurance scheme involving falsified medical reports and laboratory results.

    26 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 23 May

  1. Intern doctor's family appeals for bail in fraud case

    The mother of incarcerated intern doctor Kelsey Kudumo told an Ondangwa court that her daughter's arrest has shattered the family's hopes of escaping poverty, and appealed for bail to allow Kudumo to complete her medical internship. Kudumo was arrested in March in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving approximately N$2.1 million reportedly stolen from Sanlam.

    23 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 21 May

  1. State says doctor's mother interfered with prosecution

    At a bail hearing in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court, the state alleged that Kelsey Kudumo's mother attempted to influence the prosecution process by contacting prosecutors regarding bail. The state argued Kudumo should remain in custody as a flight risk, citing her previous residence in China and travel to Nigeria, while Kudumo said she lived in China for studies and visited Nigeria for church purposes.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Hospital intern accused in N$2.1 million insurance fraud scheme

    Kelsey Kudumo, an Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital intern doctor, faces allegations of participating in an insurance fraud scheme involving falsified medical reports and laboratory results amounting to more than N$2.1 million. The prosecution claims medical records were falsified to support fraudulent insurance claims, with two doctors and a former nurse also linked to the scheme.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Intern doctor denies role in alleged insurance fraud scheme

    An Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital intern doctor has denied participating in a fraudulent Sanlam insurance scheme involving falsified medical reports and laboratory results amounting to more than N$2.1 million. The state alleges she worked with medical doctors, a former nurse, a criminal gang leader and 16 others to defraud the insurer by exchanging laboratory results and falsifying medical records.

    20 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Ex-nurse accused of swapping lab results in insurance fraud

    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 →

  2. Former nurse denies knowing alleged Sanlam fraud kingpin

    Festus Amwaalwa, a former Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital nurse applying for bail, has denied knowing alleged Sanlam fraud kingpin Abner Mateus or involvement in fraudulent insurance claims. State prosecutors allege Mateus recruited Amwaalwa to process fraudulent Sanlam claims amounting to about N$1.9m, but Amwaalwa testified he only met Mateus after their arrests in the investigation.

    19 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 18 May

  1. Ex-nurse details spending from fraudulent N$1.3 million Sanlam claim

    Former Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital nurse Festus Amwaalwa testified in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court that he received N$35,000 as a token of appreciation from a fraudulent Sanlam insurance claim involving approximately N$1.3 million, and used part of the money for personal expenses including car repairs, clothes for his children, and Christmas food for his mother. He also testified that additional funds were distributed to other individuals, including intern doctor Kelsey Kudumo (N$20,000), Ottilie Johannes (N$40,000), and Hela Mpinge (N$5,000).

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. 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

  1. Second hospital suspends elective surgery over anaesthetic drug shortage

    Rundu Intermediate Hospital has halted elective surgeries due to shortages of critical anaesthetic agents needed for general anaesthesia, linked to supply constraints at Central Medical Stores. This follows a similar suspension at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, with both hospitals prioritizing emergency cases using remaining anaesthetic stock.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Onandjokwe Hospital suspends elective surgeries due to anaesthetic shortage

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has suspended all elective surgical procedures after running out of critical anaesthetic agents required for general anaesthesia, with similar supply constraints affecting the Central Medical Stores. The suspension is intended to prioritize limited supplies for emergency cases, and has raised parliamentary concerns about patient safety and operational stability at public health facilities.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 April

  1. Largest maternity ward in Namibia officially opens

    A 120-bed maternity ward at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital in Oshikoto has been inaugurated by Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao. The facility, costing N$57 million and described as the largest in the country, replaces a 1964-era maternity building and aims to address long-standing healthcare needs for expectant and new mothers.

    13 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Onandjokwe hospital cuts maternal mortality ahead of SDG target

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has reduced its maternal mortality ratio from over 400 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1998 to 70 per 100,000 in 2026, ahead of the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 3 target for 2030. The hospital's newly opened 120-bed maternity unit features advanced facilities and has also improved neonatal outcomes and reduced patient waiting times significantly.

    13 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 11 April

  1. Namibia opens largest maternity unit at Onandjokwe Hospital

    Health Minister Esperance Luvindao officially opened Namibia's largest maternity unit at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital in Oshikoto region, featuring a 120-bed capacity with 12 private rooms, two operating theatres, and comprehensive services for antenatal care, labour, delivery, and post-natal support. The facility, built at a cost of N$57 million, is expected to reduce pressure on existing facilities and improve maternal and child health outcomes in the region.

    11 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. 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 →

Friday 20 March

  1. Oshikoto Region records steady development since independence

    Since 1990, Oshikoto has expanded infrastructure, education, healthcare and services through regional council coordination. Key developments include 11 constituency offices, water and electricity systems, 18 senior secondary schools, hospitals, and improved road networks across the region.

    20 March 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 14 March

  1. 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 →

Monday 2 March

  1. Health Minister outlines plan for civil servants to use public hospitals

    Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao presented a readiness strategy for Vision April 2026, a directive requiring civil servants to seek healthcare in public facilities rather than private providers. The implementation plan includes recruitment of over 2,000 health workers, improved medicines procurement, equipment upgrades, and a phased rollout beginning April 1 with senior leaders at seven designated public hospitals.

    2 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 30 January

  1. Namibia's blood transfusion service explains cost behind free donations

    Although Namibians donate blood freely, the Namibia Blood Transfusion Service charges patients for transfusions to cover processing, testing, and storage costs—part of a WHO-endorsed voluntary donation model. NamBTS says the country has strong donor participation but faces fragile supplies and hopes to expand the donor base through awareness campaigns.

    30 January 2026 · New Era →

Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute