Healthcare facility in Oshakati receiving oncology expansion with three specialist oncologists being established as part of northern Namibia cancer care decentralisation.
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May 2026
The Namibian
Oshakati Intermediate HospitalhostedInternational Nurses Day commemorations on Tuesday
Source
“Speaking during International Nurses Day commemorations on Tuesday at the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, Haimene referred to a recently circulated video clip showing alleged mistreatment of a patient at a health facility.”
Oshakati Intermediate Hospitalreceivedseriously injured passenger Andria Nicollette from aircraft crash
Source
“His wife, Andria Nicollette (62), who was a passenger on the aircraft, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, where she is reported to be in a stable condition.”
Oshakati Intermediate Hospitalis earmarked to receivethree specialist oncologists currently training abroad
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“Minister Luvindao said that four specialist oncologists are currently in training abroad, three of whom are earmarked for the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital to strengthen capacity in the densely populated northern regions.”
Oshakati Intermediate Hospitalwill havethree specialist oncologists earmarked in training to strengthen capacity
Source
“I am, however, encouraged that four specialist oncologists are currently in training abroad, three of whom are earmarked for Oshakati Intermediate Hospital to strengthen capacity in the densely populated northern regions.”
Oshakati Intermediate Hospitalhad thieves break into a vehicle parked on itspremises and steal cash, clothes, and documents
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“UNKNOWN thieves broke into an Angola-registered Toyota Land Cruiser which was parked inside the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital premises and stole two bags of clothes, documents and cash: N$3,000 and 90,000 Angolan kwanzas (approximately N$1,500).”
Oshakati Intermediate Hospitalperformedsuccessful tonsillectomy on Hangula's daughter
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“An Oshakati-based father, Tuhafeni Hangula, has commended the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital and doctor Lavinia Johannes, who he described as caring and professional, after his daughter's successful tonsillectomy.”
Oshakati Intermediate Hospitalwas wheresecurity guard died in ICU after dog attack
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“A Security guard died in Oshakati Intermediate Hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) after being brutally attacked by five Rottweiler dogs at the town on Sunday morning.”
Oshakati Intermediate Hospitalis holding under police guarda woman after she allegedly murdered her newborn son
Source
“A woman (34) is under police guard at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital after she allegedly murdered her newborn son and hid his six-day-old body in a deep freezer.”
Oshana regional health director Johanna Haimene said the actions of a few healthcare workers are damaging the reputation of nurses across the country, referencing a recently circulated video of alleged patient mistreatment. She called on nurses to improve patient care, professionalism, and attitudes, and to uphold integrity, accountability and respect for human life.
Why it matters
Regional health director criticises nurse misconduct damaging the profession's reputation and calls for accountability.
Oshana regional health director Johanna Haimene said the actions of a few healthcare workers are damaging the reputation of nurses across the country, referencing a recently circulated video of alleged patient mistreatment. She called on nurses to improve patient care, professionalism, and attitudes, and to uphold integrity, accountability and respect for human life.
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.
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.
Six suspects have been arrested after a mob attack killed an unidentified man in Oshakati West constituency, Oshana region. Villagers allegedly attacked the victim with palm and camel thorn branches and their fists over suspicions of housebreaking; a second man was mistakenly identified and also assaulted, though he survived.
Two doctors, several nurses, teachers, intern doctors and health ministry officials are implicated in a fraud scheme involving false medical insurance claims from Sanlam between 2020 and 2024, with accused individuals appearing in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court charged with submitting fraudulent claims. The scheme allegedly involved fake hospitalisations and medical results, with some perpetrators linked to the murder of a prosecutor.
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.
New Era editorial criticizes the government's plan to shift civil servants from private medical aid to the public health system, launching April 1st, saying that while the policy aim is sound, the Ministry of Health has failed to communicate implementation details—such as how facilities will handle 170,000 additional patients, whether separate units will be created, and how pharmacy access will work. The piece warns that without clear planning and transparency, the already strained public system risks being overwhelmed, and urges the ministry to provide reassurance before the transition takes effect.
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.
Dr Hafeni Undari has become Namibia's first orthopaedic surgeon trained entirely within the country, completing his fellowship examination in 2024. His qualification reduces the need for Namibians to seek treatment abroad and strengthens local specialist capacity in public hospitals and rural areas.
A two-seater light aircraft crashed at Okahao airfield on Sunday while conducting a runway inspection flight, injuring the pilot with minor wounds and his wife passenger seriously. The technical defect caused the crash during low-level flight, and the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority has been notified to investigate.
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao announced that the Ministry of Health will establish oncology services in Oshakati this year, with three specialist oncologists earmarked for the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital as part of efforts to decentralise cancer care and reduce treatment waiting times to a maximum of six weeks. The Ministry also plans to develop radiotherapy capacity, procure new brachytherapy equipment, and ensure availability of essential chemotherapy medicines.
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao says Namibia has seven specialist oncologists—one in the public sector and six in private—which is inadequate to meet national cancer care demand. The ministry plans to expand oncology services to Oshakati and develop a National Cancer Control Programme to reduce waiting times.
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao accepted a donation from the Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies to support cancer control efforts at Windhoek Central Hospital on International Cancer Day. The ministry is developing a comprehensive National Cancer Control Programme, expanding oncology services to northern regions, and working to detect cancer at earlier stages when treatment is more effective and cost-efficient.
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao says Namibia has only one specialist oncologist in the public health sector, with six more in private practice, creating long waiting times and late-stage cancer diagnoses. The government is finalising a national cancer control programme and plans to decentralise services to northern regions, while four oncologists are being trained abroad to strengthen public sector capacity.
Unknown thieves broke into an Angola-registered vehicle parked at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital and stole two bags of clothes, documents, and cash totaling approximately N$4,500. The victims, residents of Angola, declined to open a criminal case and returned home immediately.
Dr Hafeni Undari has become Namibia's first orthopedic surgeon fully trained within the country, completing his specialist qualification through COSECSA in 2024 after training at Namibian hospitals. His achievement demonstrates that the country's health system can now produce internationally-standard specialists locally, reducing reliance on foreign-trained doctors and improving patient access to specialist care.