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July 2026
Informanté
Otjiwarongo State Hospitalallegedly had a cast applied too tightlyto a child's broken arm
Source
“A MOTHER has come forward with a harrowing account from Otjiwarongo State Hospital, alleging that her little boy's arm had to be amputated after a cast that was allegedly applied too tightly by a hospital practitioner led to nerve damage.”
Otjiwarongo State Hospitalhad suspected stolen medicines allegedly found on shelves of a tuckshop in Orwetovenisuspected stolen medicines on tuckshop shelves in Orwetoveni
Source
“A 40-year-old Congolese national was arrested in connection with the theft of suspected stolen medicines from the Otjiwarongo State Hospital, which were allegedly found on the shelves of a tuckshop in Orwetoveni on Friday.”
Otjiwarongo State Hospitalallegedly failed to followEmergency Response Protocol for breathing difficulties
Source
“The family further claims that the medical personnel on duty that fateful day did not follow the Emergency Response Protocol for breathing difficulties/Emergency Protocol for Cardiac Emergencies and that the doctor on duty allegedly only tried to tend to him after he had already passed on.”
Otjiwarongo State Hospitalwas site ofnursing negligence resulting in mother's serious injuries
Source
“On 7 November, Namibia's High Court awarded damages of N$1 million to a mother who suffered serious injuries because of nursing negligence at Otjiwarongo State Hospital.”
A mother has alleged that her six-year-old son's arm was amputated at Windhoek hospital following complications from a cast applied at Otjiwarongo State Hospital in April 2026. She claims the cast was applied too tightly, causing nerve damage and turning the child's arm blue, and says the hospital has not explained what led to the amputation.
A mother has alleged that her six-year-old son's arm was amputated at Windhoek hospital following complications from a cast applied at Otjiwarongo State Hospital in April 2026. She claims the cast was applied too tightly, causing nerve damage and turning the child's arm blue, and says the hospital has not explained what led to the amputation.
A Kalkfeld widower donated an ambulance worth N$4 million after his wife died in 2024 when she missed medical appointments due to lack of ambulance availability.
A retired pastor in Kalkfeld recounts how the lack of an available ambulance prevented his wife from attending medical appointments in February and May 2024, leading to her condition worsening and her death in July 2024. The shortage of ambulances in rural areas continues to delay emergency response, though a new ambulance has recently arrived in Kalkfeld to provide relief.
Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced the ministry of health and social services is planning to establish Namibia's first dedicated national air ambulance service to improve emergency medical care and access to treatment in remote communities. The announcement accompanies plans to procure 30 additional ambulances during the 2026/27 financial year.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services received two fully equipped ambulances from the Namport Social Investment Fund, with one allocated to Kalkfeld in Otjozondjupa region and the other to an area of greatest need. Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said the donation will strengthen emergency medical services in remote communities where long distances pose challenges to healthcare delivery.
A 40-year-old Congolese national was arrested in connection with suspected stolen medicines from Otjiwarongo State Hospital found on shelves of a tuckshop in Orwetoveni. Police say the arrest stemmed from a physical confrontation with a former health assistant over profit-sharing from the sale of medicines, baby formula, and diapers allegedly smuggled from the hospital.
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.
The Independent Patriots for Change condemned the fatal shooting of a 39-year-old man from Oshana region at Otjiwarongo, calling the killing a citizen with mental illness who needed medical attention. The party called for an independent investigation and the establishment of an independent police complaints authority, arguing police should not investigate their own conduct.
Three separate incidents of alleged reckless and negligent driving in Otjiwarongo and Omulunga over the weekend left three pedestrians injured, including a two-year-old boy struck by an unlicenced driver in Grootfontein. One suspect was arrested after driving under the influence, while police investigations into all incidents continue.
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao handed over 15,000 newly procured uniforms for state medical doctors and nurses across the country, manufactured by August 26 Manufacturing Company at a cost of about N$56 million. The uniforms—the first issued by the government since 2014—retain the traditional colours of white coats for doctors and navy blue and white for nurses.
Community members from Otjiwarongo marched to the state hospital and submitted a petition demanding improved healthcare following the death of a 21-year-old man, whose family alleges he died due to medical negligence after presenting with breathing difficulties and being discharged with low oxygen levels.
At least seven serious road accidents occurred across Namibia between Friday and Sunday, resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries. Police reported that suspected drink-driving and mechanical failures contributed to several of the incidents.
A 15-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality and Social Services commenced visits to capital projects initiated by the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Otjozondjupa region. The committee is conducting oversight and evaluation of the projects, following reports from the regional governor that many health infrastructure projects in the region remain dormant, incomplete, or non-functional despite multi-year budgeting.
A 24-year-old woman died instantly on Monday night in a collision between a minibus and a sedan on the Otjiwarongo–Okahandja B1 road, about 15 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo. The minibus driver lost control and the vehicle overturned several times; one other occupant was seriously injured.