Also known as: Executive director of health and social services Penda Ithindi · Mr Penda Ithindi
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Penda Ithindi
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
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The Namibian
Penda Ithindi said the growing demand for these treatments required careful oversight
“Executive director Penda Ithindi, speaking on behalf of health minister Esperance Luvindao at the opening of the 2026 Namibia Health Exhibition in Windhoek on Friday, said the growing demand for these treatments required careful oversight.”
Ministry warns against ‘unsafe’ weight-loss drugsThe Namibian
Penda Ithindi called on regulatory bodies and healthcare practitioners to protect patient safety
“He called on regulatory bodies to respond to these threats and urged healthcare practitioners to provide evidence-based information to protect patient safety.”
Ministry warns against ‘unsafe’ weight-loss drugsInformanté
Penda Ithindi clarified PSEMAS is administered by the Ministry of Finance, not the Health Ministry
“"To ensure the public receives the most accurate information, we would like to gently clarify that PSEMAS is administered by the Ministry of Finance. All responsibilities regarding the scheme's administration, benefit limits, and related decisions fall under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. While we fully understand that these matters directly impact access to healthcare, the Ministry of Health and Social Services does not oversee the scheme or have the authority to determine or amend PSEMAS limits," the Health Ministry's Executive Director, Penda Ithindi, clarified.”
Public urged to direct PSEMAS queries to Finance MinistryInformanté
Penda Ithindi urged the public to direct all enquiries regarding PSEMAS to the Ministry of Finance
“Ithindi therefore urged the public to direct all enquiries, feedback and requests for clarification regarding PSEMAS benefits and administration to the Ministry of Finance.”
Public urged to direct PSEMAS queries to Finance MinistryNew Era
Penda Ithindi is GIPF Board of Trustees chairperson
“The new regional office, constructed at a cost of nearly N$100 million, commenced construction on 3 June 2022 and was completed on 12 December 2025, GIPF Board of Trustees chairperson Penda Ithindi said.”
GIPF invests N$466m in OshanaWindhoek Observer
GIPF Board of Trustees chairperson Penda Ithindi said the Fund launched the Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHLS) in January 2026
“GIPF Board of Trustees chairperson Penda Ithindi said the Fund launched the Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHLS) in January 2026 to improve access to housing finance for active members.”
GIPF assets reach N$223 billionWindhoek Observer
Penda Ithindi clarified that the Azithromycin product was placed under quarantine pending investigations, not formally recalled
“Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer, the executive director in the ministry of health and social services, Penda Ithindi clarified that the Azithromycin product was not formally recalled but rather placed under quarantine pending investigations.”
Two medicines in circulation recalled or quarantinedInformanté
Penda Ithindi announced 58 line items of critically needed products received and distributed since 16 July 2026
“"Since 16 July 2026, a total of 58 line items of critically needed products have been received and distributed throughout the supply chain, comprising 46 medicine line items and 12 clinical supply line items. These deliveries form part of ongoing efforts to replenish stock levels and improve the availability of essential medicines and clinical supplies across public health facilities," the ministry's Executive Director, Penda Ithindi, announced.”
Health ministry restocks essential medical suppliesInformanté
Penda Ithindi assured the ministry continues to monitor stock status of essential medicines
“Ithindi assured that the ministry continues to monitor the stock status of essential medicines across the public health sector.”
Health ministry restocks essential medical suppliesThe Namibian
Ministry executive director Penda Ithindi says the deliveries comprise 46 medicine line items and 12 clinical supply line items
“In its sixth public update on pharmaceutical stock deliveries issued on Tuesday, ministry executive director Penda Ithindi says the deliveries comprise 46 medicine line items and 12 clinical supply line items, which have been distributed throughout the public health supply chain.”
Health ministry receives 58 critical medicine and clinical supply itemsThe 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 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 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 Government Institutions Pension Fund has invested more than N$466 million in Oshana region, supporting housing, education, energy and procurement financing. The Fund opened a new regional office in Ondangwa on Friday, part of efforts to decentralise services and reduce costs for members and pensioners.
30 September 2026 · New Era →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund reported total assets of about N$223 billion, with investments supporting housing, energy, agriculture and other projects nationwide. The Fund serves about 115,000 active members and provides income security to approximately 58,400 pensioners and annuitants, and has invested more than N$466 million in the Oshana region alone.
29 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah inaugurated Namibia's first state-owned Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at Windhoek Central Hospital, hailing it as a milestone toward equitable healthcare access regardless of socio-economic background.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia and the US are negotiating new health sector funding to determine the future of HIV financing in the country, with negotiations intensifying since US President Donald Trump's return to power and the dismantling of USAID. The talks are contentious over data-sharing provisions, with recipient countries concerned that deals tie health aid to data access and critical minerals, though a US government source claims negotiations do not include sharing of personally identifiable data.
30 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council quarantined two batches of Azithromycin Oral Suspension after complaints it failed to dissolve properly and contained lumps, while Cospharm Investments issued a voluntary recall of VCS Flumed Syrup after crystals were found in units.
14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has received and distributed 58 critically needed medical products since 16 July, comprising 46 medicine line items and 12 clinical supply items. The deliveries include cancer medicines, antihypertensive medication, skin treatments, eye drops, and colostomy supplies to support healthcare services across public health facilities.
5 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it has received and distributed 58 critically needed pharmaceutical and clinical supply items since July, comprising 46 medicine line items and 12 clinical supply items. The deliveries include cancer medicines, blood pressure and diabetes medications, tuberculosis and malaria treatments, mental health medicines, and clinical supplies such as colostomy items.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian government has asked the High Court to condone its late filing of a plea in a lawsuit brought by Swakopmund resident Joel Tjombe over the alleged mishandling and decomposition of his mother's body at Okahandja State Hospital. The government attributes the delay to administrative issues involving conflict of interest between two ministries cited as defendants.
23 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Medical doctor Dennis Noa, arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 26-year-old man at a public hospital premises, asked the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court to grant him bail so he can return to his duties. The state opposed bail, citing rape as a serious offence and arguing that release could risk witness interference, further offences, or absconding.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
An intern doctor at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has been remanded in custody on a rape charge after appearing in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court. The alleged incident occurred when the doctor invited a 26-year-old man to celebrate his new job, and the complainant alleges he was sexually assaulted after consuming a drink that appeared to contain a dissolved pill.
21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An intern doctor at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has been remanded in custody on a rape charge after appearing in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court; the ministry of health and social services has launched an internal administrative investigation. The alleged incident occurred when the doctor invited a 26-year-old to the hospital, where the complainant alleges he was drugged and sexually assaulted.
21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has initiated administrative investigations into an alleged rape incident on 19 July 2026 at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, following the arrest of medical intern Dennis Noa (31), who was denied bail in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court. Noa was previously acquitted of a similar rape charge at Katutura Intermediate Hospital in 2021.
20 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched an administrative investigation into medical intern Dennis Noa, who was arrested in connection with an alleged rape at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital. The ministry said it has activated internal disciplinary processes alongside police investigation and condemned sexual violence.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Chinese Embassy says healthcare is a major pillar of Namibia-China cooperation, with Chinese medical teams providing free traditional Chinese medicine services at Katutura State Hospital since 1996; the 15th team treated more than 19,000 patients over 18 months, and the 16th team arrived in 2024 to continue the programme.
10 July 2026 · Informanté →
Government lawyers are accused of mishandling health-related legal cases and potentially sharing settlement payouts with senior ministry officials and claimants' lawyers. Between 2019 and 2024, the health ministry spent N$14.7m on medical claims, with about N$5.5m spent over the past year, amid delays in a nationwide medico-legal training programme.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services' procurement committee has blocked senior officials' proposal to bypass public tender procedures for a N$1-billion medicine purchase, citing concerns that emergency procurement could be abused. The tender was meant to address medicine shortages at public hospitals and clinics.
28 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund has committed N$800 million towards a new unlisted commercial property investment vehicle managed by Oryx Property Limited to finance retail and mall-type properties across Namibia. The investment follows Oryx Property's development of Goreangab Mall in Windhoek, and GIPF holds a 29.46% shareholding in Oryx Properties.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services received 47 major line items of critically needed products between 4 and 17 June, comprising 27 medicine line items and 20 clinical supply items. The deliveries included anti-cancer medicines, with additional essential medicine deliveries expected in the coming weeks.
20 June 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has ordered the Namibia Central Intelligence Service to conduct background checks on about 360 health ministry officials, mostly from the pharmaceutical services directorate at the Central Medical Stores, following allegations of fraud and corruption involving government employees and tenderpreneurs rigging medical tenders and manipulating orders worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has cancelled pharmaceutical and clinical product orders worth N$44.8 million extended to 12 companies after suppliers failed to deliver medicines to the Central Medical Stores, including treatments for mental illness, cancer, and chronic conditions.
15 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on the Government Institutions Pension Fund to invest more of its funds in Namibia to protect its reputation, citing past investment losses outside the country that have damaged public confidence. The GIPF reported an impairment loss of N$815 million from a South African investment in November and faced earlier concerns about untraceable losses exceeding N$600 million.
13 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Cabinet has endorsed an agreement between Namibia and Egypt on pharmaceutical products and medical devices, and approved another agreement with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention for procurement services. The approvals come as the country faces shortages of essential medicines in public health facilities.
12 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 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 →
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 says reports of medicine shortages at public hospitals are giving her "sleepless nights," speaking during a tour of pharmaceutical manufacturer Fabupharm. Medical doctors say shortages of essential medicine persist despite government reports showing national stock levels at about 60%, with patients being turned away at several hospitals.
21 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 →