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August 2026
Windhoek Observer
Penda Ithindiclarified thatthe Azithromycin product was placed under quarantine pending investigations, not formally recalled
Source
“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.”
Penda Ithindiannounced58 line items of critically needed products received and distributed since 16 July 2026
Source
“"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.”
Ministry executive director Penda Ithindisays the deliveries comprise46 medicine line items and 12 clinical supply line items
Source
“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.”
Penda Ithindiasks the court tocondone late filing and allow government to defend the matter
Source
“In a founding affidavit, Penda Ithindi, acting on behalf of the government, asks the court to condone the late filing of the government's plea and allow it to defend the matter despite missing the prescribed deadline.”
Penda Ithindisaidthe Ministry treats these allegations with the utmost seriousness
Source
“"The Ministry treats these allegations with the utmost seriousness. Such allegations are deeply concerning and are fundamentally inconsistent with the ethical standards, professional conduct and values expected from all health professionals serving under the Ministry," executive director Penda Ithindi said.”
Penda Ithindisaidthe ministry treats these allegations with utmost seriousness
Source
“Penda Ithindi, the executive director within the Ministry of Health and Social Services, said the ministry treats these allegations with the utmost seriousness.”
Executive Director Penda Ithindihighlighted the value of China's support inadvancing Namibia's healthcare capabilities through modern medical technology
Source
“Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services Penda Ithindi also highlighted the value of China's support in advancing Namibia's healthcare capabilities, particularly through modern medical technology.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Namibia has not recorded any hantavirus cases, but health authorities are closely monitoring the global and regional situation and urging the public to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing symptoms, especially after rodent exposure or travel to affected regions. As of 6 May, eight cases including three deaths have been reported globally, five confirmed as the Andes strain, the only hantavirus strain known to allow limited human-to-human transmission.
The Ministry of Health's Executive Director confirmed that Namibia has not reported any Hantavirus cases, though the ministry is monitoring the global and regional situation. The statement follows reports of a Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship that travelled from Argentina to Cabo Verde, with five confirmed cases and three suspected as of 6 May 2026.
Namibia has not recorded any cases of Hantavirus despite a recent outbreak on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic that has resulted in eight reported cases, including three deaths. The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it is closely monitoring the global and regional situation and has put precautionary measures in place.