Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
September 2026
Informanté
Dr Richard BandasaidNamibia continues to record one of the highest suicide rates in the region
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“He said Namibia continues to record one of the highest suicide rates in the region, with each statistic representing a person whose death affects families and communities.”
WHO Country Representative Dr. Richard Bandapresented findings from2024 Namibia Global School-based Student Health Survey
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“Speaking at the World No Tobacco Day commemoration held at the Kuisebmond Stadium Sport Field in Walvis Bay last month, WHO Country Representative Dr. Richard Banda presented findings from the 2024 Namibia Global School-based Student Health Survey.”
WHO representative Dr Richard Bandasaidunsafe food continues to place a heavy burden on public health, economies and livelihoods worldwide
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“World Health Organization (WHO) representative Dr Richard Banda said unsafe food continues to place a heavy burden on public health, economies and livelihoods worldwide.”
WHO country representative Richard Bandasaidnot every eligible child was reached despite more than 90% coverage
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“WHO country representative Richard Banda said while the country's response to the cVDPV2 outbreak showed progress, it was important to acknowledge that not every eligible child was reached.”
WHO Country Representative Dr Richard BandadescribedNamibia's response as a public health success achieved through rapid action and strong collaboration
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“Speaking at the opening of the Polio Outbreak Response Vaccination Campaign Evaluation Meeting in Windhoek, WHO Country Representative Dr Richard Banda described Namibia's response as a public health success achieved through rapid action and strong collaboration.”
WHO Country Representative Dr Richard BandadescribedNamibia's response as a public health success achieved through rapid action and strong collaboration
Source
“Speaking at the opening of the Polio Outbreak Response Vaccination Campaign Evaluation Meeting in Windhoek, WHO Country Representative Dr Richard Banda described Namibia's response as a public health success achieved through rapid action and strong collaboration.”
Dr. Richard Bandapresentedfindings from 2024 Namibia Global School-based Student Health Survey
Source
“Speaking at the World No Tobacco Day commemoration held at the Kuisebmond Stadium Sport Field in Walvis Bay last week, WHO Country Representative Dr. Richard Banda presented findings from the 2024 Namibia Global School-based Student Health Survey.”
Bandatoldtobacco and nicotine industry adapted tactics to target young people through flavours, designs, and social media
Source
“Banda told an audience of government officials, health workers, and community members that the tobacco and nicotine industry has adapted its tactics to target young people through flavours, colourful designs, digital marketing, and social media influence.”
Dr Richard Bandacalled forurgent investment in safer walking and cycling infrastructure
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“World Health Organization country representative Dr Richard Banda has called for urgent investment in safer walking and cycling infrastructure, saying road crashes continue to claim lives and leave many people with permanent injuries in Namibia and across Africa.”
Namibia marks National Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Month (10 September to 10 October 2026) with a focus on breaking stigma, encouraging help-seeking, and strengthening mental health care access. According to a WHO Namibia representative, Namibia continues to record one of the highest suicide rates in the African region, and suicide is preventable through a coordinated approach.
Namibia marks National Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Month (10 September to 10 October 2026) with a focus on breaking stigma, encouraging help-seeking, and strengthening mental health care access. According to a WHO Namibia representative, Namibia continues to record one of the highest suicide rates in the African region, and suicide is preventable through a coordinated approach.
Members of Parliament have launched stakeholder consultations from 13 to 31 July 2026 to examine the health impact of hubbly bubbly (hookah) use on Namibian youth in several regions. Previous oversight visits to Hardap, Khomas, and Erongo regions in August 2024 found widespread use among learners, with concerns about addiction, academic performance, and mixing hookah with alcohol or drugs.
The City of Windhoek destroyed approximately 580,000 kilograms of food deemed unfit for human consumption and obtained a court order to close a non-compliant food business as part of a food safety enforcement drive. The municipality also conducted 140 sampling exercises across formal and informal businesses to monitor compliance with food safety standards.
Namibia's Deputy Health Minister said some children were missed during polio outbreak response vaccination campaigns, despite achieving more than 90 percent coverage nationwide. The ministry is reviewing vaccination coverage, microplanning, team deployment, vaccine logistics, and other aspects of the campaign to ensure comprehensive protection against poliovirus transmission.
Namibia has successfully interrupted transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 following a nationwide vaccination campaign that reached more than 90% of targeted children, with no virus detected since 4 March 2026. The response was supported by more than N$76.5 million in financial aid from the WHO.
The Ministry of Health announced that Namibia has successfully interrupted transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 following a nationwide vaccination campaign that reached more than 90% of targeted children and received more than N$76.5 million in WHO support. No circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus has been detected since 4 March 2026.
A 2024 national survey found that 23% of Namibian students aged 13 to 17 currently use vaping products, with boys reporting nearly 30% e-cigarette use. The WHO Country Representative warned that nicotine addiction among teenagers is deliberately engineered by the tobacco and vape industry through targeted marketing tactics.
A report launched during UN Global Road Safety Week found that more than 70% of daily travel among low-income households in Namibia depends on walking and cycling, but major gaps exist in infrastructure, funding and policies supporting pedestrians and cyclists. Namibia recorded more than 1,000 motor vehicle crashes during the first four months of 2026, resulting in 179 deaths and over 1,700 injuries.
World Health Organization country representative Dr Richard Banda called for urgent investment in safer walking and cycling infrastructure, stating that road crashes continue to claim lives and leave many with permanent injuries in Namibia and across Africa. He said pedestrians and cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users due to poor infrastructure and unsafe conditions, and called for stronger law enforcement, lower speed limits in pedestrian areas, and improved emergency response systems.
Namibia marked World Malaria Day 2026 by reaffirming its commitment to fight malaria, particularly in northern regions where cases are rising. Health Minister Dr. Esperance Luvindao stressed that malaria is preventable and treatable, calling for stronger prevention and early detection efforts supported by coordination with the Africa CDC, WHO, and regional partners.
Unicef's country representative warned during World Health Day that thousands of Namibian newborns continue to die in their first days of life and children under five remain vulnerable to preventable diseases including malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea. While Namibia has made progress in maternal and child health, officials stressed the need for preventive interventions and science-backed responses to emerging threats.
Following two confirmed cases of the rare but highly deadly Nipah virus in India, WHO says the risk of spread to Namibia or southern Africa remains low, with nearly 200 close contacts tested and all negative results. The virus, which has a fatality rate of 40–75% and no approved vaccine, requires close contact for human-to-human transmission, and authorities are monitoring the situation while WHO recommends no travel or trade restrictions.