Richard Banda

Also known as: Dr Richard Banda · Dr. Richard Banda · WHO Country Representative Dr Richard Banda

WHO country representative who called for investment in safer walking and cycling infrastructure in Namibia.

2024-08-142026-08-21

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

April 2026
30 AprInformanté
Dr. Richard Banda stated Namibia has always been a leader in malaria control and elimination
Source
“According to WHO Namibia Country Representative Dr. Richard Banda, "Namibia has always been a leader in the control and elimination of malaria."”
Namibia strengthens push to eliminate malaria
8 AprThe Namibian
World Health Organisation country representative Richard Banda says Namibia's progress in reducing under-five mortality represents thousands of children who now have chance to grow up and thrive
Source
“World Health Organisation country representative Richard Banda says Namibia's progress in reducing under-five mortality over the past decades represents "thousands of children who now have the chance to grow up and thrive".”
Namibia urged to strengthen child health as preventable deaths continue, says Unicef
8 AprThe Namibian
Richard Banda says noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer are becoming more common
Source
“Banda says noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer are becoming more common.”
Namibia urged to strengthen child health as preventable deaths continue, says Unicef
February 2026
1 FebThe Namibian
Richard Banda says there is no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission
Source
“"There is no evidence at this stage of increased human-to-human transmission, and India has demonstrated the capacity to contain such outbreaks based on previous experience," Banda says.”
Low risk of deadly Nipah virus spreading to Namibia
August 2024
14 AugThe Namibian
WHO country representative Richard Banda said IRS is a powerful intervention which can rapidly reduce malaria transmissions
Source
“World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Richard Banda said IRS is a powerful intervention which can rapidly lead to a reduction in malaria transmissions.”
Namibia records 12 286 malaria cases, 28 deaths this year

Society

Parliamentary committee investigates hookah use among Namibian learners

The News

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.

14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 14 July

Parliamentary committee investigates hookah use among Namibian learners
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.
14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 9 July

City of Windhoek destroys 580,000 kg of unsafe food
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.
9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 1 July

Ministry acknowledges vaccination gaps despite 90 percent polio coverage
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.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 30 June

Namibia halts polio vaccinations after 90% coverage target
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.
30 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia halts polio vaccinations after reaching ninety percent coverage
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.
30 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 11 June

WHO warns of teen vaping surge in Namibian schools
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.
11 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 18 May

Over 70% of low-income Namibians depend on walking and cycling
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.
18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 15 May

WHO representative urges investment in safer walking and cycling
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.
15 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 30 April

Namibia intensifies malaria elimination efforts amid rising cases
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.
30 April 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 8 April

Namibia urged to strengthen prevention as child deaths persist
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.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 1 February

WHO says Nipah virus spread risk to Namibia remains low
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.
1 February 2026 · The Namibian →