Former health minister Dr Richard Kamwisaidindividual procurement weakens countries' negotiating ability and contributes to recurring shortages
Source
“Former health minister Dr Richard Kamwi said individual procurement weakens countries' ability to negotiate favourable prices and contributes to recurring shortages.”
Dr Richard Kamwihas been appointedpresident of the Society for AIDS in Africa
Source
“Former minister of health and social services Dr Richard Kamwi has been appointed president of the Society for AIDS in Africa following a leadership handover ceremony and executive board transition meeting held from 14 to 15 May in Accra, Ghana.”
Dr. Richard Kamwiemphasisedthe need to sustain malaria elimination progress and maintain momentum towards elimination
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“Kamwi, who serves as the SADC Malaria Elimination 8 Ambassador, emphasised the need to sustain progress made over the years, strengthen community ownership, and maintain momentum towards elimination.”
Former health minister Richard KamwisaysAfrica accounts for more than 80% of malaria deaths
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“Former health minister Richard Kamwi says Africa remains the most affected continent, accounting for more than 80% of malaria deaths, particularly among children under five and pregnant women.”
Richard Kamwiwarned that Namibia is likely to recordmore malaria cases and deaths this year
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“Former health minister and malaria elimination ambassador Richard Kamwi on Tuesday warned that Namibia is likely to record more malaria cases and deaths this year.”
Richard Kamwiwarned that Namibia is likely to recordmore malaria cases and deaths this year than in 2025
Source
“Former health minister and malaria elimination ambassador Richard Kamwi has warned that Namibia is likely to record more malaria cases and deaths this year than in 2025.”
Namibia's government has rejected a US proposal for health data and specimen-sharing worth over N$145 million per year for HIV and tuberculosis programmes, citing sovereignty and privacy violations. The US withdrew the biological specimen component in November 2025, though data-sharing negotiations continue.
Namibia's government has rejected a US proposal for health data and specimen-sharing worth over N$145 million per year for HIV and tuberculosis programmes, citing sovereignty and privacy violations. The US withdrew the biological specimen component in November 2025, though data-sharing negotiations continue.
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.
SADC governments spend billions on medicines and supplies, yet hospitals and clinics face shortages of essential drugs. A regional pooled procurement system, approved in 2017, would allow member states to combine purchasing power and negotiate better prices, but implementation remains slow nearly a decade later.
Former Namibian health minister Dr Richard Kamwi has been appointed president of the Society for AIDS in Africa, an organisation focused on strengthening the continent's response to HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, emerging infectious diseases and broader public health issues. The appointment followed a leadership handover ceremony and executive board transition meeting held in Accra, Ghana on 14–15 May.
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.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has started a nationwide polio vaccination campaign following virus detections in sewage at Rundu and Gobabis, with the health minister declaring an outbreak despite no confirmed cases. The last reported polio cases in Namibia occurred in 2006, when 35 cases and 11 deaths were recorded.
Twelve people died from malaria in Omusati region in the first four months of 2026, with the region recording 7,410 confirmed cases out of 57,180 nationally, according to statistics released by Omusati governor Immanuel Shikongo during World Malaria Day commemoration. Countrywide, 61 people have died and 3,067 were hospitalised, with the governor describing the figures as alarming.
The Zambezi region is experiencing a spike in malaria cases, with residents in Kongola constituency forced to walk over 10 kilometres to reach clinics due to lack of transport and services. The region recorded about 2,026 cases and four deaths this year, with community activists calling for preventive measures including mosquito net distribution, while health authorities say an outbreak response has been activated.
Malaria cases in Namibia rose sharply to 8,760 infections in the first four weeks of 2025, up 68% from the same period last year, with one death recorded. Former health minister Richard Kamwi blamed the outbreak on the Ministry of Health's failure to meet WHO's 85% indoor residual spraying standard and warned of more cases and deaths this year than in 2025, compounded by rainfall patterns favoring mosquito breeding.