Rundu State Hospital

Government medical facility in Kavango East treating patients across the region, addressing medicine shortages and food poisoning cases.

2026-01-272026-08-21

What’s been said

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

May 2026
11 MayThe Namibian
Rundu State Hospital received two injured boys for medical treatment
Source
“Kanyetu said the boys were rushed to the Rundu State Hospital for medical treatment.”
Two boys injured in explosion near Rundu military base
April 2026
22 AprNamibian Sun
Rundu State Hospital declared dead on arrival the inmate in the early hours of Monday
Source
“Kavango East Crime Investigations Coordinator Deputy Commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu said the inmate allegedly started vomiting before collapsing and was rushed unconscious to Rundu State Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival in the early hours of Monday.”
Man dies while in custody
March 2026
19 MarThe Namibian
Rundu State Hospital admitted four pupils from the food poisoning incident
Source
“Four of the pupils are currently admitted to Rundu State Hospital after 283 experienced symptoms of food poisoning after eating pap, chicken and soup for lunch.”
Rundu pupils blame cockroaches and dirty kitchen for suspected food poisoning at school hostel
17 MarThe Namibian
Rundu State Hospital currently has 15 pupils from Rundu Secondary School with suspected food poisoning
Source
“Fifteen pupils from Rundu Secondary School in the Kavango East region are currently at the Rundu State Hospital for suspected food poisoning.”
15 pupils at Kavango East school receive medical assistance over suspected food poisoning
January 2026
30 JanNew Era
the same contractor failed to complete work on Intensive Care Unit and Dialysis Unit at Rundu State Hospital
Source
“The contract in question was awarded to the same contractor who, a few years ago, failed to complete work on the Intensive Care Unit and Dialysis Unit at the Rundu State Hospital.”
Gobabis hospital irks Luvindao
30 JanNew Era
Rundu State Hospital received transfers of 28 learners for further medical observation
Source
“Hamutenya noted that of the 113 learners who visited the clinic, 28 were transferred to Rundu State Hospital for further medical observation.”
Katjinakatji food poisoning scare contained
30 JanInformanté
Rundu State Hospital received about 40 learners with food poisoning symptoms
Source
“About 40 learners were taken to Rundu State Hospital on Monday, 26 January 2025, after reporting symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting and general body malaise.”
School food poisoning pinned on “bad bread”
28 JanThe Namibian
Rundu State Hospital treated 28 pupils from Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School
Source
“Twenty-Eight pupils from Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School in the Kavango West region were treated at Rundu State Hospital on Monday following a suspected food poisoning incident at the school hostel.”
Kavango West pupils return to school after suspected food poisoning
27 JanThe Namibian
Rundu State Hospital treated 28 pupils from Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School following a suspected food poisoning incident
Source
“Twenty-eight pupils from Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School in the Kavango West region were treated at Rundu State Hospital on Monday following a suspected food poisoning incident at the school hostel.”
Kavango West pupils return to school after suspected food poisoning

Society

Medicine shortage at Rundu Hospital part of nationwide crisis

The News

The Ministry of Health and Social Services says a critical shortage of medicines at Rundu State Hospital and clinics is not isolated but a countrywide issue, with patients leaving without medications and those with chronic conditions at particular risk. The ministry says it is addressing the shortage and has committed to providing monthly updates on pharmaceutical stock levels at government Central Medical Stores.

21 July 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 21 July

Medicine shortage at Rundu Hospital part of nationwide crisis
The Ministry of Health and Social Services says a critical shortage of medicines at Rundu State Hospital and clinics is not isolated but a countrywide issue, with patients leaving without medications and those with chronic conditions at particular risk. The ministry says it is addressing the shortage and has committed to providing monthly updates on pharmaceutical stock levels at government Central Medical Stores.
21 July 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 11 May

Two boys injured in explosion near Rundu military base
Two boys from Mavanze village in Kavango East were injured on Sunday afternoon after an explosive device they were playing with detonated near a military base. Josef Ndumba (14) sustained arm injuries and Tende Rayne (13) suffered multiple injuries to his stomach and legs; both are receiving treatment at Rundu State Hospital in serious but stable condition.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 April

37-year-old inmate dies after collapsing at Rundu Police Station
A 37-year-old man died this week after collapsing in custody at Rundu Police Station and was rushed unconscious to Rundu State Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. He had been detained on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm under the Domestic Violence Act and was scheduled for a mental health check-up.
22 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Thursday 16 April

PM denies two-tier healthcare system, announces hospital upgrades
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare rejected claims that public hospitals are creating special VIP units for government officials, saying the government's focus is improving healthcare for all Namibians. He highlighted seven major health facilities earmarked for upgrades and announced Vision April 2026, a programme requiring senior officials to use public hospitals to improve service quality nationwide.
16 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 19 March

Fifteen pupils at Rundu hostel treated for food poisoning
Pupils at Rundu Secondary School in Kavango East reported suspected food poisoning after eating lunch, with 15 treated and four admitted to hospital. The pupils blamed the hostel kitchen's dirty conditions and poor hygiene, noting the presence of cockroaches, flies, and drainage problems; health inspectors were investigating and similar incidents have affected schools across both Kavango regions.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 March

Fifteen pupils hospitalised with suspected food poisoning
Fifteen pupils from Rundu Secondary School in Kavango East region are at Rundu State Hospital with suspected food poisoning, while 283 pupils at the hostel showed symptoms of diarrhoea. Health inspectors are investigating the cause, with hostel superintendent Samuel Marungu saying the suspected contamination may be linked to meals served for lunch or dinner.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 30 January

Health minister vows to terminate delayed contractor at Gobabis hospital
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao expressed frustration over a multi-million-dollar Gobabis State Hospital theatre renovation that has taken nearly six years and repeatedly missed deadlines under the same contractor, who previously failed to complete similar work at Rundu State Hospital. Luvindao has directed immediate termination of all outstanding and delayed contracts, warning that performance will now be consistently linked to employment retention.
30 January 2026 · New Era →
Katjinakatji school hostel food scare resolved, learners stable
After 113 learners at Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School hostel sought medical attention on Monday with stomach cramps and diarrhoea following consumption of bread delivered Friday, 28 were hospitalised and later discharged. Medical assessments found no poison or toxic substances; health professionals concluded symptoms were consistent with general stomach upset rather than poisoning.
30 January 2026 · New Era →
School food poisoning linked to stale bread in Kavango West
Forty learners from Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School were hospitalized with diarrhoea, vomiting and body malaise after consuming bread suspected to have gone bad on 25 January 2026. All have been discharged with no fatalities; health officials found no poison or toxic substances and attributed the incident to general stomach upset, prompting the regional council to implement cooler storage units and restrict bread supply to two-day periods.
30 January 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 28 January

Twenty-eight Kavango West pupils treated after food poisoning incident
Twenty-eight pupils from Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School were treated at Rundu State Hospital after suspected food poisoning from a hostel meal of bread and polony on Sunday evening. The school principal attributed the illness to spoiled food caused by unstable electricity supply and delivery delays from the food supplier, and called for a backup generator and better supply chain practices.
28 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 27 January

Kavango West school pupils recover from suspected food poisoning
Twenty-eight pupils from Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School were treated at Rundu State Hospital after a suspected food poisoning incident linked to a hostel meal of bread and processed meat served Sunday evening. The school principal cited unstable electricity supply and concerns about the food supplier's lack of cooling equipment as contributing factors.
27 January 2026 · The Namibian →