Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Walters Kamaya

2025-01-092026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. December 2025

  2. The Namibian

    Ministry of Health and Social Services spokesperson Walters Kamaya said the ministry was not aware of the outcome of the disciplinary process

    Source

    “Asked for comment, ministry of health and social services spokesperson Walters Kamaya says the ministry was not aware of the outcome of the disciplinary process.”

    Guilty verdict reopens family’s painful chapter
  3. January 2025

  4. The Namibian

    Walters Kamaya said of 161 babies born, 90 were girls and 71 were boys

    Source

    “Walters Kamaya, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, said of the 161 babies born, 90 were girls and 71 were boys.”

    Namibia welcomes 161 babies on New Year's Day
Society

Windhoek mental health facility admits systemic security failures

The News

The Ministry of Health and Social Services acknowledged systemic failures at the Windhoek Central Mental Health Centre, citing inadequate infrastructure and human resource deficits that contributed to poor supervision. The admission followed a patient escaping and a fatal police shooting incident.

Why it matters

Ministry admits systemic security failures at Windhoek Central Mental Health Centre following patient escape and fatal shooting incident.

14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 14 May

  1. Windhoek mental health facility admits systemic security failures

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services acknowledged systemic failures at the Windhoek Central Mental Health Centre, citing inadequate infrastructure and human resource deficits that contributed to poor supervision. The admission followed a patient escaping and a fatal police shooting incident.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. State hospitals face critical shortages of eye care medicines

    Shortages of essential chronic medications for hypertension, diabetes, and ophthalmology at Windhoek Central Hospital could result in suspension of surgeries and risk of permanent blindness. An ophthalmologist warns that the department lacks critical glaucoma and post-operative medications and cannot safely continue cataract operations without them.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 7 May

  1. State House intruder's family seeks CCTV footage and answers

    The family of Giano Seibeb, accused of trespassing at State House in Windhoek, is demanding to see closed-circuit television footage of the incident and wants answers on how he escaped Windhoek Central Hospital's mental health centre where he had been admitted. The incident led President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to suspend police inspector general Joseph Shikongo.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 4 May

  1. Ministry offers public dental care as NHP payment crisis stalls private dentists

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has urged 83,048 beneficiaries of the Namibia Health Plan to access dental care at public health facilities after dentists affiliated with the Namibia Dental Association halted services, citing payment claim delays. The government assured patients would not be turned away, while Namfisa said it was urgently assessing the situation.

    4 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. Government launches Vision April 2026 healthcare reform initiative

    Namibia's government has begun phased implementation of Vision April 2026, an initiative to transform public healthcare by improving accessibility, quality and citizen confidence. The programme, which mandates senior government officials to use public facilities starting April 2024, includes infrastructure upgrades, N$239 million in medical equipment procurement and recruitment of 2,307 health workers, with expansion to additional facilities planned for 2027.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Okahandja woman seeks identity help to bury partner

    An Okahandja woman is appealing for help to bury her partner of nine years, who died in hospital in March but remains unidentified after authorities found no official records of him despite fingerprint checks. Social workers are investigating through community connections, and the woman hopes public appeal will help trace his family or origin.

    15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Health ministry awaits police conclusion on hospital fraud case

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services will not take disciplinary action against four nurses, an intern doctor, and a doctor from Onandjokwe State Hospital accused of defrauding Sanlam of about N$1.9 million until police investigations are completed. The 12 arrested individuals are alleged to have helped members of the public claim insurance payouts using fake documents and fake death claims between 2020 and 2024.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 April

  1. VIP hospital unit contradicts healthcare reform drive, critics argue

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah ordered government officials to use public hospitals from April, but Windhoek Central Hospital's new VIP unit exclusively for senior officials has drawn opposition criticism as discriminatory and contrary to equitable healthcare goals. Opposition leaders and analysts argue the separate facility undermines the reform and mirrors apartheid-era segregation.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 5 April

  1. DBN funds N$1 billion Windhoek District Hospital construction

    The Development Bank of Namibia has allocated N$1 billion for construction of a 500-bed Windhoek District Hospital in Havana to address bed shortages and ease pressure on existing facilities in the Khomas region. The project is part of the government's healthcare infrastructure development plan and is expected to stimulate economic activity through construction and job creation, though land clearing remains pending before work commences.

    5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. PM says public and private healthcare can work together

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare visited Katutura and Central Hospital to assess readiness for a new policy requiring senior government officials to use State hospitals. The government has not yet decided which services will be offered at public versus private facilities; instead, patients will first be treated at State hospitals and referred to private providers if specialised care is unavailable.

    1 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 26 March

  1. Five promised hospitals remain unfinished after years of delays

    Namibia has failed to complete or begin construction on at least five district and intermediate hospitals announced between 2007 and 2024, with the oldest project at Ondangwa dating back 19 years. The health ministry attributes the delays to funding constraints, contractor failures, and pandemic disruptions, while health workers and residents warn that the lack of accessible facilities forces patients to travel dangerously long distances for care.

    26 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 23 March

  1. Namibia monitors South African Citro-Soda recall for safety risks

    Following a South African recall of Citro-Soda antacid batches, Namibia's Health Ministry is investigating whether affected products entered the local market and will consult with the Medicines Regulatory Council. The ministry has advised the public to remain vigilant and consult healthcare professionals if they experience unusual symptoms after using the product.

    23 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Ministry confirms no unclaimed bodies in state mortuaries

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has confirmed that there are currently no unclaimed bodies in state mortuaries across Namibia, with all bodies either claimed or within legally required holding periods. This marks a turnaround from 2023, when Windhoek Central Hospital mortuary held over 200 unclaimed bodies, including infants and unidentified adults.

    13 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Recalled South African baby formula may have reached Namibia

    Aptamil Nutribiotik 2 and Aptajunior Nutribiotik 3 infant formulas have been recalled in South Africa due to potential cereulide toxin contamination in raw materials, with the manufacturer confirming the products were exported to Namibia. The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it has not yet received official notification of the recall, while concerned parents in Windhoek express worry about formula safety and availability.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Government halts medical store construction, leans toward renting Ramatex facility

    Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services has abruptly suspended a tender process for building a N$194 million central medical store and is instead planning to lease and renovate part of the Ramatex Rhino Garments building at N$100,000 monthly, a pivot that the Global Fund (which approved the original construction plan) is reportedly discussing with the government.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 9 March

  1. Namibian health students in Zambia lack scholarship funds

    The National African Students' Association has raised alarm over unpaid scholarship funds leaving Namibian government-sponsored health students in Zambia unable to pay for meals, accommodation, or tuition. The health ministry said it is preparing a statement on the issue.

    9 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 27 February

  1. N$2.9bn Windhoek district hospital construction delayed two years

    Construction of a planned 500-bed state hospital in Windhoek's Havana settlement has not yet commenced, two years after a 2024 groundbreaking ceremony, despite being scheduled for 2027 completion. Residents and opposition parties question the project's progress, while the health ministry reports that preliminary infrastructure work including road and utility connections is underway.

    27 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. Zambezi region reaches over 42,000 children in polio vaccination drive

    The Zambezi region vaccinated 42,478 children against polio in a recent nationwide campaign, achieving high coverage with strong parent cooperation, though flooded roads hindered access to some remote areas. The health ministry urged parents to participate in a second vaccination round scheduled for 24–27 February 2026.

    4 February 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 3 February

  1. New HIV injection approved but condoms remain essential

    Namibia has registered Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection to prevent HIV, which health experts welcome as an important addition to prevention efforts. Experts warn the injection does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy, and stress that condoms and other preventive measures must continue.

    3 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Agriculture expert warns work visa delays disrupt food security

    Agriculture specialist Bertus Kruger has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to promptly renew work visas for foreign experts in agricultural projects, warning that delays could disrupt vital food security initiatives relying on advisers from Angola, Zimbabwe, and the EU. The home affairs ministry recently extended an amnesty for overstaying foreign nationals to 20 January, and a health ministry spokesperson stressed that all ministries must ensure foreign staff have legal immigration status.

    21 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 15 January

  1. Poliovirus detected in Kavango East triggers nationwide vaccination drive

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has intensified a national polio vaccination campaign after poliovirus type 2 was detected in sewage samples in Kavango East in November 2025, though no clinical cases have been reported. The ministry plans nationwide vaccination rounds in January and February targeting children under 10, with house-to-house campaigns supported by the UN and World Health Organisation.

    15 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Walters Kamaya — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute