Also known as: WCH · Windhoek Central Hospital State mortuary
Public hospital in Windhoek providing ophthalmology, ENT, mental health, and surgical services, facing medicine shortages and malpractice litigation.
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The Namibian
Windhoek Central Hospital ordered emergency CT scan revealing tumour behind patient's right eye
“It was only at Windhoek Central Hospital's eye clinic that doctors ordered an emergency computed tomography (CT) scan, which revealed a tumour behind her right eye.”
When cancer comes backNamibian Sun
Windhoek Central Hospital is alleged to have performed tonsil and adenoid surgery by general practitioner without ENT specialist
“Court papers claim that the December 2024 surgery at Windhoek Central Hospital was performed by a general practitioner in the absence of the designated ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.”
N$17m lawsuit claims child blinded, paralysed after state hospital surgeryNamibian Sun
Windhoek Central Hospital allegedly failed to properly manage complications and cardiac arrest during and after the procedure
“The lawsuit also alleges that medical staff negligently failed to properly manage complications and cardiac arrest during and after the procedure.”
N$17m lawsuit claims child blinded, paralysed after state hospital surgeryThe Namibian
Windhoek Central Hospital faces shortages of essential chronic medication for hypertension, diabetes and ophthalmology
“Shortages of essential chronic medication for hypertension, diabetes and ophthalmology at Windhoek Central Hospital could result in the suspension of surgeries and put patients at risk of permanent blindness.”
Blindness risk as state hospitals run out of medicineThe Namibian
Windhoek Central Hospital admitted Giano Seibeb at its mental health centre before the incident
“The family also wants answers from the government on how Seibeb managed to escape Windhoek Central Hospital's mental health centre, where he was admitted before the incident.”
Naked State House intruder’s family demands answersWindhoek Observer
Windhoek Central Hospital admitted Seibeb to mental health ward where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia
“The court heard that Seibeb had been admitted to the mental health ward at Windhoek Central Hospital, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.”
Nampol tight lipped on Shikongo’s suspension benefitsThe Namibian
Windhoek Central Hospital held Seibeb in a ward for patients with mental conditions, from which he escaped
“Kamatoto also said Seibeb was booked into a ward for patients with mental conditions at Windhoek Central Hospital, from which he then escaped, before the incident at State House.”
Mental observation ordered for State House intruderWindhoek Observer
Windhoek Central Hospital admitted and diagnosed Giano Seibeb with schizophrenia
“The court heard that Seibeb had been admitted to the mental health ward at Windhoek Central Hospital, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.”
State House intruder case hinges on mental fitnessInformanté
Windhoek Central Hospital admitted to mental health ward Giano Seibeb
“He is said to have been booked into the mental health ward of Windhoek Central Hospital but allegedly escaped without being formally discharged.”
Man accused of breaching State House security appears in courtWindhoek Observer
Windhoek Central Hospital admitted Giano Seibeb to its mental health ward
“The court heard that Seibeb had been admitted to the mental health ward at Windhoek Central Hospital but allegedly escaped without being formally discharged.”
State House intruder appears in courtGovernment lawyers are accused of mishandling health-related legal cases and potentially sharing settlement payouts with senior ministry officials and claimants' lawyers. Between 2019 and 2024, the health ministry spent N$14.7m on medical claims, with about N$5.5m spent over the past year, amid delays in a nationwide medico-legal training programme.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Government lawyers are accused of mishandling health-related legal cases and potentially sharing settlement payouts with senior ministry officials and claimants' lawyers. Between 2019 and 2024, the health ministry spent N$14.7m on medical claims, with about N$5.5m spent over the past year, amid delays in a nationwide medico-legal training programme.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Health experts in Namibia have announced plans for the country's first research into vitiligo and establishment of a national patient support group, responding to widespread misconceptions that the skin condition is caused by witchcraft, is contagious, or linked to HIV. Despite growing concern over the stigma faced by patients, the country currently lacks national data on the condition, particularly affecting people in rural communities.
1 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Health experts and people living with vitiligo called for greater awareness and education to support those affected by the condition and correct misconceptions. A dermatologist explained that vitiligo is a non-contagious skin condition caused by the destruction of melanocytes and stressed it is not witchcraft, a curse, or anyone's fault.
30 June 2026 · Informanté →
Khomas governor Sam Nujoma said the region has recorded 95% HIV status awareness among people living with HIV, while the government has committed more than N$59.2 million towards healthcare infrastructure projects including hospital renovations and upgrades.
28 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Giano Seibeb, a 29-year-old Windhoek resident who breached State House security in April when found naked in a presidential guest house, has been assessed as mentally unfit to stand trial. A psychiatrist diagnosed him with schizophrenia and substance use disorder, concluding he was incapable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the alleged offences.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Pennina Ndengu began experiencing severe headaches at age 12, and despite repeated visits to clinics, doctors struggled to identify the cause. A tumour behind her right eye was only discovered after an emergency CT scan at Windhoek Central Hospital's eye clinic, and biopsy confirmed cancer.
24 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao warned that Namibia could face an 84% increase in cancer cases by 2045, with projections showing more than 6,300 new cases annually by that year compared to approximately 2,200 in 2018. Experts cited delayed diagnoses, limited rural screening services and barriers to treatment as key challenges, with breast cancer and cervical cancer among the most prevalent forms.
9 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Patric Gaingob was found guilty of murdering his wife, fellow teacher Merenta Gaingos, in a fatal knife attack in April 2019. The judge rejected his claims of automatism and amnesia, noting 12 stab wounds were recorded during post-mortem examination and finding direct intent to murder.
1 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The government proposes a public-private partnership with Rhino Park Private Hospital, where state surgeons would use the private facility's theatres during off-peak hours to operate on public patients and clear around 9,600 elective surgical backlogs at Katutura Intermediate and Windhoek Central hospitals. The arrangement aims to reduce the combined backlog by 30% within 12 months, despite concerns from medical doctors that the state's own 20 theatres in Windhoek are underutilised due to medication shortages.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Medical specialists at public hospitals dispute health minister Esperance Luvindao's assertion that pharmaceutical stock levels have improved to 60%, saying critical shortages of essential medications continue to affect patient care across departments.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A mother is seeking N$17 million in damages, alleging her four-year-old daughter was left blind, paralysed and brain-damaged following a tonsil and adenoid procedure at Windhoek Central Hospital in December 2024. The lawsuit claims medical negligence, including that surgery was performed by a general practitioner without the designated ENT specialist present and that complications including cardiac arrest were mismanaged; the health ministry disputes the allegations and says the ENT specialist was supervising.
20 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →
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 →
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 →
The Namibian Police is not disclosing whether suspended inspector general Joseph Shikongo retains his salary and benefits during suspension; Nampol referred media inquiries to the Presidency's statement, which does not address the conditions of Shikongo's suspension.
7 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has questioned a N$179 million quotation from August 26 Construction for a 400-kilometre border fence project along the Namibia-South Africa border aimed at containing foot-and-mouth disease, citing cost concerns and procurement issues.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A 29-year-old Windhoek resident charged with trespassing, indecent exposure, and housebreaking after being found naked in a State House guest house has been ordered to undergo psychiatric observation to determine if he can understand court proceedings. He has a history of schizophrenia and escaped from a mental ward at Windhoek Central Hospital before the incident.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A 29-year-old man accused of trespassing and housebreaking at State House must undergo mental evaluation to determine fitness to stand trial, though a legal expert notes mental illness does not automatically remove criminal responsibility. The accused was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had left a mental health facility without formal discharge.
6 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Giano Seibeb (29) appeared in Windhoek Magistrate's Court charged with trespassing, housebreaking with intent to commit an offence, and contravening the Immoral Practices Act after allegedly breaching State House security and entering the presidential residence naked on 30 April 2026. The court postponed the matter to 22 June 2026 for a mental evaluation; Seibeb, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, indicated he wishes to plead guilty.
5 May 2026 · Informanté →
Giano Seibeb (29) appeared in Windhoek Magistrate's Court facing charges of trespassing, housebreaking with intent, and contravening the Immoral Practices Act after breaching State House security on 30 April. The court heard he had escaped from the mental health ward at Windhoek Central Hospital where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia; the state requested postponement to 22 June 2026 for a mental evaluation.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A Ministry of Health and Social Services survey of 2,949 Public Service Medical Aid Scheme beneficiaries found that nearly 60% choose private providers for shorter waiting times and specialist availability. Infrastructure and medical equipment emerged as the biggest barriers to improving confidence in public hospitals.
2 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services held a strategic meeting with over 50 clinical specialists from Windhoek's main public hospitals, led by Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao, to discuss service delivery improvements and patient care. The engagement focused on preparations for the upcoming financial year and provided a platform for healthcare professionals to share challenges and propose solutions, with a follow-up meeting planned for June 2026.
22 April 2026 · Informanté →
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 →
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 →
An Okahandja mother has spent the past 10 years caring for her son, who contracted TB meningitis at six months old and spent nearly two years at Katutura State Hospital, including one year in the ICU. Despite his progress in speech and development, Daniel continues to face severe health challenges and requires expensive specialized milk, nappies, and regular hospital treatment, which the family cannot fully afford on social grants alone.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare dismissed claims that planned VIP wards at public hospitals would create a two-tier healthcare system, saying the government's objective is to upgrade public health services accessible to all Namibians and that the controversy has been "dramatised". Opposition lawmakers questioned whether the initiative contradicts government policy on equality, with some arguing it risks reinforcing inequality within public healthcare.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister Veikko Nekundi presented the 2026/2027 budget allocation of N$592.972 million for the Department of Works to the National Assembly, with N$499 million for operational costs and N$93.972 million for capital investment. The budget addresses public infrastructure development, government asset management, and maintenance of state facilities across five programmes.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A joint surgical campaign involving teams from Windhoek Central Hospital, Northern Vision Centre, and international volunteers from Germany and the United States is treating 500 patients with cataract operations across Kavango East and Zambezi regions, with operations running through Friday to restore sight to hundreds.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Rusten !Gu-daob, 13, lost his left eye at age four after falling onto a stick while playing, and now risks total blindness after his remaining right eye began bleeding this year. His vision is severely impaired—he can only count fingers at three centimetres—and doctors suspect the removal of his left eye may have affected the right one; his teacher and community members have appealed for urgent medical intervention.
12 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Institute for Public Policy Research has criticized the government's decision to bypass the Central Procurement Board on N$350 million in projects, arguing it creates risks of corruption and waste. The government has directly awarded contracts including a N$140-million sports stadium project to the Roads Contractor Company and other projects to August 26 without public tendering, a practice that lacks transparency and limits competition for local businesses.
12 April 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →