Also known as: WHO · World Health Organization
United Nations health agency reporting on disease surveillance, health crises, and public health response globally and in Namibia.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
World Health Organisation announced elevated rates of influenza-like illnesses in 11 European countries
“The European Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) conduct monitoring of reported cases of influenza-like illness and coordinate the response thereof. As of the second week of January, the agencies stopped short of sounding the alarm by announcing "elevated rates of influenza-like illnesses in 11 European countries".”
Do we have anything to fear from Europe’s respiratory viruses?The Namibian
World Health Organisation revealed that about 90,000 Namibians are living with diabetes
“Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that about 90 000 Namibians are living with diabetes.”
Reflecting on a year of health challengesThe Namibian
World Health Organisation states NCDs account for 71% of total global deaths
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs account for a staggering 71% of total global deaths.”
Revolutionising non-communicable disease managementThe Namibian
World Health Organisation named Namibia among countries not on track for health millennium development goals
“THE World Health Organisation and the World Bank this week named Namibia among the countries that are not on track to reach the so-called millennium development goals for health.”
Will Namibians be healthy enough by 2015?The Namibian
World Health Organisation says approximately 14.9 million excess deaths occurred directly or indirectly with Covid-19 between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021
“The World Health Organisation says that between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 there were approximately 14,9 million excess deaths associated directly or indirectly with the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Grief and the PandemicThe Namibian
World Health Organisation published the 'Global Influenza Program, Essential steps for developing or updating a national pandemic influenza preparedness plan'
“In the 'Global Influenza Program, Essential steps for developing or updating a national pandemic influenza preparedness plan' published by the World Health Organisation, under the preparation phase it is stipulated that a workplan with budget must be developed.”
‘Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak'The Namibian
World Health Organisation states Namibia has the third highest interpersonal violence death rate in the world
“According to the World Health Organisation, Namibia has the third highest interpersonal violence death rate in the world.”
Men of Quality Respect Women's EqualityThe Namibian
World Health Organisation director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on heads of state and government to undertake concrete reforms
“To that end, World Health Organisation director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently called on heads of state and government to undertake concrete reforms in that direction starting this year.”
The Keys To Universal Health CoverageThe Namibian
World Health Organisation identified air pollution as the single biggest threat to human health in urban areas
“Street trees, research shows, can help reduce air pollution – the single biggest threat to human health, especially in urban areas, according to the World Health Organisation – by filtering fine particulate matter, such as that emitted by internal-combustion engines.”
Greener, Greater CitiesThe Namibian
World Health Organisation produced joint monitoring report with Unicef showing 89% of world's population has access to clean water
“A joint monitoring report by the World Health Organisation and Unicef shows that 89% of the world's population has access to clean water sources.”
Creating A Water Poverty Map For All Of Africa Can Help Sound PoliciesSADC 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.
8 hours ago · New Era →
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.
8 hours ago · New Era →
The World Health Organisation reports that more than 300,000 people die from drowning annually, with children and young people disproportionately affected. More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where people are exposed to water hazards through daily activities including collecting water, fishing, farming and travel.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia is estimated to record 4,205 new cancer diagnoses annually according to the 2024 Global Cancer Observatory estimates, a substantial increase from approximately 3,700 cases previously. The three most diagnosed cancers are breast cancer (701 patients), cervical cancer (453 patients), and prostate cancer (440 patients), with Namibia maintaining one of Africa's highest age-standardised incidence rates at 202.2 per 100,000 population.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
A new WHO Global Status Report on Cancer warns that cancer is an increasing global crisis with the greatest growth expected in low- and middle-income countries. In Namibia, the report's ABC-DO study found significant disparities in breast cancer survival rates across racial groups, with white women at 84%, mixed-race women at 69%, and black women at 45%, linked to delays in diagnosis and treatment access.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced that Namibia has met international criteria for ending the cholera outbreak after both Grootfontein and Opuwo health districts completed more than 28 days without a confirmed case. The outbreak, declared on 27 November 2025, resulted in 82 laboratory-confirmed cases out of 282 suspected cases and one death in Opuwo district.
15 July 2026 · New Era →
The Windhoek Observer warns that children across Namibia, some as young as 10, are smoking Hubbly Bubbly, vaping, and mixing these substances with alcohol and cannabis, skipping school and financing habits through distribution; the National Council is investigating the issue, but the outlet urges that consultations must lead to meaningful action rather than reports without follow-through.
15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has declared the end of Namibia's cholera outbreak, which claimed one life and infected 82 people over nearly five months, following more than 28 consecutive days without a confirmed case in affected districts. Health experts caution that the country remains at risk unless vigilance in sanitation, surveillance, and hygiene is maintained.
15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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 →
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 →
The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported confirmed Ebola cases increasing to 1,561 with 506 deaths, involving the Bundibugyo strain for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The majority of cases remain concentrated in Ituri Province, with transmission now confirmed across multiple health zones in a complex humanitarian and security environment.
7 July 2026 · Informanté →
A heatwave sweeping Europe has been linked to more than 1,300 excess deaths since 21 June, according to WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus, with France reporting around 1,000 extra deaths since Wednesday. Record temperatures have been broken across the continent, including in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, with Tedros warning that Europe is heating at twice the global average and calling for heat health action plans.
2 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
Namibian children have limited access to safe outdoor spaces for play despite Windhoek having 32 city park facilities. Residents report that some parks are unsafe, under-maintained, or unfit for different age groups, limiting their use.
30 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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 →
The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has cleared Fabupharm Pty Ltd's paracetamol syrup for use after independent laboratory tests confirmed it met safety and quality standards. The clearance was issued in May following the product's recall last year, which came after routine inspection shortcomings were identified.
24 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Police, Namibia Breweries Limited, and the Namibian Road Safety Forum have launched a N$200,000 nationwide campaign running until January 2027 to test drivers for alcohol at nine traffic checkpoints, targeting more than 300 drivers at every roadblock as part of efforts to address drink-driving's contribution to road accidents.
20 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The health minister revealed that according to 2022 data, Namibia recorded 3,453 new cancer cases and 1,940 deaths, with projections indicating over 6,300 new cases by 2045. Key diagnoses include over 553 women annually with breast cancer, 350 with cervical cancer, and rising rates of prostate cancer and other malignancies.
19 June 2026 · New Era →
An opinion piece argues that baby abandonment reflects societal failures toward vulnerable women rather than maternal callousness, framing it as a social, economic, mental health and human dignity crisis that demands systemic prevention rather than punishment.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Southern African Development Community reaffirmed its commitment to supporting continental efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, while strengthening preparedness and response measures across the Southern African region. SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi participated in a High-Level Virtual Meeting of African Heads of State and Partners convened by the African Union to mobilise resources and coordinated action, which resulted in pledges of financial and in-kind support from African countries and development partners.
18 June 2026 · Informanté →
The South African government has dismissed a claim by WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that 10 foreign nationals were killed in anti-immigration protests, with an investigation revealing a mixture of unrelated organised crime hits and disputed death tolls in Mossel Bay.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao warned that Namibia could record more than 6 300 new cancer cases annually by 2045, an 84% increase over two decades, if urgent action is not taken to strengthen prevention, early detection and treatment services. The country recorded approximately 2 200 new cases in 2018 and 3 453 cases by 2022, with 1 940 cancer-related deaths.
9 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 →
A deadly Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has claimed at least 61 lives and resulted in 359 cases, mostly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. South Africa's Border Management Authority says it has intensified screening and surveillance measures at ports of entry, including temperature checks and travel history interviews, to prevent the virus from entering the country.
7 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Russian state-owned Rosatom, through subsidiary Headspring Investments, claims groundwater in the Stampriet Basin already contains uranium at levels approximately 300 times higher than WHO drinking water guidelines. The company awaits an independent IAEA report on its proposed in situ leaching uranium mining project in Omaheke Region, which the Namibian government has received and Cabinet is reviewing.
2 June 2026 · Informanté →
A WHO report, prepared with Stanford University experts, warns that tobacco companies are using aggressive marketing tactics—including social media, influencers, and youth-appealing branding—to drive nicotine pouch sales, particularly among adolescents, exploiting regulatory gaps with "smoke-free" claims and candy-like flavours.
1 June 2026 · Informanté →
Two of Namibia's neighbours, Angola and Zambia, are among ten African countries at risk of Ebola exposure as an outbreak spreads in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has recorded about 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths. The May 2026 outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine and mortality rates can reach up to 50 per cent.
30 May 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's health ministry confirmed there are no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases in the country, despite an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain spreading to major urban centres in the DRC and Uganda. The ministry has implemented heightened surveillance at all points of entry and is providing refresher training to frontline health workers.
23 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Walvis Bay Corridor Group has called on transporters, logistics operators, and corridor users to strengthen hygiene and sanitation measures following an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Transport and trade activities continue normally, but stakeholders are advised to ensure handwashing facilities, sanitisers, and protective equipment are available and to comply with health screening measures.
21 May 2026 · The Namibian →