World Health Organisation — international health body that declares disease emergencies, issues public health guidance, and works with countries on disease prevention and health monitoring.
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April 2026
The Namibian
World Health Organisationsaidoutbreak in 2006 was likely due to immunity gaps among inadequately vaccinated adults
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“The World Health Organisation at the time said the outbreak was likely due to immunity gaps among adults who were inadequately vaccinated during childhood.”
World Health Organisationestimatesglobal shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030
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“The World Health Organisation estimates a global shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030, with Africa predicted to face shortages ranging from five to six million workers.”
World Health Organisationnotedopen dumpsites expose communities to serious health risks including toxic air pollution
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“According to the World Health Organization, open dumpsites and poorly managed waste sites expose nearby communities and informal workers to serious health risks, including toxic air pollution from burning waste and an increased risk of respiratory and infectious diseases.”
WHOsuspendedmedical evacuations from Gaza to Egypt after security incident
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“The WHO has suspended medical evacuations from Gaza to Egypt after a "security incident" left a contract worker dead, with Israel yesterday saying its soldiers opened fire while facing "an immediate threat".”
World Health Organisationhas reiteratedits call for governments, scientists, health workers, partners, and the public to stand with science to protect lives, rebuild trust, and secure a healthier future
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“The World Health Organisation has reiterated its call for governments, scientists, health workers, partners, and the public to stand with science to protect lives, rebuild trust, and secure a healthier future.”
World Health Organisation (WHO)saysoral diseases are among the most common non-communicable diseases and affect estimated 3.5 billion people globally
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“The World Health Organisation (WHO) says oral diseases are among the most common non-communicable diseases worldwide and are largely preventable, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people globally.”
World Health Organisationsaysactual road traffic deaths in Bangladesh are far higher than reported figures, at more than 31,500
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“The World Health Organisation says that while reported road traffic fatalities in Bangladesh are around 5 000 a year, it estimates that actual deaths are far higher, at more than 31 500, according to figures from 2023.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A body was discovered at Windhoek's Gammams Water Care Works facility on Sunday, prompting the Residents and Ratepayers Association to demand laboratory results on tap water safety. The Windhoek Municipality has assured the public that the city's water is safe, noting the body was found at the initial screening stage of the treatment process.
Namibia is strengthening its medicine safety systems as African countries push for closer regulatory cooperation through the African Medicines Agency to address concerns over counterfeit medicines and weak reporting systems for medicine side effects. The Ministry of Health and Social Services says stronger cooperation between African regulators would help countries respond faster to harmful medicines, improve monitoring of side effects and reduce dependence on foreign regulatory systems.
A report launched during UN Global Road Safety Week found that more than 70% of daily travel among low-income households in Namibia depends on walking and cycling, but major gaps exist in infrastructure, funding and policies supporting pedestrians and cyclists. Namibia recorded more than 1,000 motor vehicle crashes during the first four months of 2026, resulting in 179 deaths and over 1,700 injuries.
Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services and the WHO marked World Hypertension Day on 17 May, calling on the public to prioritise regular blood pressure checks and healthy lifestyles. The ministry urged monitoring blood pressure, reducing salt intake, exercising, and taking prescribed medication, warning that uncontrolled hypertension can lead to stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
The World Health Organisation has declared an Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's Ituri province—caused by the Bundibugyo virus, with 246 suspected cases and 80 reported deaths—a public health emergency of international concern. The outbreak has spread to Uganda, with two confirmed cases reported there, and the WHO warns of potential for larger spread despite no approved drugs or vaccines for this strain.
Former First Lady Monica Geingos has been appointed Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), the world's largest alliance focused on the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents. She succeeds former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, whose tenure ends in November 2026.
World Health Organization country representative Dr Richard Banda called for urgent investment in safer walking and cycling infrastructure, stating that road crashes continue to claim lives and leave many with permanent injuries in Namibia and across Africa. He said pedestrians and cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users due to poor infrastructure and unsafe conditions, and called for stronger law enforcement, lower speed limits in pedestrian areas, and improved emergency response systems.
Monica Geingos has been appointed board chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the world's largest alliance focused on maternal, newborn and child health, succeeding former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark when her term ends in November 2026. The alliance, hosted by the WHO in Geneva, brings together nearly 1,500 partner organisations working on maternal, child and adolescent health.
The Namibian reports that 15 people died on roads during a long weekend, bringing the year-to-date toll to 170 by 3 May, with the MVA Fund recording 921 crashes, 1,467 injuries, and 143 fatalities from January to 26 April. The editorial argues road crashes constitute a persistent national crisis requiring immediate action, citing WHO data showing Namibia recorded about 423 fatalities in 2023 at a rate of 14 per 100,000 population.
The Namibian government has assured the nation that the country remains vigilant and prepared amid global hantavirus concerns, with the Ministry of Health and Social Services stating that Namibia has not recorded any confirmed cases but is actively monitoring developments at global and regional levels through coordination with local and international partners.
Namibia has not recorded any hantavirus cases, but health authorities are closely monitoring the global and regional situation and urging the public to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing symptoms, especially after rodent exposure or travel to affected regions. As of 6 May, eight cases including three deaths have been reported globally, five confirmed as the Andes strain, the only hantavirus strain known to allow limited human-to-human transmission.
The Ministry of Health's Executive Director confirmed that Namibia has not reported any Hantavirus cases, though the ministry is monitoring the global and regional situation. The statement follows reports of a Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship that travelled from Argentina to Cabo Verde, with five confirmed cases and three suspected as of 6 May 2026.
Namibia has not recorded any cases of Hantavirus despite a recent outbreak on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic that has resulted in eight reported cases, including three deaths. The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it is closely monitoring the global and regional situation and has put precautionary measures in place.
Three passengers have died and four others medically evacuated from a cruise ship that sailed from Argentina a month ago carrying the Andes strain of hantavirus. Health authorities are tracing potentially exposed passengers who have travelled to countries including the UK, South Africa, the Netherlands, the US and Switzerland, but WHO stress the risk to the general public remains low.
Around 150 people from 23 countries are stranded on the MV Hondius in the Atlantic near Cape Verde after three confirmed and five suspected hantavirus cases were identified on board. Three passengers have died, and the WHO says three suspected hantavirus patients have been evacuated to The Netherlands for medical care.
Three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, with two cases confirmed so far and two crew members presenting with respiratory symptoms. Hantavirus is a virus strain carried by rodents, primarily transmitted to humans through inhalation of airborne particles from dried rodent droppings, with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome having an approximate 38% mortality rate when respiratory symptoms develop.
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 World Health Organisation has prequalified artemether/lumefantrine, the first antimalarial drug formulation specifically designed for infants weighing two to five kilogrammes. The move addresses a long-standing treatment gap affecting about 30 million babies born annually in malaria-endemic parts of Africa, as infants have previously been treated with medicines intended for older children.
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.
Japan, the UN, and global partners have launched major investments to strengthen Namibia's health system, including three key projects focused on emergency preparedness, disease prevention, and diagnostic capacity. The initiatives, valued at approximately N$18.4 million, will benefit more than 118,000 people across eight hospitals and vulnerable regions including Kunene, Omusati, and Otjozondjupa.
Lydia Eloff, a University of Namibia PhD candidate in malaria genomics, has identified molecular markers associated with drug resistance in Namibia using genomic tools. Her research, which won the Best Student Researcher Award, is informing national surveillance efforts and therapeutic efficacy studies as the country experiences rising malaria cases, particularly in northeastern regions.
A health education researcher argues that the migration of healthcare workers from poorer to wealthier countries is not simply driven by individual choice, but is shaped by colonial legacies and global inequality. Solutions require African governments to invest in local retention and working conditions, while high-income countries must reduce reliance on international recruitment and reform global knowledge hierarchies that devalue non-Western expertise.
A controlled landfill in Walvis Bay has transformed into an informal settlement housing over 100 shacks and more than 300 people, with residents reporting illegal tyre burning, undercover prostitution, domestic violence, and drug activity. The situation raises serious environmental and health concerns for surrounding communities, prompting authorities to engage stakeholders on de-proclaiming the portion within Dorob National Park to enable better municipal management.