Also known as: WHO · World Health Organization
World Health Organisation — international health body providing guidance on Namibia's mental health and healthcare priorities.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on World Health Organisation
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
World Health Organisation has said there is no safe level of alcohol consumption
“Indeed, the World Health Organisation has said there is no safe level of alcohol consumption as the disadvantages, such as increased cancer risk even from light drinking, outweigh any benefits.”
Dietary must-havesNew Era
World Health Organisation (WHO) is negotiating the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system
“That is precisely why the WHO's Intergovernmental Working Group is now negotiating the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system: an annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement that will define binding rules for how pathogen materials and sequence data are shared and how providing countries are compensated.”
Opinion – Reclaiming narrative: Why Africa must own biological futureThe Namibian
World Health Organisation cited for global evidence on effectiveness of condoms showing 98% of women with male partner condom use protected from unplanned pregnancy
“Citing the World Health Organisation, she highlights global evidence on effectiveness. "Some 98% of women whose male partners use male condoms correctly over a span of one year will be protected from unplanned pregnancy, and the corresponding efficacy of female condoms stands at 95%."”
End condom stigma, adopt HIV model law — SADC Parliamentary ForumNew Era
World Health Organisation reports East Africa accounts for over two-thirds of global kala-azar cases
“East Africa generally accounts for more than two-thirds of global cases, according to the World Health Organisation.”
Kala-azar disease surges in KenyaThe Namibian
WHO says risk of Nipah virus spreading to Namibia remains low
“The risk of the deadly Nipah virus spreading to Namibia or the southern African region remains low. This follows two confirmed cases in India, World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Richard Banda says.”
Low risk of deadly Nipah virus spreading to NamibiaThe Namibian
World Health Organisation set global theme for World Leprosy Day: 'Leprosy is Curable, the Real Challenge is Stigma'
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services says the national observance will be held under the World Health Organisation global theme: 'Leprosy is Curable, the Real Challenge is Stigma.'”
Namibia to mark World Leprosy Day in Kavango West to tackle stigmaNew Era
World Health Organisation according to Namibia has 17 units per 1,000 people, above African average of seven
“This places the country at 17 units per 1 000 people, well above the African average of seven units and comparable to upper-middle-income countries such as South Africa, Brazil and China, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).”
Hidden cost of free blood …Why it costs money, donors are not paidThe Namibian
World Health Organisation (WHO) passed a resolution about stopping healthcare worker brain drain
“So serious is that matter that the World Health Organisation (WHO) even passed a resolution about it, trying to stem it, to mitigate it,”
Local training keeps African doctors in home countriesNew Era
World Health Organisation is supporting the polio immunisation campaign with the ministry
“In response, the ministry, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other stakeholders, has implemented a regional vaccination campaign targeting children from birth to 10 years.”
Nationwide polio vaccination campaign kicks off …targeting 40 000 children in KuneneThe Namibian
World Health Organisation has rejected claims about mishandling of the pandemic
“The WHO has rejected these claims and its director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the withdrawal was as a loss for the US and the world.”
US officially leaves World Health OrganizationNigeria has recorded a case of Ebola in a female patient who travelled from Uganda to Abuja. The patient, who is in isolation receiving medical care, developed symptoms four days after arriving; 44 close contacts have been identified for contact-tracing.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Nigeria has recorded a case of Ebola in a female patient who travelled from Uganda to Abuja. The patient, who is in isolation receiving medical care, developed symptoms four days after arriving; 44 close contacts have been identified for contact-tracing.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia has recorded no reported illness linked to a recalled batch of Nestlé NAN Special Pro HA infant formula, despite concerns over possible contamination with cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus. The health minister said the recall was precautionary, but warned that potential consequences could be serious because the affected population involves infants.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian education officials have urged pupils not to let "disappointing" examination results define their future, warning that academic setbacks are not the end of their educational journey. The call comes amid reported cases of pupils dying by suicide after receiving their examination results, including a Grade 12 pupil at St George's Diocesan School in January.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Hardap regional education director has confirmed that 19 learners at J & W Mouton Primary School have contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), and the education directorate is consulting with the Ministry of Health and Social Services on the matter. The affected children have been instructed to isolate at home for two weeks.
15 October 2026 · New Era →
The WHO says Namibia's newly passed mental health bill must be supported by predictable domestic financing and a costed implementation plan, particularly to shift from institutional to community-based care. WHO Namibia calls for investment in primary care teams, specialist support, medicines, and psychological services.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia recorded an estimated 4,205 new cancer cases and more than 2,000 cancer deaths in 2024, according to figures from the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed among women, while cervical cancer accounted for 18.3% of all cancers among women.
10 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Residents of Sande informal settlement in Lüderitz say communal toilets have become unusable, forcing them to use a nearby mountain instead. Local leaders have called on the town council to intervene, citing health and dignity concerns.
10 October 2026 · The Namibian →
This year's World Cerebral Palsy Day, observed on 6 October with the theme #UniqueAndUnited, highlights the varied experiences and strengths of people with the condition, which affects movement, balance and posture differently in each person. Cerebral palsy, caused by damage to a baby's brain most often before birth, can result in stiff muscles, coordination difficulties, speech delays, intellectual disabilities, seizures, and hearing or vision problems, but its effects vary widely from person to person.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has told Namibia's diplomats that international relationships must translate into jobs, investment, and opportunities for ordinary Namibians, rather than merely goodwill. In commissioning the new ambassador to Switzerland and UN Geneva, she directed diplomatic missions to support the Sixth National Development Plan through engagement in mining, energy, oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, water, fisheries, and transport and logistics.
5 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Cancer Association of Namibia chief executive Rolf Hansen says breast cancer patients should be given space to share their experiences, as diagnoses, treatment journeys and outcomes differ between individuals. Hansen noted that factors including cancer type, treatment intensity, cultural, socio-economic, religious circumstances and access to treatment shape each patient's unique journey.
4 October 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah commissioned Ms Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva, charging her to advance and protect Namibia's national interests.
2 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Heart disease affects one in three people globally and one out of five eventually die prematurely, according to the World Health Organization. World Heart Day was commemorated at Windhoek Central Hospital with awareness sessions, patient celebrations, and a heart-shaped walk to raise awareness of the preventable disease.
2 October 2026 · New Era →
The 2023 Population and Housing Census Mortality Report shows Namibian men have a life expectancy of 64 years at birth, compared to 72.7 years for women. The gap persists across all age groups except those 80 and above, with males accounting for 54.8% of the 20,822 household deaths reported in the 12 months before the census.
1 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 8,000 with 3,901 deaths recorded, making it the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak in the DRC and the second-largest globally. Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade has advised Namibian nationals to limit travel to the DRC to essential purposes only, citing the ongoing Bundibugyo virus outbreak and limited emergency consular capacity outside Kinshasa.
28 September 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services will announce an employment and placement agreement for medical interns in the first week of October, following lengthy discussions among parties involved. Minister Luvindao cited financial resources and service demand as determinants of absorption capacity and noted the ministry is coordinating with learning institutions to align student intake with demand.
27 September 2026 · Informanté →
Usakos recorded the Erongo region's highest child malnutrition incidence rate over the past three years despite recording fewer cases than larger districts, driven by widespread poverty and systemic healthcare gaps. The district's incidence rate was 7.2% in 2024, 5.3% in 2025, and 4% between January and July 2026, compared to the regional rate of 3.7%, 3.9%, and 2.5% respectively.
23 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian Police disclosed that Namibia recorded 966 suicide cases over the past two financial years—480 in 2024/25 and 486 in 2025/26, with adult men accounting for the overwhelming majority in both years. An opinion piece argues that Namibia must move beyond annual prevention messages to address systemic barriers and make mental health a priority in public policy.
19 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia marks National Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Month (10 September to 10 October 2026) with a focus on breaking stigma, encouraging help-seeking, and strengthening mental health care access. According to a WHO Namibia representative, Namibia continues to record one of the highest suicide rates in the African region, and suicide is preventable through a coordinated approach.
18 September 2026 · Informanté →
Health practitioners from the ministry of health and social services have raised concerns over medication errors from misdiagnosis, incorrect prescriptions, and poor communication between healthcare workers and patients, warning such mistakes can compromise the safety of people receiving treatment for chronic conditions. The warning comes ahead of World Patient Safety Day, which Namibia will commemorate at Windhoek Central Hospital.
16 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A toddler died of diarrhoea-related complications in Zambezi region last month, bringing child deaths under age five to 12 this year. Cases surged from 1,146 to 6,960 between 24–30 August, with 255 hospital admissions; authorities cite poor sanitation, unsafe water storage, and low vaccination coverage.
13 September 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah inaugurated Namibia's first state-owned Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at Windhoek Central Hospital, hailing it as a milestone toward equitable healthcare access regardless of socio-economic background.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has proposed amendments to tobacco control laws that would prohibit smoking in indoor public places, workplaces, and outdoor zones of 50 metres around health facilities, educational facilities, and transport terminals. The ministry says the changes are needed to address new nicotine and tobacco products and their appeal to young people, though hospitality sector owners warn the restrictions could harm their businesses.
9 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Erongo governor Nathalia |Goagoses urged businesses to stop selling tobacco products and called for stronger laws to protect children and young people from tobacco and nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes and vaping products. She stressed that law enforcement needs stronger powers to prosecute offenders and that legislation alone will not be enough, requiring cooperation.
8 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia has recorded 122 malaria deaths and 122,612 confirmed cases so far this year, with the government preparing to spray 1.2 million households in malaria-prone regions. The health minister announced that 99,078 cases were contracted locally while 23,354 were imported, and Kavango East region accounts for 30.6% of cases.
6 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's government has rejected a US proposal for health data and specimen-sharing worth over N$145 million per year for HIV and tuberculosis programmes, citing sovereignty and privacy violations. The US withdrew the biological specimen component in November 2025, though data-sharing negotiations continue.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia and the US are negotiating new health sector funding to determine the future of HIV financing in the country, with negotiations intensifying since US President Donald Trump's return to power and the dismantling of USAID. The talks are contentious over data-sharing provisions, with recipient countries concerned that deals tie health aid to data access and critical minerals, though a US government source claims negotiations do not include sharing of personally identifiable data.
30 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia National Olympic Committee president presented a speech at the fourth Namibia Oil and Gas Conference advocating sport as a vehicle for employment and youth development, citing national unemployment at 36.9% and youth unemployment at approximately 44%.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian men are being urged to speak more openly about mental illness and suicidal thoughts, as cultural expectations of silent endurance contribute to a national social crisis. According to the Ministry of Health and Social Services, 542 suicides were recorded in the 2023/24 financial year, with 449 being men—more than 82% of all reported suicide deaths.
24 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Diabetes patients in Namibia are finding it harder to obtain some medicines as shortages occur and more people use diabetes drugs for weight loss. The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council recently warned of an increase in unauthorised GLP-1 and peptide medicines being sold on social media for weight loss.
23 August 2026 · The Namibian →
World Health Organisation director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and praised her efforts reforming Namibia's health sector and improving patient care, particularly her unannounced hospital visits to assess actual conditions.
21 August 2026 · New Era →