Namibia News

Windhoek ‒ Andra Chigova, a 10-year-old girl from Windhoek, Namibia, is encouraging other girls to get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes most cervical cancers. “I just got my HPV vaccination today. Do not be scared ‒ the HPV vaccine will protect us in the future against cervical cancer,” she says.  

Strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) remains a key priority in Namibia, with several stakeholders actively supporting efforts to improve the accuracy and completeness of Mortality and Causes of Death data. Reliable mortality data is essential for understanding the country’s health profile, monitoring progress toward national and global health targets, and guiding evidence-based policy decisions.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) with technical support from WHO conducted a four-day orientation workshop of International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFPs) from 17 – 20 June 2025 in Swakopmund. The workshop aimed to strengthen NFPs understanding of the IHR (2005), their roles and responsibilities, and coordinating timely reporting and communication of potential public health events of international concern.

Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are major causes of death and illness in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They significantly contribute to non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and liver conditions. Tobacco use in Namibia is estimated to be 13.2% in 2025 for people aged 15 years and older, a slight decline from 14.9% in 2022, against a global average of 19.8%.

From 21 to 23 July 2025, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted Namibia’s first-ever Early Action Review (EAR) for the cholera outbreak in Opuwo. This review followed the declaration of a cholera outbreak in Opuwo Health District, Kunene Region on 19 June 2025. In response, it became essential for stakeholders to coordinate efforts to contain the spread of the disease and mitigate its impact on affected communities.

From 15 - 18 July 2025, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a series of Path-To-Elimination (PTE) workshops in Ondangwa and Windhoek. The workshops brought together stakeholders from all 14 regions, aiming to guide and support the integration of PTE activities into routine Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services. The workshops marked a critical step in sustaining progress and ensuring that elimination goals are embedded in routine service delivery across all regions.

On 13 June 2025, Namibia commemorated the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) in Outjo, Kunene region. The event was commemorated under the theme “Unmasking the appeal”. This year’s WNTD campaign aims to reveal the strategies employed by the tobacco and nicotine industries to make their harmful products enticing, particularly to young people. By exposing these tactics, WHO seeks to drive awareness, advocate for stronger policies, including a ban on flavours that make tobacco and nicotine products more appealing, and protect public health.

As the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) moves closer to achieving the global goal of wild poliovirus (WPV) eradication, maintaining sensitive surveillance systems becomes increasingly critical. These systems are essential for confirming the absence of poliovirus circulation, particularly in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region, where polio free countries need sustained high-quality surveillance to ensure they remain free of WPV and other poliovirus variants.

The Business Management System (BMS) is a comprehensive suite of tools designed to support the planning and implementation of organizational policies, practices, guidelines, processes, and procedures. It facilitates the development, deployment, and execution of business strategies and related management activities. To prepare for the upcoming rollout of BMS, each country office was tasked with conducting a User Experience (UX) Lab to familiarize staff with the new system.

From 21 to 23 May 2025, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology (AT) Technical Working Group and other partners, convened a national workshop in Windhoek to develop the country’s first National Rehabilitation and AT Strategic Plan. The workshop focused on reviewing the findings of the recent situation assessment and confirming strategic priorities to address identified country-specific gaps effectively.