Medicine shortages persist at Namibia's public health facilities, despite efforts to improve procurement. The Central Medical Stores previously recorded supply levels below 60%, against a national target of 80%. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has acknowledged the issue, stating that distribution remains a concern. She made the remarks during a town hall meeting in Swakopmund, where a resident questioned whether the government was running out of money, given continued shortages of essential medicines.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah said procurement had improved compared to the situation before her administration, but distribution remained a problem. She is investigating complaints that medicines are failing to reach hospitals and clinics, including possible deliberate interference within the pharmaceutical supply chain. The President has not ruled out sabotage, saying she is working to determine whether the shortages are linked to individuals seeking to undermine the government.
Significant allocations have been made towards pharmaceutical procurement. In September 2025, Health Minister Esperance Luvindao told parliament that N$1.89 billion had been allocated for pharmaceutical and clinical supplies for the 2025/26 financial year. However, the Central Medical Stores recorded service levels below 57% over the preceding two financial years, against the ministry's minimum target of 80%.
By May 2026, the ministry reported an improvement to 60%, although several essential medicines remained understocked or unavailable at public health facilities. The service-level figure measures the quantity of supplies delivered against the quantity ordered by health facilities. This means improvements in the national average do not necessarily translate into the availability of every medicine at individual hospitals.
Investigations are underway into alleged irregularities within the pharmaceutical supply chain. In April 2026, the health ministry announced an internal investigation into suspected fraud at the Central Medical Stores, including allegations that employees manipulated stock records, stole and diverted pharmaceutical supplies. Some employees implicated in the allegations were reassigned from their duties at the stores pending investigations.
The government is exploring technology to track medicines from the point of arrival until they reach their intended destinations. Nandi-Ndaitwah said some officials were already under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission, while others had been transferred. The ministry plans to introduce barcode tracking systems to monitor medicines from central storage to patients at health facilities.
The President's administration is working to address the medicine shortages and alleged sabotage. Key steps include improving distribution, investigating suspected fraud and theft, and implementing technology to track medicines. The government aims to ensure a stable supply of essential medicines to public health facilities, addressing concerns from residents and healthcare professionals.
Key points
- President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is investigating suspected supply-chain sabotage and alleged irregularities within the pharmaceutical supply chain.
- The Central Medical Stores previously recorded supply levels below 60%, against a national target of 80%.
- The government has allocated significant funds towards pharmaceutical procurement, including N$1.89 billion for the 2025/26 financial year.
