The Namibian government has committed N$185 million to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) to recruit 1 537 additional healthcare professionals, in a major effort to boost the country’s medical workforce and address long-standing staff shortages across public health facilities.
Finance minister Ericah Shafudah announced the allocation during the tabling of the 2025/26 mid-year budget review, noting that the recruitment drive forms part of a broader six-year human resources expansion plan worth N$4.5 billion.
The plan seeks to fill 11 742 new positions that were approved earlier this year, with the majority of posts targeting technical specialists in critical fields such as paediatrics, obstetrics, surgery, internal medicine, and anaesthesiology. Priority will be given to underserved regions that face persistent shortages of qualified personnel.
“A total of N$185 million was added to the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ recruitment budget for 1 537 health personnel,” Shafudah confirmed.
In addition to personnel expansion, the minister reported notable progress on several hospital renovation and upgrade projects across the country.
At Onandjokwe District Hospital, Phase A of the upgrading project — which includes the construction of maternity and paediatric wards — is now 85% complete, with all specialist subcontractors on site. However, Shafudah said the project’s final completion has been slightly delayed due to the late supply of air-conditioning ducting. The hospital is expected to be fully completed by 20 October 2025.
Meanwhile, design and documentation for the renovation of the main entrance and parking area are still underway.
At Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, the construction of a new Intensive Care Unit (ICU), along with electrical and electronic installations and the renovation of Ward 2 (Ophthalmology), has been completed marking significant progress in modernizing the northern referral hospital.
Renovations at Katutura Intermediate Hospital are also continuing, with the installation of a new oxygen-generating system currently in progress. The upgrade is expected to strengthen the facility’s emergency and intensive care capabilities.
The government says these investments are part of its broader commitment to improving healthcare delivery, expanding access to quality medical services, and strengthening the country’s readiness for public health emergencies.
