AGP Executive Report

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Response: Namibia has confirmed FMD in the //Kharas region, with 17 positive samples from 199 during intensified surveillance, and authorities say cases remain confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District while a 14-day incubation period is still running. Trade & Food Impacts: Meatco has suspended beef exports and Windhoek has halted meat permits and slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals, with nationwide restrictions on movement, marketing, slaughter and trade—leaving kapana sellers and families preparing for weddings and funerals facing uncertainty. Public Health & Safety Measures: The Ministry of Agriculture is tightening roadblocks and controls on cloven-hoofed animals and raw products, urging calm compliance and reliance on verified information as surveillance continues. Health System Staffing: The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it will announce an agreement on the employment and placement of medical interns in the first week of October, citing absorption limits tied to available resources and service demand. Access to Care & Infrastructure: Kavango West received newly built sanitation facilities for four clinics and one health centre under the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme. Disability Rights: Namibia’s deaf community is calling for stronger recognition of sign language and equal access to education, jobs, healthcare and public services.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Response: Namibia confirmed 17 positive FMD cases out of 199 samples in the Karasburg State Veterinary District, with traceability showing four cattle moved to Otjozondjupa Region but follow-up samples testing negative; authorities say all positives remain confined to Karasburg while strict monitoring continues. Trade & Food Impact: Meatco suspended beef exports and the City of Windhoek halted meat permits and slaughtering of cloven-hoofed animals, with nationwide movement, marketing and trade restrictions and roadblocks tightening control—leaving kapana sellers and families preparing for weddings and funerals facing uncertainty. Health System Capacity: The Health Ministry said it cannot automatically absorb all unemployed medical interns and practitioners due to limited resources, linking intake to funding and service demand; it also responded to calls for stronger trauma centres in public hospitals. Water, Sanitation & Clinics: Kavango West received newly built sanitation facilities for four clinics and one health centre under the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme, supported by the African Development Bank. Access & Inclusion: Namibia’s deaf community marched for equal access to education, healthcare and public services, calling for more interpreters and teacher assistants. Labour & Public Health Planning: A new Namibia Labour Market Information System aims to improve data for employment and decent work monitoring, including income and working conditions.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) response: Namibia has confirmed FMD in its long FMD-free commercial livestock zone, triggering a nationwide ban on livestock movement and meat exports, with 17 of 199 samples positive and all positives confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District in ǁKharas. Trade and food impacts: Meatco suspended beef exports, while Windhoek suspended meat permits and slaughtering of cloven-hoofed animals, including at informal markets and social events—leaving kapana sellers and families preparing for weddings and funerals facing uncertainty. Local enforcement: Roadblocks and tighter controls are being stepped up to stop movement of cloven-hoofed animals and raw products, with authorities warning the public not to transport meat without proper proof of purchase. Health system capacity: The Health Ministry says it cannot automatically absorb all unemployed medical interns due to resource limits, linking intake to demand and funding. Access and inclusion: Namibia’s deaf community is calling for equal access to sign language in education, healthcare and public services. Public health promotion: NBC and the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust expand collaboration to boost fish consumption and nutrition messaging.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Response: Namibia confirmed FMD cases in its internationally recognised disease-free zone near Karasburg, triggering nationwide restrictions on movement, slaughter, imports/exports and beef trade—Windhoek suspended meat permits and slaughter, Meatco halted beef exports, and the Windhoek Agricultural Show cancelled its livestock exhibition while Grootfontein’s show continued with livestock sent back to farms. Public health & food access: While FMD is not known to infect humans through meat, the outbreak is already disrupting supplies and livelihoods, with retailers reporting meat shortages and communities facing uncertainty. Livelihood pressure: Police arrested a man transporting slaughtered cattle amid stock-theft concerns as controls tighten. Disability rights: Namibia’s deaf community marched for equal access to sign-language recognition across education, jobs, healthcare and public services. Health system infrastructure: Five Kavango West facilities received new sanitation facilities under a major water and sanitation programme, linking cleaner services to better patient conditions. Health policy & benefits: The Social Security Commission clarified Namibia’s N$20,000 maternity benefit is a ceiling (based on basic salary), effective 1 October 2026. Global health funding watch: The U.S. says it will end health funding to Zimbabwe at month-end after a breakdown over sharing sensitive health data. Wellness & prevention: Namibia’s TAFISA Walk for Life returns in Windhoek under “One Health” messaging to boost active lifestyles.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Shock: Namibia confirmed FMD in its internationally recognised disease-free zone, triggering nationwide suspension of movement, marketing, trade, slaughter (export and local abattoirs, informal markets and social events) and imports/exports of cloven-hoofed animals and products, with roadblocks and tighter controls now in place; Windhoek Impact: the City of Windhoek immediately suspended meat permits and halted slaughter activities; Livestock Trade Disruption: livestock auctions and show livestock exhibitions are being cancelled or postponed, including the Windhoek Agricultural Show livestock component and livestock-related activities at other events; Public Health & Community Angle: while FMD doesn’t typically infect humans, the outbreak is already affecting red meat availability and prices as retailers report depleted stocks and processors adjust supply; Maternity Benefit Clarified: the Social Security Commission clarified Namibia’s N$20,000 maternity benefit is a ceiling, not a flat payment, effective 1 October 2026; Preventive Wellness Push: Namibia Sports Commission’s TAFISA Walk for Life returns to Windhoek under “One Namibia, One Nation, One Health, Every Step Counts”; Mental Health Reminder: a Suicide Prevention Awareness Month opinion piece urges people to notice “the people who seem fine,” stressing that pain can be hidden.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Shock: Namibia has confirmed FMD in its WOAH-recognised FMD-free zone in the //Kharas Region, with 10 of 11 cattle samples testing positive, triggering nationwide suspension of movement, marketing, trade, imports/exports and slaughter controls for cloven-hoofed animals and their products, plus roadblocks and intensified surveillance. Livestock Industry Disruption: The outbreak has already led to cancellations and postponements, including livestock auctions and the Windhoek Agricultural Show’s livestock exhibition of 500+ animals, while authorities also plan to divide the FMD-free zone into smaller protected areas. Preventive Health Push: Namibia Health Plan (NHP) expands its fitness facility network from 2 to 11, aiming to lower cost barriers so more people can exercise regularly as part of preventive healthcare. Child Health Upgrade: Windhoek Central Hospital has inaugurated Namibia’s first dedicated public paediatric ICU, backed by about N$28m, with isolation capacity and modern equipment to cut child ICU deaths. Deaf Rights in Practice: NOYD calls for real-world access to Namibian Sign Language in education, healthcare, justice and work, warning that interpreter shortages still block essential services.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Response: Namibia has confirmed FMD in the Karasburg State Veterinary District in the //Kharas region, with 10 of 11 cattle samples testing positive, triggering nationwide suspension of movement, marketing, trade, import/export and transit of cloven-hoofed animals and their products, plus halted slaughter and cancelled livestock auctions. Paediatric Care Upgrade: Namibia inaugurated its first dedicated public paediatric ICU at Windhoek Central Hospital, funded by about N$28 million, aiming to cut child ICU deaths to below 2.5% with improved oxygen systems, monitors and ventilators. Malaria Update: Kavango West recorded a rise in malaria cases to 24,360 from January to September 2026, though malaria deaths dropped to three, with officials urging stronger indoor residual spraying and community cooperation. Public Health Access: Namibia is urged to set up a national poison control centre, as poisoning mortality remains a concern and only 47% of WHO member states have such centres. Health Equity & Inclusion: Namibia marks International Day of Sign Languages with calls to make Namibian Sign Language access real in healthcare, justice and education by funding and professionalising interpreters. Education for Health-Tech Skills: YYeni AI labs were handed over in Lüderitz to support school learning with faster feedback for learners and clearer teaching insights.

Foot-and-mouth disease: Namibia confirmed FMD at a commercial farm in the ǁKharas Region, including 10 positive cattle samples, and immediately suspended movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products, plus halted imports and exports. Paediatric care: Windhoek Central Hospital inaugurated Namibia’s first dedicated public paediatric ICU, funded with about N$28 million, aiming to cut child ICU deaths to below 2.5%. HIV prevention: Kavango East launched a campaign for the newly introduced PrEP injection, targeting about 200 people in risk groups. Malaria: Kavango West reported malaria cases rising to 24,360 from January–September (up 2,360 from last year) while deaths fell to three. Public health & environment: Windhoek residents demanded improved waste management as illegal dumping and uncollected refuse threaten health; Karibib also faces a mosquito surge linked to leaking sewage pipes. Disability rights: NOYD urged Namibia to make deaf rights real in healthcare, education, justice and information, citing interpreter shortages. Workplace policy: Unions renewed calls for statutory paternity leave as maternity and other Social Security Commission benefits increase from 1 October.

Mosquito-borne risk in Karibib: Leaking sewage pipes are driving a sharp rise in mosquitoes, disrupting daily life and pushing residents to keep doors shut and cover up. HIV prevention update (Kavango East): The region launched a campaign for the new PrEP injection, targeting about 200 HIV-negative people in risk groups to improve prevention options beyond daily pills. Patient safety and access: Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services inaugurated a N$28m Paediatric ICU at Windhoek Central Hospital to cut child mortality, while another report highlights Mariental District Hospital oxygen plant failures and rising diarrhoea deaths in Zambezi. Medical aid reassurance (NHP): Namibia Health Plan says benefits and contributions will stay unchanged as FIMA reshapes medical aid governance, with only operational changes expected. Child health fundraising: A two-year-old boy with leukaemia, Ethan, inspired an 8,000km road-trip fundraiser that has already raised most of the target. Community health & wellbeing: Namibia relaunches its Cleanup Namibia campaign, linking cleaner environments to public health. Justice and health impacts: A Rehoboth man convicted of strangling his former partner under domestic violence law underscores ongoing risks to victims’ safety.

Paediatric care boost: Namibia inaugurated a N$28m Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Windhoek Central Hospital, aiming to cut neonatal and under-five deaths and strengthen critical care. HIV prevention update: Kavango East launched a campaign for the new PrEP injection, targeting about 200 HIV-negative people in risk groups with clinic-based testing and follow-up dosing. Medical aid reassurance: Namibia Health Plan (NHP) told members benefits and contributions will stay unchanged as FIMA reshapes medical aid governance and claims processes. Patient safety push: MoHSS marked World Patient Safety Day by calling for a “no name, no blame, no shame” culture so health workers report mistakes and near misses without fear. Health service delivery concerns: IPC raised alarms over Mariental District Hospital’s oxygen plant failure and reported diarrhoea deaths in Zambezi, urging answers on timelines and patient transfers. Community nutrition focus: Nafsan will host a 22–24 Sept dialogue on nutrition and malnutrition progress, tackling the “triple burden” of undernutrition plus rising overweight and obesity. Identity for health access: Home Affairs called for national identity coverage from birth to support health, education, justice and social protection. Workforce rights: LPM urged a parliamentary probe into security guards’ wages, safety and social protection. Climate misinformation: DW Akademie highlighted how climate disinformation is used to delay action, including projects in Namibia.

Paediatric care boost: Namibia inaugurated a N$28m Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Windhoek Central Hospital to cut neonatal and under-five deaths, as the MoHSS pushes its RMNCAH strategy and community health worker expansion. Health service pressure: IPC says Mariental District Hospital’s oxygen-generation plant has been down since 30 July, with reports of asthma and other respiratory patients dying when oxygen was unavailable, and also flags a diarrhoea surge in Zambezi. Patient safety culture: The MoHSS called for a “no name, no blame, no shame” approach so health workers can report mistakes and near misses without fear. Malnutrition dialogue: Nafsan will host a 22–24 Sept nutrition for growth dialogue in Windhoek to track progress on Namibia’s malnutrition commitments amid a “triple burden” of undernutrition, overweight and obesity. Medication access crisis: A Windhoek man with epilepsy, asthma and HIV says he can’t take medication without food and is appealing for help after fainting and hospital stays without support. Water and health risk: NamWater announced phased water cuts in Usakos from 21 Sept to 9 Oct, urging contingency planning. Community health & hygiene: World Cleanup Day relaunch in Windhoek linked poor waste management to rising baboon presence near homes, warning of risks to vulnerable people. Local health system capacity: A UCT study found one in seven hospital patients across Africa experiences severe pain, highlighting a major gap in acute pain care. Climate info integrity: DW Akademie reports efforts in Namibia to fight climate disinformation that can harm health, food and livelihoods.

Paediatric care boost: Namibia inaugurated a N$28 million Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Windhoek Central Hospital to cut neonatal and under-five deaths, with the ministry citing progress from 2022–2026 and renewed focus on community health workers. Patient safety push: MoHSS called for a “no name, no blame, no shame” culture at World Patient Safety Day, urging staff to report mistakes and near misses to learn and improve care. Medication access crisis: A 28-year-old man living with epilepsy, asthma and HIV says he can’t take his medication without food and has been left struggling after fainting and hospital delays. Road safety concern: The National Council warns road accidents are rising, with 2026 already showing far more crashes and fatal incidents than 2024–2025, pointing to speeding, reckless driving, alcohol impairment and fatigue. Water disruption in Usakos: NamWater announced phased water reductions and a full suspension from 21 Sept to 9 Oct due to unpaid accounts, urging contingency planning. Identity for health and services: Deputy Minister Edward Wambo says legal identity from birth underpins health, education, social protection and justice, with plans to extend access nationwide. Social worker staffing gap: Parliament heard only 23 of 55 planned social worker posts were filled, leaving rural areas underserved. Clean-up and public health: Namibia relaunched the National Clean-up Campaign, linking poor waste management to disease risks and increased baboon sightings in Windhoek. Local health policy: NaCC approved 19 mergers, including conditional approval for pharmaceutical wholesale to protect fair medicine supply and pricing.

Uranium & local benefits: Namibia’s Etango project near Swakopmund is under fresh pressure to do more for Namibian businesses and communities, with the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy urging stronger local procurement, skills training, and community projects—while also stressing responsible operations in an environmentally sensitive area. Hospital pain in Africa: A UCT-led study reports that 1 in 7 hospital patients across Africa suffer severe pain, with nearly two-thirds experiencing some pain—highlighting an urgent patient-safety and care-quality gap. Mental health push: Namibia marks National Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Month (10 Sep–10 Oct), urging people to break stigma, start conversations, and use counselling and support services. Clean-up & public health: Windhoek’s National Clean-up Campaign relaunch links poor waste management to health risks and rising baboon activity in residential areas. Youth wellness support: AIMS hosted a sports day to promote healthier lifestyles, while UNAM Katima Campus ran a wellness engagement focused on mental health and healthy boundaries. Social services staffing strain: Parliament hears only 23 of 55 planned social worker posts were filled, leaving rural areas underserved. Traditional medicine law stalled: Namibia’s Traditional Healers’ Practitioners Bill still isn’t passed, leaving healers operating without registration or patient protections.

Missing Persons & Safety: South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy and his fixer Kooki Mahmoud have gone missing in Djibouti, with colleagues urging authorities to confirm their whereabouts and well-being. Clean Environment & Public Health: Namibia re-launched its National Clean-up Campaign, with Windhoek residents and youth groups clearing illegal dumping sites—linked to disease risk and pressure on municipal services. Youth Mental Health Support: In Windhoek, the Victory Youth Group held a Youth MegaHelp event offering free counselling and using role plays and performances to tackle mental health, gender-based violence and suicide. Suicide Prevention Focus: Namibia marks Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Month (10 Sept–10 Oct), urging people to start conversations, listen without judgement, and use counselling and social support. Health System Workforce: Namibia’s gender ministry says only 23 of 55 social worker posts were filled in 2025/26, citing too few qualified graduates and difficulty staffing rural areas. Traditional Medicine Policy Gap: BRICS backs traditional medicine globally, but Namibia’s Traditional Healers’ Practitioners Bill has still not been passed, leaving healers and patients without clear protection. HIV Funding Transition: Namibia’s HIV response faces pressure as US support phases out; the government says it already funds ARVs, but experts warn prevention and broader services need sustained backing. Community Wellness at UNAM: UNAM Katima Campus concluded a student wellness programme covering mental health, wellbeing and healthy boundaries. Youth Skills & Opportunity: Namibia’s young competitors are set for WorldSkills in Shanghai, highlighting vocational training as a route to jobs and livelihoods.

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: Namibia marks Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Month (10 Sept–10 Oct) with a push to break stigma, start conversations, and strengthen access to counselling and support, as officials warn suicide remains a serious, preventable public health concern. Health Workforce Shortage: The Gender ministry says only 23 of 55 targeted social worker posts were filled in 2025/26, citing too few qualified graduates and a preference for urban placements, leaving rural areas underserved. University Wellness: UNAM Katima Campus wrapped up a two-day student wellness programme focused on mental health, personal development, and healthy boundaries, with separate sessions for male and female students. Patient Safety & Care Access: Mariental State Hospital is operating on oxygen cylinders while repairs continue on its main oxygen plant after intermittent shortages and an explosion in June, with a longer-term solution underway. Traditional Medicine Regulation: Namibia’s Traditional Healers’ Practitioners Bill still hasn’t passed after 12 years, leaving traditional healers in a regulatory vacuum with no registration or patient protections. Youth & Violence Prevention: A community activist calls for earlier, ongoing support for boy children after a stabbing death in Mondesa, urging families and communities to build emotional and decision-making guidance from a young age.

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: Namibia marks Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Month (10 Sept–10 Oct) with a push to break stigma, start conversations, and improve access to counselling and support, as WHO Namibia highlights suicide as a preventable outcome of mental distress. Patient Safety: World Patient Safety Day was commemorated at Windhoek Central Hospital, focusing on “Safe Care for Non-communicable Diseases” and urging health workers to report incidents, learn from near misses, and strengthen safe medication and care practices. Local Wellness at UNAM: UNAM Katima Mulilo wrapped up a two-day student wellness programme for male and female students, covering mental health, personal development, and healthy boundaries. HIV Funding Pressure: Namibia’s HIV response faces a major shift as US direct funding phases out; the government says it already funds 100% of ARVs, but experts warn continuity depends on more than medicines. Health Infrastructure: Mariental State Hospital is using oxygen cylinders while repairs continue on its oxygen plant after intermittent shortages since June. Traditional Medicine Policy Gap: BRICS backs traditional medicine globally, but Namibia’s Traditional Healers’ Practitioners Bill still hasn’t passed—leaving healers in a regulatory vacuum. Gender & Health Equity: Morocco ranks 139th out of 145 in the WEF Global Gender Gap Report, with major gaps in economic participation and literacy that can affect health outcomes. Community Support: Bank Windhoek invested over N$21 million in community development, including youth skills and support through the Capricorn Foundation.