Rudolf Gaiseb

Popular Democratic Movement legislator Winnie Moongo on Tuesday questioned education minister Sanet Steenkamp regarding the University of Namibia’s implementation of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health programme without obtaining approval from the Health Professions Council of Namibia.

“It raises serious concerns about governance, regulatory compliance and accountability in our higher education system,” she said as she gave notice of her questions for 2 October 2025.

She reported that over 200 graduates are currently unable to find employment due to institutional oversight failures.

“It appears that this programme may have been launched and sustained without the necessary approval from the Health Professions Council of Namibia,” she emphasised.

The Health Professions Act No. 16 of 2024 stipulates that, despite any other contrary law, “an educational institution in Namibia that intends to provide an education that enables a student to obtain a prescribed qualification and practise any profession to which this Act applies must … apply for the approval of the education that the applicant intends to provide”. 

This ensures that education meets the necessary standards for students to obtain qualifications and practice professions recognised under the Act.

Moongo also questioned the ministry on its plans to address the employment challenges facing these students.

“The students are unable to register with the Health Professions Council of Namibia and, therefore, cannot secure positions within government health institutions,” she added.

The students enrolled in the programme benefitted from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund loans.
Moongo seeks clarification on what measures exist to recover or waive these loans to protect the affected students.

-rrgaiseb@gmail.com