Auleria Wakudumo
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MHSS) has intensified efforts to stabilise Namibia’s pharmaceutical supply chain, with a wide range of essential medicines and clinical supplies delivered to the Central Medical Stores over the past two weeks.
The ministry said the updates will now be provided monthly to ensure the public remains informed on pharmaceutical and clinical product deliveries as well as interventions aimed at improving the availability of essential medicines.
In a media release by the executive director Penda on Friday, the ministry said the country’s pharmaceutical stock service level currently stands at about 60%, below the targeted minimum of 80%.
Despite the challenges, Ithindi said that urgent procurement interventions and long-term supply measures are already showing progress.
The ministry confirmed that deliveries received between 27 April and 15 May 2026 include critical medicines for chronic illnesses, cancer treatment, surgery, HIV care, infections, maternal health and emergency care. “Among the key products received were propofol injections used in surgical procedures; hydroxyurea capsules for blood disorders; capecitabine cancer medication; HIV syrups including lamivudine and zidovudine; antibiotics such as doxycycline and ciprofloxacin; as well as blood glucose test strips and surgical gloves,” Ithindi said.
Several products received were sufficient to cover between nine and 15 months of national demand, including glycopyrrolate injections, hydroxyurea capsules, linezolid tablets, absorbent cotton wool, and wound dressing packs.
The ministry added some deliveries appeared smaller because they were intended to supplement stock already available within the system, while additional shipments are expected in batches over the coming weeks.
“Emergency and direct procurement processes are being used to quickly address shortages of essential items currently understocked or out of stock,” the statement reads.
To strengthen long-term medicine availability, the ministry has introduced a number of interventions, including pooled procurement systems, direct sourcing from manufacturers, expansion of supplier networks and improved stock monitoring systems.
MHSS is also accelerating medicine registration and clearance processes for urgently needed pharmaceutical products while strengthening inventory management and redistribution systems to ensure medicines reach facilities experiencing shortages more rapidly.
The ministry further said it is working to increase national buffer stock capacity and improve operations at the Central Medical Stores through enhanced logistics systems, stronger risk management and improved human capacity.
In addition, reforms are underway at the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council to improve operational efficiency and speed up product registration processes.
“The Ministry acknowledges the frustration and impatience felt by the public. We would like to assure the public that we are working diligently to repair the procurement system and build a new, more reliable pharmaceutical supply mechanism from the ground up,” the ministry reassured.
MHSS said monthly updates will continue to be issued to keep the public informed on medicine deliveries, stock levels and progress made in stabilising the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.