Medicine shortages give president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah sleepless nights

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says reports of medicine shortages at public hospitals are giving her “sleepless nights”. She was speaking during a tour of the pharmaceutical manufacturing company Fabupharm at Otjiwarongo yesterday, where she engaged with the company’s management and health officials on local medicine production. “If there’s one thing that gives me sleepless nights, it’s when I’m hearing there is no medicine at our hospitals,”

Nandi-Ndaitwah said. These concerns come amid mounting criticism from medical doctors, who say shortages of essential medicine continue despite government reports indicating that national stock levels stand at about 60%. Doctors who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation this week told The Namibian patients are still being turned away or left without treatment at several hospitals.

The president said the government remains committed to ensuring all Namibians have access to quality healthcare services. “Our government, under my leadership, we are determined, we are committed to see how best all Namibians can get access to quality health services,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government’s commitment to healthcare is driven by the belief that “a healthy nation is a productive nation”.