Namibia Health Ministry suspends new recruitment until April 2027

The Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services has halted the recruitment of new staff due to government financial constraints and adverse external economic developments affecting domestic revenue. Executive Director Penda Ithindi announced that while N$259 million was allocated for health worker recruitment in the 2026/27 financial year, N$241 million has already been utilized.

By the end of September, approximately 1,770 health workers, including 1,320 nurses, had been employed. The ministry stated that following guidance from the Ministry of Finance, new recruitment will only resume in the next financial year, commencing in April 2027.

Despite the suspension, the ministry will continue to advertise and fill positions that become vacant due to retirement or other natural attrition. The decision follows a collective petition regarding the unemployment of qualified enrolled nurses. To assist job seekers, the ministry supports creating a database of vacancies for unemployed nursing graduates and other health professionals, urging them to keep their details updated with the Health Professions Councils of Namibia.