Recruitment of nurses frozen until April 2027

Due to lack of money the Ministry of Health and Social Services will not recruit new nurses until the new financial year which will start in April 2027.

In a media statement released on 26 October 2026 Executive Director for the Ministry of Health and Social Services Mr Penda Iithindi responded to a recent “Collective Petition Regarding the Unemployment of Qualified Enrolled Nurses and the Current Recruitment Process in Namibia” document which has been circulating.

Iithindi said that during the previous financial year the Ministry received N$185 million to recruit additional staff. That money was used to recruit 814 additional staff between December 2025 and March 2026, while this current year the Ministry received N$259 million to recruit more health personnel, and so far N$ 241 million of this money has been used up too.

“In total about 1,770 health personnel have come on board by the end of September 2026, including about 1,320 nurses,” Mr Iithindi said.

“Taking into account the expressed fiscal position of the country as a result of adverse external economic development, which has a negative effect on domestic revenue, the Ministry wishes to reiterate that new staff recruitment is now halted.”

However Iithindi said recruitment to fill positions that become vacant due to retirement and other natural causes will continue to be advertised and filled.

The Ministry also emphasised the need to uphold quality standards, noting that tests administered by the Health Professional Council of Namibia (HPCNA) ensure quality nurses can provide safe services to the public.

Iithindi said the Ministry appreciates the commitment of unemployed qualified nurses to serve in all parts of the country, including rural areas, where professionals tend to gain employment and later request transfers to urban centres.

The Ministry is committed to improving working conditions in rural settings by investing in decent accommodation facilities as resources allow.

The Ministry called on all unemployed nurses to ensure their details are updated with the Nursing Board of Namibia in advance of recruitment opportunities that may arise before and in the next financial year.

“We appreciate the patience and professionalism of our graduate nurses and other health professionals during this period and reaffirm our commitment to transparent advertisement of the funded positions as and when they become vacant.”

In the photo: Nursing is one of the most popular professions in Namibia.