Paracetamol, HIV test kits still in stock, ministry says
The health ministry has clarified that there are adequate supplies of paracetamol and HIV test kits, despite concerns raised on social media about alleged shortages at some health facilities.
Earlier this week, Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda told his social media followers that while political leaders are campaigning ahead of next week’s elections, conditions at state hospitals are “bad”.
Amupanda claimed that 25% of medicines at state hospitals are out of stock. He said Panado for children is among the medicines currently unavailable, and that overall understock levels stand at 53%, meaning hospitals are unable to meet demand for more than half of essential medicines.
“The HIV testing kits are one of the items falling into this category," Amupanda wrote.
"In fact, if nothing urgent is done, HIV testing kits will be completely out of stock. If you add out of stock and understock, it will take us to 78%," he reported.
"According to this report, only 13% of the stock can be considered satisfactory. It is bad, bad. I will personally call the minister of health, Esperance Luvindao, to discuss and resolve this serious matter. She surely needs our help, and our people need our help,” he noted.
Not much, but a little
In a statement issued on Wednesday, health ministry executive director Penda Ithindi acknowledged that the ministry is experiencing stock pressures at various health facilities.
Ithindi said government has introduced several short-term and long-term measures to address the situation, including increasing regional buy-out budgets, redistributing existing stock and accelerating procurement processes.
He said paracetamol formulations remain available in limited quantities across health facilities, with both syrup and suppositories currently in use.
“Furthermore, the ministry has successfully placed an order of 3 million units of paracetamol syrup, which is currently in transit to Namibia and is expected to arrive by mid-December 2025. The consignment is projected to cover 12 months of national demand,” Ithindi added.
He added that regarding HIV test kits, the national testing algorithm remains fully functional, using three types of kits: Wantai Colloidal Gold for primary screening, Unigold for confirmatory testing and Sure-Check as a tie-breaker.
Ithindi said the combined national stock of Colloidal Gold stands at approximately 15 650 units, representing nearly 11 months of coverage.
“Additional shipments of Unigold have recently arrived, ensuring at least six months of supply, while further deliveries are already in the procurement pipeline," Ithindi said.
"Sure-Check, used in fewer than 2% of HIV tests, also remains available, with more orders underway,” he added.
Ithindi emphasised that the ministry continues to prioritise both immediate supply needs and long-term procurement solutions. Redistribution of available stock is ongoing to ensure uninterrupted service delivery across all regions.
Earlier this week, Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda told his social media followers that while political leaders are campaigning ahead of next week’s elections, conditions at state hospitals are “bad”.
Amupanda claimed that 25% of medicines at state hospitals are out of stock. He said Panado for children is among the medicines currently unavailable, and that overall understock levels stand at 53%, meaning hospitals are unable to meet demand for more than half of essential medicines.
“The HIV testing kits are one of the items falling into this category," Amupanda wrote.
"In fact, if nothing urgent is done, HIV testing kits will be completely out of stock. If you add out of stock and understock, it will take us to 78%," he reported.
"According to this report, only 13% of the stock can be considered satisfactory. It is bad, bad. I will personally call the minister of health, Esperance Luvindao, to discuss and resolve this serious matter. She surely needs our help, and our people need our help,” he noted.
Not much, but a little
In a statement issued on Wednesday, health ministry executive director Penda Ithindi acknowledged that the ministry is experiencing stock pressures at various health facilities.
Ithindi said government has introduced several short-term and long-term measures to address the situation, including increasing regional buy-out budgets, redistributing existing stock and accelerating procurement processes.
He said paracetamol formulations remain available in limited quantities across health facilities, with both syrup and suppositories currently in use.
“Furthermore, the ministry has successfully placed an order of 3 million units of paracetamol syrup, which is currently in transit to Namibia and is expected to arrive by mid-December 2025. The consignment is projected to cover 12 months of national demand,” Ithindi added.
He added that regarding HIV test kits, the national testing algorithm remains fully functional, using three types of kits: Wantai Colloidal Gold for primary screening, Unigold for confirmatory testing and Sure-Check as a tie-breaker.
Ithindi said the combined national stock of Colloidal Gold stands at approximately 15 650 units, representing nearly 11 months of coverage.
“Additional shipments of Unigold have recently arrived, ensuring at least six months of supply, while further deliveries are already in the procurement pipeline," Ithindi said.
"Sure-Check, used in fewer than 2% of HIV tests, also remains available, with more orders underway,” he added.
Ithindi emphasised that the ministry continues to prioritise both immediate supply needs and long-term procurement solutions. Redistribution of available stock is ongoing to ensure uninterrupted service delivery across all regions.
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