Medical interns warn of crisis as placement delays persist
Many graduates have been forced to take odd jobs to survive.
Namibia’s 2025 cohort of medical interns has raised alarm over prolonged delays in their placements, warning that the uncertainty is jeopardising their professional futures, worsening mental health, and straining an already overburdened health system.
In a letter to Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare, copied to health minister Dr. Esperance Luvindao, the interns appealed for urgent intervention.
They accused the health ministry of offering inconsistent explanations, slow communication, and poor planning.
The group first engaged the ministry in late August but only received an official response weeks later.
A letter from executive director Penda Ithindi, dated 12 September, reached the interns on 23 September “after persistent follow-up,” despite repeated requests for clarity.
‘Financial excuses unconvincing’
The interns dismissed the ministry’s explanation that financial constraints were to blame for the delays.
“If the government is aware that intakes are scheduled for January, May, and September, the budget allocations should therefore have been planned,” their letter stated. “Claiming financial constraints as the reason for delay is not convincing.”
They pointed to a ministry meeting with contractors on 15 September, during which Ithindi reportedly said the ministry had “more than enough money” for projects, citing a N$750 million budget for the financial year.
Interns argued this raised questions about why funds are available for capital projects but not for essential medical training.
The group also challenged the claim that placements only occur in January, May, and September.
“This year, there was no January intake, but intakes occurred in March and June, with none in September. Last year, there was no January intake either, but one took place in March,” the letter said. “The statement about fixed intakes is therefore inaccurate.”
Lives on hold
Beyond policy disputes, the interns say the human cost is mounting. Many graduates have been forced to take odd jobs to survive.
“The uncertainty is pushing interns into unrelated jobs, such as working in shops, as security guards, and as Yango drivers,” said Dr. Kumbee Tjatirani, speaking on behalf of the cohort. “This undermines our professional credibility and patient confidence, while depriving us of critical hands-on training.”
The group reported deteriorating mental health among peers, with some interns expressing suicidal thoughts.
Meanwhile, the health system itself is under pressure.
According to the ministry, Namibia faces about 4,000 new cancer cases each year. The interns argue that deploying them would ease the strain on hospitals while allowing them to complete mandatory training.
Some have been waiting since June, despite submitting documents months ago.
They have requested placements by 1 November 2025, aligning with the start of most hospital rotations.
“This date ensures a smooth start to our professional responsibilities and prevents further harm to both interns and the health system,” their letter concluded.
Ministry responds
A copy of one intern’s placement letter, confirming approval for a two-year internship, a monthly allowance of N$29,000, and an immediate requirement to sign and return the contract, appears to contradict the ministry’s position.
Although Ithindi was reluctant to comment yesterday demanding written questions, he ended up telling Namibian Sun that the ministry, insisting that budget allocations cannot be shifted between programmes.
“Budget for capital projects is for infrastructure, and budget for internships is for internships. You cannot just move money from one programme to the other,” he said. “Even if we want to build more hospitals, if the allocation is short, we can only build what fits into that budget.”
He also emphasised that internship placements depend not only on funding but also on the capacity of hospitals to provide supervision.
“If there are 10 000 people needing internships, you cannot just push them into facilities. They must be accommodated within the available capacity,” he said, urging journalists to seek clarification directly from the ministry rather than relying on speculation.
In a letter to Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare, copied to health minister Dr. Esperance Luvindao, the interns appealed for urgent intervention.
They accused the health ministry of offering inconsistent explanations, slow communication, and poor planning.
The group first engaged the ministry in late August but only received an official response weeks later.
A letter from executive director Penda Ithindi, dated 12 September, reached the interns on 23 September “after persistent follow-up,” despite repeated requests for clarity.
‘Financial excuses unconvincing’
The interns dismissed the ministry’s explanation that financial constraints were to blame for the delays.
“If the government is aware that intakes are scheduled for January, May, and September, the budget allocations should therefore have been planned,” their letter stated. “Claiming financial constraints as the reason for delay is not convincing.”
They pointed to a ministry meeting with contractors on 15 September, during which Ithindi reportedly said the ministry had “more than enough money” for projects, citing a N$750 million budget for the financial year.
Interns argued this raised questions about why funds are available for capital projects but not for essential medical training.
The group also challenged the claim that placements only occur in January, May, and September.
“This year, there was no January intake, but intakes occurred in March and June, with none in September. Last year, there was no January intake either, but one took place in March,” the letter said. “The statement about fixed intakes is therefore inaccurate.”
Lives on hold
Beyond policy disputes, the interns say the human cost is mounting. Many graduates have been forced to take odd jobs to survive.
“The uncertainty is pushing interns into unrelated jobs, such as working in shops, as security guards, and as Yango drivers,” said Dr. Kumbee Tjatirani, speaking on behalf of the cohort. “This undermines our professional credibility and patient confidence, while depriving us of critical hands-on training.”
The group reported deteriorating mental health among peers, with some interns expressing suicidal thoughts.
Meanwhile, the health system itself is under pressure.
According to the ministry, Namibia faces about 4,000 new cancer cases each year. The interns argue that deploying them would ease the strain on hospitals while allowing them to complete mandatory training.
Some have been waiting since June, despite submitting documents months ago.
They have requested placements by 1 November 2025, aligning with the start of most hospital rotations.
“This date ensures a smooth start to our professional responsibilities and prevents further harm to both interns and the health system,” their letter concluded.
Ministry responds
A copy of one intern’s placement letter, confirming approval for a two-year internship, a monthly allowance of N$29,000, and an immediate requirement to sign and return the contract, appears to contradict the ministry’s position.
Although Ithindi was reluctant to comment yesterday demanding written questions, he ended up telling Namibian Sun that the ministry, insisting that budget allocations cannot be shifted between programmes.
“Budget for capital projects is for infrastructure, and budget for internships is for internships. You cannot just move money from one programme to the other,” he said. “Even if we want to build more hospitals, if the allocation is short, we can only build what fits into that budget.”
He also emphasised that internship placements depend not only on funding but also on the capacity of hospitals to provide supervision.
“If there are 10 000 people needing internships, you cannot just push them into facilities. They must be accommodated within the available capacity,” he said, urging journalists to seek clarification directly from the ministry rather than relying on speculation.
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