Ministry open to fresh probe into Lüderitz mum, infant deaths

A year after a mother and her newborn baby died at Lüderitz District Hospital, health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao says the ministry is open to an independent inquiry and remains committed to transparency.“The ministry remains open to independent review,” Luvindao said in a ministerial response to questions raised in parliament last week over the October 2025 deaths.She said “absolute transparency” is critical, adding: “Our priority is the truth, the integrity of our health system and justice for the bereaved family.”The minister expressed her condolences to the bereaved family.“The loss of a mother and a child during childbirth is a tragedy that cuts deep into the fabric of our society,” she said. “It represents a loss of potential, a shattering of family dreams, and a painful reminder of the fragility of life… We share in your pain, and we stand with you during this difficult time.”Luvindao said the ministry acknowledged the gravity of the incident and was committed to transparency but stressed that the investigations, including the autopsy and final clinical reviews, had not been concluded. “Consequently, it would be premature and procedurally incorrect to make a definitive pronouncement on whether medical negligence occurred in this specific case at this stage,” she said. “We must allow the due process to reach its logical conclusion based on facts rather than speculation.”She emphasised the ministry’s commitment to holding healthcare professionals accountable while ensuring they are treated fairly.“On a general policy level, the ministry maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards negligence, balanced with a fair process for our healthcare professionals.”Immediate probe launchedThe ministry treats every maternal and newborn death as a serious incident requiring immediate and thorough investigation.She said the incident was reported within 24 hours and that a preliminary investigation by the senior medical officer was completed on 1 November 2025.A multidisciplinary inquiry team conducted a review on 2 November, examining clinical care, triage, adherence to guidelines, staffing and the hospital’s readiness to handle emergencies.A regional mortality meeting was subsequently convened on 10 November to analyse contributing factors and submit findings to the national level.The hospital’s standing committee also investigated the incident and produced a report on 6 November, which was submitted for national review. “Investigations at the national level are still ongoing,” Luvindao said.She explained that the ministry’s maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response guidelines require the notification and review of such deaths under a “no name, no blame” approach. “This robust process ensures that we identify any delays in seeking care, reaching the facility or receiving appropriate interventions,” she said. “Once the investigations are concluded, any additional gaps identified, whether in policy, procedure or training, will be met with further, specific corrective measures as appropriate,” she explained.Actions takenLuvindao said the ministry had already introduced measures to strengthen emergency obstetric and neonatal care at Lüderitz District Hospital and across the wider region. These include reviewing and standardising emergency protocols, distributing updated guidelines and visual aids, and introducing standardised medical record books to ensure that clinical events from pregnancy through delivery are accurately documented. The ministry has also strengthened staffing at the hospital, and provided two new obstetric ultrasound machines, two electrocardiogram machines, a cardiotocography machine to monitor foetal heart rates and a modern anaesthetic machine. Luvindao said the ministry had also ensured round-the-clock oxygen availability and blood transfusion capabilities. She said further corrective action would be taken once the investigations established whether additional gaps existed.

Ministry open to fresh probe into Lüderitz mum, infant deaths

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-21

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Ministry open to fresh probe into Lüderitz mum, infant deaths

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-21

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