The Omaheke region, which has recorded some of the highest child malnutrition rates in Namibia, is seeing improvement in health outcomes.
This is due to coordinated efforts led by regional leadership and supported by civil society and health officials, a recent report by the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (Nafsan) states.
The report reflects on developments and lessons from the region over the last three years.
“Malnutrition in Namibia presents as a triple burden: undernutrition, overnutrition and hidden hunger – all of which are linked to poor health outcomes and a reduced quality of life,” the report reads.
Nafsan says overnutrition, including obesity, is contributing to rising cases of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, while undernutrition, especially among children, continues to place a heavy strain on the health system.
“Stunting, which is an irreversible form of chronic malnutrition, is estimated to have increased from 24% to over 30% in Namibia, now affecting one in every three children,” the report states.
In the Omaheke region, governor Pijoo Nganate has acknowledged the long-standing crisis and says his office has prioritised the fight against malnutrition since early 2022.
“We established a multi-sectoral malnutrition task force to coordinate our regional efforts and bring all relevant stakeholders to the table,” he says.
The task force is chaired by a retired nurse and co-chaired by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, with support from Nafsan and several civil society organisations.
It includes representatives from regional government, health authorities, and community leaders.
Despite limited financial resources, the task force meets regularly to review data, plan interventions and mobilise support.
“This task force has enabled early detection and referral of malnourished children, which has in turn contributed to a visible decline in malnutrition-related deaths,” Nafsan says in the report.
It adds that hospital admissions for malnutrition in the Omaheke region saw an increase in 2023, which they attributed to improved awareness campaigns and stronger referral systems and not necessarily worsening conditions.
“The spike in cases coincided with intensified community outreach and screening, which allowed health workers to intervene early.
“That explains the higher admission rate, but also the decline in deaths,” the report states.
The governor’s office continues to distribute food to vulnerable households through the Office of the Prime Minister’s drought-relief programme, while also securing donations from local businesses.
“We’ve received support from companies like Megasave Gobabis for food and Gobabis Toyota for transport assistance,” the report states.
Under a European Union-funded project running from December 2022 to May 2025, Nafsan piloted the Hub-CSO model in the Omaheke, Hardap and Otjozondjupa regions. The model empowers local organisations to coordinate nutrition and food security activities at the regional level.
“In Omaheke, Advanced Community Health Care Services Namibia and Light for the Children worked closely together to trace children discharged from hospitals and link them to soup kitchens for continued recovery,” Nafsan says.
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