Health minister raises concerns over medico-legal training delays amid allegations of malpractice and costly compensation claims

Luvindao’s email to executive director of health and social services Penda Ithindi on June 3 highlighted her request for chief medical officer of legal support services Dr. Ife Ofunne to coordinate the program, and her unfulfilled requests for a timeline and curriculum. This comes amid allegations that some government lawyers are mishandling health-related legal cases, potentially costing the state millions, with some accused of sharing settlement payouts with senior officials and claimants. Auditor general reports indicate the health ministry spent nearly N$14.7 million on compensation claims between 2019 and 2024, with N$5.5 million spent in the past year alone.

Dr. Ofunne, transferred to the ministry’s legal services division, demanded a 10-year record of all medico-legal payouts, citing preliminary investigations that found “substantial evidence of ongoing malpractice and corruption.” His request for information was met with accusations of harassment from a legal officer. Questions have also been raised about the process for obtaining medical expert opinions for court cases.

The Namibia Public Workers Union has also voiced concerns about Dr. Ofunne’s treatment, warning that unresolved grievances could lead to the government paying large, potentially fraudule