Today, 22 October 2025, the International University of Management (IUM), through its Founder and Council Chair, Prof. Dr. David R. Namwandi donated medical equipment valued at N$8.5 million to the Government of the Republic of Namibia. The donation was officially received and accepted by Dr. Elijah Ngurare, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, was assisted by Dr. Esperance Luvindao, the Minister of Health and Social Services, on behalf of Her Excellency, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Delivering a message of gratitude from President Nandi-Ndaitwah, Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare described the donation as a unique and exemplary gesture from a local institution to its government. He emphasised that the Government of the Republic of Namibia is committed to providing integrated, affordable, and responsive healthcare services, with the mission of reducing mortality and morbidity rates. He further commended the importance of existing public–private partnerships, such as the one between IUM and the Government, which he said would significantly benefit the Namibian people.
In his address, Prof. Dr. David Namwandi, in a tone of true humility, described the donation as a modest contribution that does not imply that IUM has abundance, but rather reflects the university’s heartfelt desire to join hands with the Government to improve patient care and treatment. He also presented a roadmap outlining how the IUM School of Medicine will begin producing Namibian medical specialists.
Currently, Namibia’s healthcare system relies heavily on foreign specialists, making medical consultation and specialist services costly for ordinary citizens. IUM seeks to address this inequality by training and producing more local medical specialists, thereby promoting affordability and accessibility within the healthcare sector.
Dr. Esperance Luvindao, the Minister of Health and Social Services, expressed heartfelt appreciation to IUM for its generous gesture. She further clarified that the total value of IUM’s contribution exceeded N$10 million, including all associated costs related to the implementation of the IUM School of Medicine. As part of this initiative, IUM will provide five medical specialists who will be seconded to public health institutions, with all costs fully covered by IUM. Dr. Luvindao applauded the tangible results of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and IUM, and urged the beneficiary institution, Rundu Intermediate Hospital, to develop a maintenance plan to ensure that the donated equipment serves many generations to come.
Prof. Filemon Amaambo, Member: IUM Advisory School of Medicine Board, highlighted the significance of this donation, noting that it breaks the long-standing “curse of peripheral boundaries,” where regions outside Windhoek often face disadvantages in healthcare access. He remarked that the donation to Rundu Intermediate Hospital symbolises equality and inclusion, ensuring that people in Rundu receive the same quality of care as those in Windhoek.
Dr. Nelago Amagulu, Chairperson: IUM Advisory School of Medicine Board & Medical Superintendent: Katutura Intermediate & Teaching Hospital further explained that the targeted donation to Rundu Intermediate Hospital is strategic, as the hospital also serves patients from Katima Mulilo and surrounding areas. She illustrated the impact by noting that in the past, a neonatal patient might have had to travel over 500 kilometres to Rundu for treatment, only to find services unavailable and then be forced to travel another 700 kilometres elsewhere. She expressed optimism that such challenges will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to IUM’s timely and transformative donation.
The handover ceremony was attended by many people, including government officials and medical professionals:
• Dr. Herman Shitaleni, Medical Superintendent: Windhoek Central Hospital
• Dr. Theresia Shivera, Medical Superintendent: Rundu State Hospital
• Dr. Cornelius Weyulu, CEO/Registrar, HPCNA
• Ms. Anna Engelbrecht, Nursing Manager, Mediclinic Hospital