Over 2 600 nursing graduates fail licensing exam, raising quality concerns
July 13, 2026
[PODCAST]
More than 2 600 nursing graduates have failed Namibia’s national licensing examination since it became compulsory last year, raising concerns about the quality of training across institutions.
The Health Professions Council of Namibia introduced the exam to ensure only competent nurses enter the healthcare system.
However, the Namibia Nurses Union says the high failure rate points to deeper systemic issues, including inconsistent curricula and the rapid expansion of training institutions.
Union secretary general Junias Shilunga says the growth in nursing schools has made it difficult to maintain consistent training standards nationwide.
