The spread of AI-generated misinformation online is raising growing concerns.
Health authorities are warning that false information about HIV treatment and other health issues could pose a serious risk to public health.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services says misleading health claims can spread rapidly on social media, potentially undermining trust in healthcare services and discouraging people from seeking treatment.
AI-generated convincing content makes it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between credible information and misinformation.
Public Relations Officer in the ministry, Walters Kamaya, urges members of the public to verify health-related information through official channels before accepting it as fact.
Kamaya says the Ministry continues to monitor misleading information and takes steps to ensure that accurate information reaches the public.
"We take time to debunk that by means of giving the correct information or giving a response to that, and then, in some cases, sometimes we issue press releases just to debunk the myth which was trending. Additionally, we occasionally hold press conferences to clarify and correct any misinformation."
The Ministry says the spread of false health information can have far-reaching consequences, particularly when it concerns issues affecting public health and access to treatment.
Kamaya says Namibians should remain cautious when consuming information online and rely on trusted and verified sources for health guidance.
"It is too dangerous to live with false information or information which is not verified, and there are some people who communicate for different reasons, and then the motive is only known to themselves, not to the Ministry of Health and Social Services. And then what we want people to understand is that the Ministry of Health and Social Services will have only one responsibility, which is to take care of the health of the Namibian citizens."
The Ministry encourages greater public awareness and responsible information sharing as AI-generated content becomes increasingly common across digital platforms.