Northern referral hospital still in limbo

There is still no sign of the much-anticipated northern referral hospital, which government had previously announced would be open and fully operational by 2021 – three years ago.

Once built, it would alleviate pressure on the Katutura Intermediate State Hospital in Windhoek.

However, health minister Kalumbi Shangula reiterated once again that the hospital project "is still in the pipeline.”

Shangula informed Namibian Sun last Thursday that, similar to the Nkurenkuru and Otjiwarongo hospitals, the Ondangwa project has not been abandoned.

The minister said there are currently no funds to kick-start the hospital projects.

Expanding services

In a recent budget motivation speech, the health minister said the ministry is undertaking numerous activities to expand and modernise public health facilities to improve the delivery of public health services at all levels.

He said the ministry received a total of N$10.9 billion for the financial year 2024/25, of which N$457 million will be allocated to infrastructure development. The health minister said the population growth from 2.1 million in 2011 to 3 million in 2023 has placed significant pressure on the health sector.

“We completed several projects that were previously abandoned. Prior to Covid-19, there were less than 40 ICU beds in public health facilities around the country, shared among Windhoek Central Hospital, Katutura Intermediate Hospital, Oshakati Intermediate Hospital and Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital,” Shangula said.

In order to remedy the situation, the ministry embarked on the establishment of ICUs at various hospitals around the country, and so far, 55 ICU beds have been added, bringing the total to 97 beds.

Shangula said the ministry is investing to establish modern ICU facilities in different district hospitals in all 14 regions. The ICUs for Katima Mulilo and Keetmanshoop district hospitals were completed in 2023.

Renal dialysis units

He said government spends upwards of N$100 million every financial year on renal dialysis care by referring state patients to private facilities.

“We are reversing this situation by establishing and expanding renal dialysis units in public hospitals across the country. The installation of renal dialysis at Katutura and Oshakati has been completed and will be commissioned into service soon. We have commenced with similar projects at Keetmanshoop District Hospital and Rundu Intermediate Hospital. Bids have been advertised for Walvis Bay and Otjiwarongo district hospitals,” Shangula said.

He added that for Katima Mulilo district, the procurement process is underway.

Upgrades, renovations

The construction of a new operating theatre at Gobabis District Hospital has also started. The health minister said major renovations at Katutura Intermediate Hospital include civil, electrical and mechanical services for floors two to eight of the of the west and east wings. The seventh-floor renovations have been completed, and renovations on other floors have commenced.

Other renovations include the repair of elevators at Windhoek Central Hospital and the installation of water tank towers and connections to the water reticulation system at Mariental District Hospital, Kalkrand, Hoachanas, Stampriet, Henties Bay, Otjimbingwe, Oshalongo, Oshigambo, Olukupa, and Oshivelo clinics.

Shangula also announced the construction of the Windhoek District Hospital, which will provide relief to Katutura Intermediate Hospital and free up space for specialised services. The groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place on 9 May.

Namibia currently has 322 clinics, 56 health centres, 34 district hospitals, four intermediate hospitals, and one national referral hospital. In addition, there are more than 1 150 outreach points.