Ester Mbathera
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has initiated the installation of dialysis units in several district hospitals across Namibia.
Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry, made this statement at the book launch of Wilika Frai, who received state support during her battle with endometriosis.
Nangombe said the move is part of the government’s broader effort to improve public healthcare delivery in the country.
“As a ministry, we are working quite hard to improve the provision of public health care services in this country,” said Nangombe.
He said the government has previously spent over N$100 million annually referring state patients to the private sector for dialysis services.
The dialysis units have been installed in the Keetmanshoop, Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay, Oshakati, and Katutura district hospitals.
“They have already started treating dialysis patients at Katutura. We are in the process of officially opening, but the facility is currently operational. The one at Oshakati is working. The construction work at Keetmanshoop is complete. We have installed the machinery and trained the nurses. So just imagine people who used to come from Keetmanshoop coming to Windhoek can now receive services there,” he said.
Nangombe said with this development, patients who previously had to travel long distances for dialysis can now access these services closer to home, reducing the strain on both patients and the healthcare system.
In addition to dialysis services, the ministry has also expanded Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities across the country.
According to Nangombe, before COVID-19, the country had about 22 ICU beds in all the public hospitals.
The ministry has since installed ICU facilities in all 34 district hospitals.
This expansion, according to Nangombe, includes not only the equipment but also the necessary medical staff.
“It means if you have ICU facilities, you need human beings. You need the doctors, the medical doctors. We now have specialist doctors… even at Keetmanshoop, we have them in Katima Mulilo. We have them in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Rundu,” he added.
Nangombe explained that these investments are transforming public healthcare, making advanced medical services more accessible to all Namibians.
“So this is the kind of capacity that we have in the public health centre and that is making it possible for us to have happy endings for our people who come to the public sector to receive services,” he said.
