Hertta-maria Amutenja
Elective surgeries at Katutura Intermediate Hospital have been cancelled due to a shortage of both depolarising and nondepolarising muscle relaxants needed for general anaesthesia.
In a letter dated 7 April, addressed to heads of surgical departments, the acting head of anaesthesia, Linea Manyalo-Nashima, informed colleagues that the hospital had run out of essential drugs such as suxamethonium, atracurium, and rocuronium.
These drugs are critical for muscle relaxation during procedures involving tracheal intubation.
“Effective 8 April, all elective cases requiring muscle paralysis would not be carried out until the issue has been resolved,” she said.
According to the letter, only elective cases requiring neuraxial anaesthesia, such as spinal or epidural blocks, may continue to be booked, depending on their suitability.
Efforts to get a response from the hospital were unsuccessful.
Medical superintendent Sarah Shalongo redirected queries to a doctor she identified only as Dr Herman, who could not be reached for comment.
In the Omusati Region, health officials confirmed a similar shortage of Suxamethonium chloride.
Regional health director Alfons Amoomo said the drug is not widely used in the region, as most procedures are done under epidural anaesthesia.
“Suxamethonium chloride 100 100mg/ml is out of stock. However, we are not using it commonly in Omusati because we are administering epidural anaesthesia. So, muscle relaxants are not used,” said Omusati regional health director Alfons Amoomo.
Amoomo also confirmed that health facilities in the region are experiencing a shortage of Co-amiloride 5/50 mg, a medication commonly used to manage high blood pressure.
“This is due to a global supply problem,” he said.
He explained that while some healthcare providers prefer Co-amiloride, the Ministry of Health and Social Services has reviewed its Namibia Essential Medicines List (NEMLIST) to include other effective alternatives.
“Enalapril 5mg and 10mg is a new drug and an essential antihypertensive. This drug is available,” he said.
Amoomo added that the region is using redistribution strategies across health facilities and neighbouring regions to manage the shortfall.
“The measure we are using in the region is redistribution of medicine across health facilities and neighbouring countries,” he noted.
The shortages come against the backdrop of longstanding supply issues within the public health sector.
Across the country, patients continue to report difficulties in accessing basic medication.
Frieda Itula, a 62-year-old from Otamanzi village in the Omusati region, said she has not been able to get her blood pressure medication from a state facility since January.
“I now have to buy my tablets from a private pharmacy every month. It’s costing me over N$300, which I can barely afford on my pension,” Itula said.
In December 2023, the Windhoek Observer reported on a shortage of medical supplies at Okahao State Hospital in the Omusati region.
Items such as amoxicillin syrup, tonsil medication, and health passports were not available.
Patients were issued handwritten notes in place of official documents.
At the time, then Minister of Health Kalumbi Shangula acknowledged the medicine shortages but denied the absence of health passports, citing procurement challenges.
During her campaign trail, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also admitted to medicine shortages in hospitals, citing the procurement system as the root cause.
She promised that the ruling party would urgently review procurement policies to ensure a consistent supply of medication and equipment in public health facilities.
