By Lylie Happiness
Oshakati, 04 August 2023 – The provision of essential healthcare services in the Zambezi region has encountered formidable challenges, as officials within the Ministry of Health and Social Services voice concerns over aging infrastructure, shortages of medical equipment, a dearth of healthcare professionals, and a prevailing lack of comprehensive support from the central government.
A glaring manifestation of this predicament is evident in the Katima Mulilo state hospital’s reliance on privately-hired ambulances due to a critical shortage of the crucial vehicles. Each trip necessitating a private ambulance incurs an approximate cost of N$90,000.00 for the hospital. These pressing issues were candidly conveyed by officials from the Katima Mulilo hospital to the National Council Standing Committee on Health, Social Welfare, and Labour Affairs. The committee embarked on an extensive oversight mission to evaluate the prevailing state of healthcare facilities in the region.
During this comprehensive visit, a nurse assigned to a modest clinic in the Mafuta settlement of the Zambezi region shared a disheartening revelation. He disclosed that for over 17 years, he has not received a single uniform from the Ministry of Health and Social Services. This has compelled him to personally procure uniforms of subpar quality, resulting in their rapid wear and tear. Additionally, he shed light on the inadequate living conditions experienced by nurses in the region. Distressingly, he revealed that, in certain instances, three nurses are constrained to share a diminutive two-bedroom dwelling.
The visit of the National Council Standing Committee on Health, Social Welfare, and Labour Affairs has underscored the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the multifaceted challenges pervading healthcare provisions in the Zambezi region. It serves as a clarion call for comprehensive efforts to revitalize the healthcare infrastructure, enhance the supply of essential medical resources, alleviate the burdens faced by dedicated healthcare professionals, and secure the necessary governmental backing. The pursuit of a robust and resilient healthcare system stands as an imperative aspiration, as the well-being of the region’s inhabitants hinges upon its successful realization. – Namibia Daily News
