Lylie Happiness
Rundu, August 09 – The Rundu Intermediate Hospital, a vital healthcare facility in the area, is dealing with an influx of individuals seeking medical attention, resulting in overcrowding and worries about service delivery quality. Despite its size, the hospital is trying to serve the vast number of patients that seek various healthcare services on a regular basis.
A stroll around the hospital’s corridors reveals huge lines and congested sections, with patients lining up from the emergency room to the specialist units. Doctors and nurses from the hospital recently testified in front of the National Council Standing Committee on Health, Social Welfare, and Labor Affairs, shining light on the grave condition. They emphasized their concerns about being overworked and the urgent need for crucial medical equipment refurbishment and replacement.
One of the contributing factors to the hospital’s overcrowding is the absence of a District Hospital in Rundu, which could potentially alleviate the burden on the Intermediate Hospital by catering to the growing population’s healthcare needs.
In an effort to address the strain on resources, the hospital unveiled a new maternity ward with a capacity of over 100 beds approximately two years ago. While this addition was met with enthusiasm by the local community, disappointment soon followed due to the deteriorating quality of the facility. Doctors and nurses have reported that the building is already showing signs of decay and structural problems.
Concerns were also raised about the subpar plumbing system within the new maternity ward. Some toilets were installed but remain disconnected from the sewerage line, causing sanitation issues. Moreover, several bathrooms within the ward have leaky taps and showers, compounding the challenges faced by the healthcare staff.
A glaring issue affecting the hospital’s functionality is the scarcity of linens for patients. The hospital struggles to maintain its limited stock of linens due to a dysfunctional laundry room that is on the brink of collapse. As a consequence, the hospital must send its linens to neighboring clinics and hospitals for laundering. This practice results in delays and compromises the efficiency of various hospital departments, including maternity and mental healthcare units that rely on clean linens to ensure patient privacy and comfort.
Hospital officials have attributed the laundry room’s malfunction to shortcomings in the procurement system. They revealed that their appeals to the Ministry of Health and Social Services for funding to repair and replace the faulty laundry machines have often been overlooked, as they are not perceived as urgent matters. ~Namibia Daily News
