Hospital Renovations Stall in Namibia Despite Million-Dollar Budget.
Doctors and nurses at Katutura Intermediate Hospital continue performing surgeries in deteriorating operating rooms despite a N$40 million renovation budget allocated nearly a year ago. The Ministry of Works and Transport has yet to appoint consultants to design the new theatres, leaving medical staff to work amid peeling wallpaper, damaged lockers, and broken doors.
Medical personnel received notice to resume the first four surgical procedures of 2024 on February 3 in these compromised facilities. The announcement highlighted non-functioning air conditioning systems in theatres one and six, though gynecological surgeries remain stationed at the respiratory unit theatre.
Namibia Nurses Union representative Ruben Uunona expressed disappointment over the delayed improvements. He emphasized the challenging conditions medical staff face, noting their long hours standing during operations. The hospital's current state includes pest problems, with mice and cockroaches present in various departments.
Dr. Nelago Amagulu, the hospital's medical superintendent, acknowledged the unsuitable conditions of the surgical theatre unit. The entire second floor, including general wards, medical intensive care unit, theatre complex, and head injury unit, stood vacant last year awaiting renovations. Though wards 2A and 2B received updates over ten months, the theatre complex remains untouched.
Ferdinand Ganaseb, maintenance director at the Ministry of Works and Transport, attributed the delays to the hiring process for specialist staff. These experts must define the scope of work before renovations begin. The acute care unit renovations have finished, and the head injury unit improvements should be completed by February 24.
A significant setback emerged regarding the oxygen supply system. The ministry must readvertise the medical gas contract for the entire second floor after canceling the previous contractor's award due to internal organizational issues. The ministry plans to appoint consultants within two weeks to advance the project.
Doctors and nurses at Katutura Intermediate Hospital continue performing surgeries in deteriorating operating rooms despite a N$40 million renovation budget allocated nearly a year ago. The Ministry of Works and Transport has yet to appoint consultants to design the new theatres, leaving medical staff to work amid peeling wallpaper, damaged lockers, and broken doors.
Medical personnel received notice to resume the first four surgical procedures of 2024 on February 3 in these compromised facilities. The announcement highlighted non-functioning air conditioning systems in theatres one and six, though gynecological surgeries remain stationed at the respiratory unit theatre.
Namibia Nurses Union representative Ruben Uunona expressed disappointment over the delayed improvements. He emphasized the challenging conditions medical staff face, noting their long hours standing during operations. The hospital's current state includes pest problems, with mice and cockroaches present in various departments.
Dr. Nelago Amagulu, the hospital's medical superintendent, acknowledged the unsuitable conditions of the surgical theatre unit. The entire second floor, including general wards, medical intensive care unit, theatre complex, and head injury unit, stood vacant last year awaiting renovations. Though wards 2A and 2B received updates over ten months, the theatre complex remains untouched.
Ferdinand Ganaseb, maintenance director at the Ministry of Works and Transport, attributed the delays to the hiring process for specialist staff. These experts must define the scope of work before renovations begin. The acute care unit renovations have finished, and the head injury unit improvements should be completed by February 24.
A significant setback emerged regarding the oxygen supply system. The ministry must readvertise the medical gas contract for the entire second floor after canceling the previous contractor's award due to internal organizational issues. The ministry plans to appoint consultants within two weeks to advance the project.
