Namibia opens child-friendly surgical theatre
The health ministry has launched the country’s first paediatric theatre at the Windhoek Central Hospital in collaboration with the Scottish charity Kids Operating Room (KidsOR).
The theatre, officially opened last week, is set to significantly reduce the financial burden on the state, which until now has referred 90% of its paediatric surgery cases to private entities locally and in South Africa.
Until recently, child surgeries were performed in adult operating theatres when possible, unless the children were transferred to suitable - and often more costly - paediatric facilities elsewhere.
The new facility is fully equipped with child-friendly operating tools and equipment.
It will reduce risks of morbidity in emergency surgical cases as a result of long distance travels during transfers to other operating theatres. It will also ensure affordable, quality paediatric surgical services for Namibian children, the ministry said.
Last week, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said the services currently available include congenital anomaly corrections.
The theatre also offers treatment for a variety of child cancers.
"Previously, children with congenital anomalies used to wait until they were already far along in their school-going age to receive their corrective procedures, and this had a major impact on their psychological development. Now, with the paediatric surgery department on the ground, things have improved remarkably."
More to come
The minister also pointed out that a memorandum of understanding signed by Namibia and KidsOR will accelerate the development and enhancement of the paediatric surgical facilities at the Windhoek Central Hospital.
This is in line with the objectives of the charity organisation, which are to provide children relief from suffering and distress and promote their health by creating, equipping, enhancing and supporting the maintenance of dedicated children’s operating rooms.
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The theatre, officially opened last week, is set to significantly reduce the financial burden on the state, which until now has referred 90% of its paediatric surgery cases to private entities locally and in South Africa.
Until recently, child surgeries were performed in adult operating theatres when possible, unless the children were transferred to suitable - and often more costly - paediatric facilities elsewhere.
The new facility is fully equipped with child-friendly operating tools and equipment.
It will reduce risks of morbidity in emergency surgical cases as a result of long distance travels during transfers to other operating theatres. It will also ensure affordable, quality paediatric surgical services for Namibian children, the ministry said.
Last week, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said the services currently available include congenital anomaly corrections.
The theatre also offers treatment for a variety of child cancers.
"Previously, children with congenital anomalies used to wait until they were already far along in their school-going age to receive their corrective procedures, and this had a major impact on their psychological development. Now, with the paediatric surgery department on the ground, things have improved remarkably."
More to come
The minister also pointed out that a memorandum of understanding signed by Namibia and KidsOR will accelerate the development and enhancement of the paediatric surgical facilities at the Windhoek Central Hospital.
This is in line with the objectives of the charity organisation, which are to provide children relief from suffering and distress and promote their health by creating, equipping, enhancing and supporting the maintenance of dedicated children’s operating rooms.
[email protected]
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