Direct procurement: N$164 million spent on medical equipment manufacturers

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says government has awarded N$164 million to renowned medical equipment manufacturers for deliveries over the next three months, cutting out unnecessary middlemen costs.

She added that by directly procuring medicines from manufacturers, the medicines service level has increased to 57% across the system, up from 49% before these efforts began.

According to her, savings from this procurement method have been redirected and reinvested into the system to buy more medicines.

The deliveries from the N$164 million award to renowned medical equipment manufacturers over the next three months will include, among other items, a computed tomography (CT) machine designated for Keetmanshoop hospital, which will be the first CT scan machine in the southern Namibia state health system, along with 126 electrocardiogram (ECG) machines, 22 mobile X-ray machines, 39 general ultrasound machines, and 548 vital signs monitors.

“The government continues to promote this procurement approach to increase stock levels toward the minimum target of 80% across the system, which is the minimum acceptable for quality health services. The government procurement has dispensation also to extended include this medical equipment. This cost-effective model aims to fill significant gaps in equipment supply at state facilities,” she said during her State of the Nation Address (Sona) yesterday.

The president said under clinical procurement, supplies from healthcare services, pharmaceuticals manufacturers has and direct clinical resulted in positive outcomes and cost-saving efficiencies.

“Furthermore, 36 ambulances were purchased and distributed nationwide to enhance emergency healthcare services. Also, 34 vehicles were acquired, with 14 designated to support outreach efforts for preventive and health-promotion activities in communities.”

“Regarding human resources for health, the government hired 3,471 employees. This rapid recruitment has led to better service delivery and shorter wait times at health facilities. During the year under review, over 51,000 people with disabilities received assistive devices, a vital step toward ensuring mobility and full participation in society. More than 1,235 wheelchairs were purchased and distributed.”

She further noted that four clinics and one health centre have been completed, namely Onanghulo Clinic, the upgrades of Ompundja, Onamukulo, and Mabushe clinics, and the Aussenkehr Health Centre.

“The Maxuilili Clinic and Okuryangava Health Centre in Windhoek are now open twenty-four hours a day, including weekends. Additionally, five specialized units have also been completed for full operation, these are, the Katima Mulilo ICU, kidney dialysis units at Keetmanshoop, Katima Mulilo, and Walvis Bay, and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Swakopmund District Hospital.”

“The Walvis Bay Oncology Centre, the first oncology and chemotherapy facility outside Windhoek, was inaugurated in February 2026, offering essential chemotherapy services. A new 120-bed maternity ward at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital and a 17-bed Intensive Care Unit at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital have been completed,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that the government successfully contained a cholera outbreak in Opuwo, an Mpox outbreak in Swakopmund, and a Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever outbreak in Gobabis.

“An 89% nationwide vaccination rate was achieved against circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 detected in Rundu, Windhoek, and Gobabis. In our efforts to enhance services at public health facilities, the Government has restored hot water at the Windhoek Central Hospital with a budget of N$6.4 million after 15 years without hot water. The restoration of hot water at Intermediate Hospital Katutura is still in progress,” the president concluded.

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