First state MRI to boost diagnostics at Windhoek Central
MRI to ease pressure on public healthcare purse
Windhoek Central Hospital is set to significantly strengthen public healthcare with the installation of the country’s first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine in a state hospital.
The MRI, described as a milestone investment, is expected to become operational by April.
While MRI machines are available in private hospitals in Namibia, this will be the first time such advanced imaging technology is accessible in the public sector, reducing reliance on costly private referrals and overseas treatment for patients without private healthcare.
As the country’s apex referral facility, Windhoek Central receives patients from all 14 regions for highly specialised care unavailable elsewhere in the public healthcare system.
MRI machines are among the most advanced diagnostic tools in modern medicine, offering detailed soft-tissue imaging critical for neurological, spinal and orthopaedic conditions, complex surgical planning and long-term treatment monitoring.
Until now, patients requiring MRI scans were referred to state-approved private hospitals at an average cost of N$13 000 per scan, paid for by the state.
In cases where services were unavailable locally, patients were sent abroad, further straining public resources.
Windhoek Central Hospital Superintendent Dr Shitaleni Herman told Namibian Sun last week that the MRI tech will significantly improve diagnostic precision, streamline clinical workflows and enhance patient outcomes, reinforcing the hospital’s role as Namibia’s medical hub.
Specialists and technology
According to Dr Herman, Namibia’s specialist base has expanded substantially since independence. From just three paediatricians at the time, the country now has more than 70, including sub-specialists in paediatric cardiology, surgery, neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery.
Challenges remain, however.
The Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) annual report 2023–2024 highlights persistent shortages in fields such as neurosurgery, nuclear medicine and emergency care.
These gaps are partly addressed through visiting specialist teams from Germany and the United Kingdom, who support local clinicians while maintaining continuity of care.
Dr Herman stressed that advanced equipment alone cannot transform healthcare without the corresponding depth of professional expertise.
“Becoming a specialist in Namibia is a long and demanding journey,” he said. “Doctors spend at least seven years in general medical training, followed by several more years in specialist and sub-specialist training. When that expertise is combined with technology like MRI, it unlocks care that was previously impossible in the public sector.”
CT scan capacity
Diagnostic imaging has recently come under public scrutiny.
Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda said on social media that Namibia’s public health sector has only a limited number of CT scanners, with a single functioning machine serving Windhoek. He said this has resulted in backlogs and delayed diagnoses.
Responding to the concerns, Dr Herman said the public CT scanner serving the Windhoek referral system is located at Katutura Intermediate Hospital, not Windhoek Central Hospital. He added that waiting lists do not automatically indicate system failure but are a result of structured healthcare planning and clinical prioritisation.
“Yes, patients do wait, but waiting is universal in healthcare systems."
He explained that CT scans are ordered following clinical assessment and scheduled according to urgency, with emergencies prioritised.
The critical question, he stressed, is whether waiting times are clinically acceptable, not whether queues exist.
He added that the health ministry has placed strong emphasis on time-based audits, with a policy objective of reducing waiting periods from months to weeks across services, including diagnostic imaging.
While acknowledging growing demand, Dr Herman said the current CT service is functioning within planned capacity, with procurement of an additional CT scanner expected to further strengthen diagnostic capability.
Infrastructure upgrades
Beyond imaging, Windhoek Central Hospital has undergone significant infrastructure upgrades over the past year.
These include the restoration of hot water after 14 years, the installation of six new anaesthetic machines and the commissioning of a N$34 million paediatric intensive care unit. Operating theatres have been refurbished, and patient loading zones were redesigned to improve access and reduce congestion.
The hospital has also moved towards operational self-sufficiency by producing body bags and patient uniforms in-house, items previously imported from South Africa. This has cut costs, improved turnaround times and strengthened internal logistics.
“Every investment we make is assessed by how much it reduces the time, effort and stress patients experience when accessing care,” Dr Herman said.
“We compete with ourselves,” Dr Herman added.
“Our goal is to do better every day: to reduce waiting times, remove barriers to access and ensure every patient’s journey through the system is as seamless as possible.”
The MRI, described as a milestone investment, is expected to become operational by April.
While MRI machines are available in private hospitals in Namibia, this will be the first time such advanced imaging technology is accessible in the public sector, reducing reliance on costly private referrals and overseas treatment for patients without private healthcare.
As the country’s apex referral facility, Windhoek Central receives patients from all 14 regions for highly specialised care unavailable elsewhere in the public healthcare system.
MRI machines are among the most advanced diagnostic tools in modern medicine, offering detailed soft-tissue imaging critical for neurological, spinal and orthopaedic conditions, complex surgical planning and long-term treatment monitoring.
Until now, patients requiring MRI scans were referred to state-approved private hospitals at an average cost of N$13 000 per scan, paid for by the state.
In cases where services were unavailable locally, patients were sent abroad, further straining public resources.
Windhoek Central Hospital Superintendent Dr Shitaleni Herman told Namibian Sun last week that the MRI tech will significantly improve diagnostic precision, streamline clinical workflows and enhance patient outcomes, reinforcing the hospital’s role as Namibia’s medical hub.
Specialists and technology
According to Dr Herman, Namibia’s specialist base has expanded substantially since independence. From just three paediatricians at the time, the country now has more than 70, including sub-specialists in paediatric cardiology, surgery, neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery.
Challenges remain, however.
The Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) annual report 2023–2024 highlights persistent shortages in fields such as neurosurgery, nuclear medicine and emergency care.
These gaps are partly addressed through visiting specialist teams from Germany and the United Kingdom, who support local clinicians while maintaining continuity of care.
Dr Herman stressed that advanced equipment alone cannot transform healthcare without the corresponding depth of professional expertise.
“Becoming a specialist in Namibia is a long and demanding journey,” he said. “Doctors spend at least seven years in general medical training, followed by several more years in specialist and sub-specialist training. When that expertise is combined with technology like MRI, it unlocks care that was previously impossible in the public sector.”
CT scan capacity
Diagnostic imaging has recently come under public scrutiny.
Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda said on social media that Namibia’s public health sector has only a limited number of CT scanners, with a single functioning machine serving Windhoek. He said this has resulted in backlogs and delayed diagnoses.
Responding to the concerns, Dr Herman said the public CT scanner serving the Windhoek referral system is located at Katutura Intermediate Hospital, not Windhoek Central Hospital. He added that waiting lists do not automatically indicate system failure but are a result of structured healthcare planning and clinical prioritisation.
“Yes, patients do wait, but waiting is universal in healthcare systems."
He explained that CT scans are ordered following clinical assessment and scheduled according to urgency, with emergencies prioritised.
The critical question, he stressed, is whether waiting times are clinically acceptable, not whether queues exist.
He added that the health ministry has placed strong emphasis on time-based audits, with a policy objective of reducing waiting periods from months to weeks across services, including diagnostic imaging.
While acknowledging growing demand, Dr Herman said the current CT service is functioning within planned capacity, with procurement of an additional CT scanner expected to further strengthen diagnostic capability.
Infrastructure upgrades
Beyond imaging, Windhoek Central Hospital has undergone significant infrastructure upgrades over the past year.
These include the restoration of hot water after 14 years, the installation of six new anaesthetic machines and the commissioning of a N$34 million paediatric intensive care unit. Operating theatres have been refurbished, and patient loading zones were redesigned to improve access and reduce congestion.
The hospital has also moved towards operational self-sufficiency by producing body bags and patient uniforms in-house, items previously imported from South Africa. This has cut costs, improved turnaround times and strengthened internal logistics.
“Every investment we make is assessed by how much it reduces the time, effort and stress patients experience when accessing care,” Dr Herman said.
“We compete with ourselves,” Dr Herman added.
“Our goal is to do better every day: to reduce waiting times, remove barriers to access and ensure every patient’s journey through the system is as seamless as possible.”
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