Five-day endoscopy drive reaches five hospitals

The Prof Filemon Amaambo Endoscopy biannual medical outreach programme concluded on Friday at Engela District Hospital after covering five hospitals in five days.

The outreach team from Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital brought specialised endoscopy services closer to communities in Omuthiya, Tsumeb, Okongo, Eenhana and Engela to cut long waiting queues and reduce travel costs for patients.

Dr Namutenya Malima told Namibian Sun the Onandjokwe Endoscopic Outreach Service was established in 2022 by Dr Akutu Munyika. It was renamed in honour of Prof Filemon Amaambo in October 2025.

The outreach aims to decentralise gastrointestinal diagnostic services and ensure timely diagnosis of conditions such as gastritis, ulcers, polyps and colon masses. She said despite operating with only one endoscopy tower – a mobile medical workstation that houses and powers the electronic and gas equipment used during minimally invasive surgeries and diagnostic exams – the team managed high demand and also trained local nurses in patient preparation and equipment handling.

The outreach will continue through two cycles per year in the northern regions.

Update by Loise Shiimi