High-tech boost for Onandjokwe trauma care

Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital handles an average of 91 orthopaedic cases each month, which encompass a range of conditions from fractures and dislocations to intricate trauma injuries that necessitate surgery.

This was revealed by Dr Akutu Munyika during the official handover ceremony of a N$4 million C-arm machine, donated by the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, at Onandjokwe Hospital on Tuesday.

A medical C-arm machine is a mobile X-ray imaging device named for its C-shaped frame. It links an X-ray source to a digital detector, providing real-time fluoroscopy during surgical, orthopaedic, and emergency room procedures.

Munyika underscored that as a key referral centre for Oshikoto and neighbouring northern regions, the hospital delivers essential healthcare services to thousands of patients each year, including a significant number requiring trauma and orthopaedic care.

“This caseload emphasises the crucial role of the hospital in northern Namibia and highlights the pressing need for advanced medical technology to support specialised care,” he stated.

Stronger system

He further indicated that the introduction of the equipment will enhance surgical precision, strengthen clinical decision-making, and improve patient care, particularly in trauma and orthopaedic cases.

Such investments, he said, will directly contribute to better health outcomes, reduced disabilities, faster recoveries, and ultimately a healthier and more productive nation.

Despite the crucial donation, Dr Munyika acknowledged that numerous challenges continue to confront the healthcare sector, including the growing demand for specialised services, an increase in trauma-related injuries, resource constraints, and disparities in access to advanced medical technologies. These challenges necessitate ongoing intervention.

“As we work to strengthen our healthcare system, we must confront these realities while striving for a healthier and more prosperous nation,” he stated.

Josua Nghipangelwa, the Oshikoto regional director for the health ministry, said with the introduction of the C-arm, Onandjokwe Hospital is elevating the standard of trauma care that can be provided at a state facility.

Nghipangelwa urged nurses, medical officers, and all healthcare professionals to ensure that trauma patients who can be treated receive appropriate care and are discharged from the facility.

“By doing so, we can make public healthcare sustainable by minimising patient transfers to other providers, as the state is fully capable of delivering the same level of care,” he said.

Regional impact

With this medical upgrade, Nghipangelwa indicated that Onandjokwe is prepared to accommodate patients from other state hospitals, including Tsumeb, Omuthiya, Eenhana, Okongo, and Grootfontein, which may lack these capabilities.

Meanwhile, Dr Seyoum B. Derbew, head of orthopaedic surgery, expressed his gratitude to the MVA Fund for the generous donation.

“This equipment will significantly enhance the accuracy, safety and efficiency of our orthopaedic and trauma procedures. We sincerely appreciate this partnership and remain committed to utilising the C-Arm to improve surgical care for our patients and the broader community,” he said.