//Kharas health buckles under pressure

Severely limited staffing as well as insufficient mental health services and unequal access between urban and rural communities continue to hamper the healthcare sector in the //Kharas Region.//Kharas region governor Gaob Dawid Gertze acknowledged these challenges during his state of the region address on Tuesday.“The health and social services sector grapples with a severe workforce shortage, currently operating at only 35% of its required capacity," the governor admitted.He said the health ministry furthermore requires an additional N$8.84 million for advanced diagnostics and surgical tools, such as CT scanners, C-arms and ICU ventilators.“The region also faces escalating mental health concerns, particularly among young people," Gertze warned."Rising rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse are linked to factors such as unemployment, social media pressures and a lack of psycho-social support.”The governor, moreover, expressed his concern over persistent issues of maternal, neonatal and under-five mortality rates.“To address this, the ministry is actively pursuing public-private partnerships to expand access to skilled care and emergency obstetric services, ensuring that expectant mothers and newborns receive the critical care they deserve,” he confirmed.On the bright sideDespite these challenges, the governor also highlighted progress in HIV prevention, particularly in reducing mother-to-child transmission.“The percentage of children born to HIV-positive mothers who test negative has improved from 97% to an outstanding 100%.”Significant achievements in routine immunisation were also achieved, he said.“Both measles-rubella (MR) and pentavalent 3 (Penta 3) vaccine coverage rates have exceeded 80%, demonstrating our commitment to protecting our children from preventable diseases.”He also noted that access to specialist healthcare services has been expanded to Keetmanshoop Hospital, Lüderitz, Oranjemund and Karasburg.Investments into healthcareAmong several completed projects, Karasburg Hospital received a significant boost through private donations, enabling the replacement of essential equipment, including autoclaves and a much-needed roof replacement, with a combined value of N$1.3 million."The Keetmanshoop Hospital saw the completion of a new specialist wing, valued at N$7.4 million, and the establishment of a dialysis centre, both initiatives generously sponsored by the Social Security Commission,” the governor added.The state-of-the-art Aussenkehr Health Centre, valued at approximately N$70 million, was completed, as well as staff accommodation projects in Noordoewer and Ariamsvlei valued at N$15 million.

//Kharas health buckles under pressure

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-10

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//Kharas health buckles under pressure

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-10

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