Ministry spends N$100m on dialysis every year
The health ministry spends more than N$100 million annually on dialysis services due to the limited number of public dialysis centres across the country.
Minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said Namibians have to travel long distances to receive dialysis services, with some government patients also being referred to private dialysis centres, costing the government N$100 million per year.
The ministry has, therefore, decided to establish dialysis services at Katutura State Hospital, as well as at Keetmanshoop, Rundu, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo and Walvis Bay.
The government also approved the introduction of additional intensive care units (ICUs) in all 34 district hospitals in the country as there were less than 25 ICUs in the public health sector before the Covid-19 pandemic. “Over 85% of the Namibian population relies on public health and social services provided by hospitals, including 322 clinics, 56 health centres, 34 district hospitals, four intermediate hospitals and one national referral hospital. There are more than 1 150 contact points across the country,” he said.
Shangula also pointed out that dental care will be expanded. In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the ministry purchased 13 operating tables, 20 electrocardiographs, 97 infant incubators, 20 dental chairs and X-ray machines, and 18 dental autoclaves.
The ministry also launched an image archiving and communication system and a radiology information system worth N$19.3 million to digitise the storage and transmission of patient image data.
According to Shangula, the ministry installed oxygen systems in various healthcare facilities, including Onandjokwe, Mariental, Swakopmund, Okakarara and St Mary's Hospital in Rehoboth, as well as hospitals in Keetmanshoop, Okahao, Eenhana, Okongo and Andara.
Minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said Namibians have to travel long distances to receive dialysis services, with some government patients also being referred to private dialysis centres, costing the government N$100 million per year.
The ministry has, therefore, decided to establish dialysis services at Katutura State Hospital, as well as at Keetmanshoop, Rundu, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo and Walvis Bay.
The government also approved the introduction of additional intensive care units (ICUs) in all 34 district hospitals in the country as there were less than 25 ICUs in the public health sector before the Covid-19 pandemic. “Over 85% of the Namibian population relies on public health and social services provided by hospitals, including 322 clinics, 56 health centres, 34 district hospitals, four intermediate hospitals and one national referral hospital. There are more than 1 150 contact points across the country,” he said.
Shangula also pointed out that dental care will be expanded. In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the ministry purchased 13 operating tables, 20 electrocardiographs, 97 infant incubators, 20 dental chairs and X-ray machines, and 18 dental autoclaves.
The ministry also launched an image archiving and communication system and a radiology information system worth N$19.3 million to digitise the storage and transmission of patient image data.
According to Shangula, the ministry installed oxygen systems in various healthcare facilities, including Onandjokwe, Mariental, Swakopmund, Okakarara and St Mary's Hospital in Rehoboth, as well as hospitals in Keetmanshoop, Okahao, Eenhana, Okongo and Andara.
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