N$9.8 million ICU for Rundu hospital

The health and social services ministry says numerous capital projects are underway throughout the country to improve service delivery, reduce referrals to state facilities and the private sector, as well as provide ancillary services.Among the projects is a 12-bed intensive care unit (ICU) worth N$9.8 million, earmarked for the Rundu Intermediate Hospital in the Kavango East Region.Health minister Kalumbi Shangula said before the Covid-19 pandemic, there were fewer than 40 ICU beds available in public health facilities around the country, shared among Windhoek Central Hospital, Katutura Intermediate Hospital, Oshakati Intermediate Hospital and Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital.“To remedy this situation, the ministry embarked on the establishment of ICUs at various hospitals around the country, and for Rundu Intermediate Hospital, construction commenced on 7 February for a 12-bed facility."The project is anticipated to be completed by 7 October at a cost of N$9.8 million, and will include a dialysis unit, he said.He emphasised that government is committed to providing resources "to promote and sustain the good health status of its citizens."On 2 April he tabled the ministry&#039;s budget of N$10.8 billion."An amount of N$217 million is allocated to Kavango East,” he added.Covid-19 spurs provision of oxygenShangula said “with the difficult Covid-19 lesson at the back of our minds, the ministry has embarked upon the medial oxygen network upgrading and installation of oxygen generating systems."Oxygen-generating systems have been installed at Andara District Hospital, including a standby electrical generator as well as at Rundu Intermediate Hospital. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported the procurement of the oxygen-generating system."A new oxygen-generating system is being installed at Nyangana District Hospital through government financial resources,” he said.Filling gapsIn addition, the ministry completed the construction of Shamaturu Clinic in August 2023 at a cost of N$10 million.“The ministry has also taken note of the lack of appropriate facilities for psychiatric inpatient and outpatient services. A feasibility study to this effect has been commissioned to aid in the design and construction of psychiatric units in all hospitals,” Shangula said.“The ministry continues to maintain health infrastructure. The incinerator at Rundu Intermediate Hospital is not functioning optimally. As an emergency, a contractor has been appointed to refurbish the incinerator," he added.Moreover, the ministry is working towards a long-term solution for the procurement of a new incinerator as well as the new positioning of the incinerator."Alteration and minor renovation are envisaged at Barramasoni, Sauyema, Kaisosi, Ndama and Nkarapamwe clinics in this financial year,” Shangula added.nikanor@erongo.com.na

N$9.8 million ICU for Rundu hospital

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-29

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N$9.8 million ICU for Rundu hospital

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-29

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