Northern referral hospital still in pipeline
Options to fund project being considered
Health minister Dr Kalumbu Shangula has confirmed that efforts to build a northern referral hospital are still ongoing.
Government is still looking for funds before it commences work on the much-anticipated northern referral hospital, which, once complete, is intended to alleviate pressure on the Katutura Intermediate State Hospital.
Speaking to Namibian Sun briefly, health minister Dr Kalumbu Shangula said the hospital project "is still in the pipeline; it was not started because we are looking for funds."
Shangula would not provide an updated figure of the anticipated cost of the project, saying it would be known once the design had been completed and costed.
"We will know the amount once we are done – it will be known once the bill of quantities has been established," he said.
Sourcing under the loop
Government is considering a variety of options to fund the project, including sourcing private capital as a means to complete it, the minister explained.
"We are looking at all available options, and we will take the most viable option," he said.
He said work was also being done on the Windhoek district hospital.
Once complete, it is intended to serve patients who would otherwise have been referred to the Windhoek Central Hospital or Katutura Intermediate Hospital from Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene and Zambezi regions for emergencies.
The new hospital would also serve as a training facility and be used for research purposes. Ondangwa has been identified as a possible site for the facility.
Consultations underway
Shangula said the health ministry has been in consultation with the finance ministry for guidance on the financing of the project.
"Private investment in the social sector is challenging concerning return on investment. The health ministry will, however, continue to engage the ministry of finance in finding a funding model for the social sector for the projects to be realised. These projects are alive and will be realised sooner rather than later. They remain our priorities," Shangula has said previously.
Shangula said the Ondangwa town council granted approval to the health ministry for Erf No. 2372, of which the ministry will utilise 19 hectares for site development at no cost.
Speaking to Namibian Sun briefly, health minister Dr Kalumbu Shangula said the hospital project "is still in the pipeline; it was not started because we are looking for funds."
Shangula would not provide an updated figure of the anticipated cost of the project, saying it would be known once the design had been completed and costed.
"We will know the amount once we are done – it will be known once the bill of quantities has been established," he said.
Sourcing under the loop
Government is considering a variety of options to fund the project, including sourcing private capital as a means to complete it, the minister explained.
"We are looking at all available options, and we will take the most viable option," he said.
He said work was also being done on the Windhoek district hospital.
Once complete, it is intended to serve patients who would otherwise have been referred to the Windhoek Central Hospital or Katutura Intermediate Hospital from Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene and Zambezi regions for emergencies.
The new hospital would also serve as a training facility and be used for research purposes. Ondangwa has been identified as a possible site for the facility.
Consultations underway
Shangula said the health ministry has been in consultation with the finance ministry for guidance on the financing of the project.
"Private investment in the social sector is challenging concerning return on investment. The health ministry will, however, continue to engage the ministry of finance in finding a funding model for the social sector for the projects to be realised. These projects are alive and will be realised sooner rather than later. They remain our priorities," Shangula has said previously.
Shangula said the Ondangwa town council granted approval to the health ministry for Erf No. 2372, of which the ministry will utilise 19 hectares for site development at no cost.
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