Okahandja State Hospital in crisis, community demands action

The state of healthcare at Okahandja State Hospital has reached a critical low, according to the community, prompting calls for urgent intervention by the health ministry. Following a surge of community complaints, videos and phone calls highlighting the hospital’s deteriorating conditions, deputy Okahandja mayor Akser Aupindi and town councillor Charl Coetzee conducted a fact-finding visit last week. According to Aupindi, the visit revealed a deeply troubling situation, with the public health facility on the brink of collapse, crippled by chronic understaffing, severe neglect and critical shortages.The most pressing concern remains the dire shortage of medical professionals, particularly doctors and registered nurses. The hospital currently operates with only seven doctors, despite receiving daily referrals from surrounding clinics, including Nau-Aib, Otjozondu and Ovitoto. According to staff, at least eight more doctors are urgently needed to meet patient demands. Historically, the hospital was assigned 12 medical interns annually, but this year only two interns were deployed. Compounding the crisis, the hospital has just one ambulance and one driver, while 16 registered nurses are urgently needed to stabilise operations and provide adequate care.The deputy mayor has called on health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao to personally visit Okahandja State Hospital within the coming week.“We must change the status quo. Time is running out. Let us bring back the smiles of those seeking help at our healthcare facilities,” Aupindi urged.Nurses on cleaning duty Neglect extends far beyond the medical staff and the state hospital. According to a report released by the deputy mayor following the hospital visit, no cleaners are employed at the Nau-Aib Clinic, and nurses have been forced to rotate cleaning duties throughout the week. District-wide, only nine cleaners are currently employed, far short of the 21 required, the report stated. The situation is equally grim for general labour, the report notes.Otjozondu Clinic has just one labourer, though seven are needed and Ovitoto Clinic is operating with only one cleaner, one driver and zero admin. Nau-Aib has neither and just one admin.Shortage of supplies, broken infrastructure Moreover, the report noted that the state hospital's mortuary can accommodate only six bodies, forcing staff to place deceased persons on the floor when it reaches capacity. Basic furniture is lacking, with staff resorting to using school chairs in offices. Essential supplies such as pens, electrical adapters, stamps and toilet paper are entirely absent at the Okahandja State Hospital, Aupindi said. Critical infrastructure is broken; patient toilets, operating theatres, pharmacy and rehabilitation doors, and lighting systems are all non-functional. Even basic cleaning equipment like mops are unavailable, making it nearly impossible to maintain hygiene standards.“Why must our own people be punished by a system that was meant to care for them?” Aupindi asked.Health ministry taking action In response to the growing public outcry, Walters Kamaya, the health ministry's spokesperson, confirmed that interviews for medical officers were conducted on 30 July and two doctors will be appointed to serve at Okahandja. He added that interviews for registered nurses are scheduled for this week, with two nurses expected to be deployed to the hospital.Kamaya expressed hope that the necessary funding for these critical positions will be made available to ensure the appointments can proceed without delay.

Okahandja State Hospital in crisis, community demands action

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-03

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Okahandja State Hospital in crisis, community demands action

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-03

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