Seven of eight kitchen pots at Oshakati hospital ‘broken since 2010’

Seven of the eight cooking pots at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital’s kitchen have allegedly been out of order since 2010, worsening in January this year and leaving staff and patients increasingly frustrated.On Sunday, two kitchen workers sustained burn injuries while using unstable pots, raising fresh concerns about safety in the hospital’s catering section, sources told Namibian Sun.The faulty equipment has hampered food preparation, with claims that some meals have fallen on the kitchen floor before being served to patients. The company contracted to provide catering services has denied this, but kitchen staff insist otherwise.Hospital, contractor point fingersOshakati medical superintendent Dr Ruben Kanime said his office had not received any official report about broken pots or staff injuries. “My office did not receive any report with regard to pots or cooks burned on duty. However, I will look into the matter,” he said.Kanime explained that catering and kitchen equipment maintenance fall under Stream Two Properties CC, the contractor running food services at the hospital.“The catering service is outsourced. It is therefore advisable to contact the management of that company. However, we will look into the matter in terms of contract management,” Kanime said.Stream Two, based in Omuthiya, secured a N$154 million contract in April 2024 to provide catering services in the Oshikoto and Oshana regions.Stream Two’s operations manager, Benny Haupindi, said the company had informed Oshakati hospital management about the broken pots but was told there was no budget to replace them. “This is not our responsibility – ours is only to maintain,” he said.Kanime disputed the claim, insisting the contractor has a duty to maintain and repair equipment. “If they are unhappy, why didn’t they complain during the tender? They have a supervisor in the kitchen every day. They failed to do due diligence,” he said, adding a meeting will be called to remind the company of its obligations.Conflicting accountsKitchen sources alleged that after Sunday’s accident, meat that fell to the floor was served to patients. Haupindi rejected this, saying the chicken was discarded. “That meat was thrown away. Even environmental inspectors would not have allowed it to be consumed,” he said.He added that previous contractors also found the pots in poor condition, and Stream Two had repeatedly raised the issue with management.Contract obligationsA copy of the contract seen by Namibian Sun states that suppliers must verify and maintain all kitchen equipment, draw up an inventory with hospital officials before work begins, and assume full responsibility for correct use, upkeep, and safekeeping.The agreement further stipulates that negligence or misuse of equipment falls squarely on the supplier and that facilities may not be used for purposes other than catering unless approved in writing.As frustration grows among staff and patients, questions remain about accountability for equipment that has allegedly been dysfunctional for more than a decade.tuyeimo@nmh-hub.com.na

Seven of eight kitchen pots at Oshakati hospital ‘broken since 2010’

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-02

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Seven of eight kitchen pots at Oshakati hospital ‘broken since 2010’

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-02

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