Zambezi renews call to upgrade Katima Mulilo hospital
Over 140 000 people rely on one district hospital for care
Despite recent upgrades to primary healthcare facilities, the Zambezi Region remains without an intermediate hospital — a gap local authorities say is costing lives and stretching an already burdened health system
The Zambezi Region has once again called on the Ministry of Health and Social Services to upgrade the Katima Mulilo District Hospital to an intermediate-level facility, citing continued loss of lives during emergency patient transfers to distant hospitals in Rundu and Windhoek.
Delivering her State of the Region Address on Thursday, the region’s newly appointed governor said that despite recent improvements at the hospital, a critical gap remains in the region’s healthcare system.
“Progress within the Katima Mulilo Hospital is notable,” the governor said. “But we still call upon the Ministry of Health to prioritise the upgrading of the hospital to intermediate level, as many lives have been lost in the process of transferring patients.”
Current hospital cannot handle complex cases
Katima Mulilo Hospital is currently the region’s only district-level facility, serving a population of more than 142 000.
It is supported by three health centres, 27 clinics, and 51 outreach points. However, without intermediate-level services, the hospital cannot handle complex medical cases, often requiring long and costly referrals.
Despite this challenge, the region has seen health infrastructure improvements.
Construction of a new dental unit at Katima Mulilo Hospital—valued at N$9.56 million—is underway, with progress currently at 7% completion.
A dialysis unit has also been completed and is awaiting the installation of specialised equipment.
Elsewhere, the Linyanti Primary Health Care (PHC) facility was successfully upgraded and inaugurated.
The Malangalenga Clinic was also completed and officially opened during the year under review, while the Isiza PHC facility underwent renovations, despite contractor-related delays.
Other facilities nearing completion include the Tubaja and Satchona PHC centres, while work on the Muzi PHC project, previously interrupted, is back on track with tender documentation being finalised.
Staffing levels improved to strengthen service delivery
The governor reported that 264 healthcare positions had been filled over the past year, including 188 nurses and 21 medical officers, aimed at strengthening service delivery across the region.
Despite these gains, the governor stressed that the absence of an intermediate hospital continues to endanger lives. “Without local access to advanced care, patients often face long, costly, and dangerous journeys for treatment elsewhere,” she said.
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Delivering her State of the Region Address on Thursday, the region’s newly appointed governor said that despite recent improvements at the hospital, a critical gap remains in the region’s healthcare system.
“Progress within the Katima Mulilo Hospital is notable,” the governor said. “But we still call upon the Ministry of Health to prioritise the upgrading of the hospital to intermediate level, as many lives have been lost in the process of transferring patients.”
Current hospital cannot handle complex cases
Katima Mulilo Hospital is currently the region’s only district-level facility, serving a population of more than 142 000.
It is supported by three health centres, 27 clinics, and 51 outreach points. However, without intermediate-level services, the hospital cannot handle complex medical cases, often requiring long and costly referrals.
Despite this challenge, the region has seen health infrastructure improvements.
Construction of a new dental unit at Katima Mulilo Hospital—valued at N$9.56 million—is underway, with progress currently at 7% completion.
A dialysis unit has also been completed and is awaiting the installation of specialised equipment.
Elsewhere, the Linyanti Primary Health Care (PHC) facility was successfully upgraded and inaugurated.
The Malangalenga Clinic was also completed and officially opened during the year under review, while the Isiza PHC facility underwent renovations, despite contractor-related delays.
Other facilities nearing completion include the Tubaja and Satchona PHC centres, while work on the Muzi PHC project, previously interrupted, is back on track with tender documentation being finalised.
Staffing levels improved to strengthen service delivery
The governor reported that 264 healthcare positions had been filled over the past year, including 188 nurses and 21 medical officers, aimed at strengthening service delivery across the region.
Despite these gains, the governor stressed that the absence of an intermediate hospital continues to endanger lives. “Without local access to advanced care, patients often face long, costly, and dangerous journeys for treatment elsewhere,” she said.
[email protected]
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