Delays, poor service endanger Okahandja state patients

Okahandja residents continue to voice their growing frustration over service delivery challenges at the town’s state hospital and Nau-Aib clinic.

Residents cite prolonged waiting times, malfunctioning medical equipment and concerns over staff efficiency.

Several residents who spoke to Namibian Sun recently described arriving at the hospital as early as 05:00, only to wait for several hours before being attended to by doctors.

Patients allege that delays are worsened by equipment shortages, particularly the availability of blood pressure machines.

A source claimed that patients are often left waiting while staff search for or share equipment between departments.

“There are times when patients spend almost the entire day at the hospital because equipment is being moved between wards,” the source said.

Community members have also raised concerns over the conduct of some nurses at the Nau-Aib clinic, accusing staff of spending excessive time on their mobile phones during working hours instead of assisting patients.

The allegations have prompted some residents to call on the health ministry to reconsider the provision of free Wi-Fi to staff, arguing that internet access may be contributing to distractions and slower patient care.

In addition to staff-related concerns, residents said the hospital’s X-ray machine has reportedly been out of service for several months, forcing patients requiring imaging services to seek alternatives elsewhere or endure further delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Long procurement processes

When approached for comment, health ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya said the Okahandja State Hospital has three blood pressure machines allocated across different departments.

“The hospital has one blood pressure machine for wards, one for isolation and one for outpatients," he said.

He admitted, however, that the "outpatient department’s machine was damaged by a violent patient in December last year".

Kamaya said the hospital is currently using the isolation ward’s machine to temporarily cover the outpatient department.

“The procurement process for a replacement blood pressure machine is already underway, with bids set to close on 13 May,” he said. Addressing concerns over the X-ray machine, Kamaya confirmed that the machine broke down on 16 March.

“The damaged component can not be repaired and must be replaced entirely," he said.

"Quotations were obtained, one company has been selected and the procurement process is currently in progress,” he noted.

Despite the ministry’s assurances, residents maintain that the ongoing challenges continue to place a strain on already vulnerable patients, particularly the elderly, children and those with chronic illnesses who rely heavily on the public healthcare system.

Community members are now urging authorities to improve patient flow systems and strengthen staff accountability to restore public confidence in healthcare services at the facility.

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