N$22m needed for corona hospital

ILENI NANDJATO ONGWEDIVAThe Oshana regional leadership has submitted a N$22.4 million budget for a temporary hospital.The region successfully converted the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre into a temporary hospital to manage coronavirus cases, with a capacity to accommodate over 200 patients, while the ICU ward at the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital has also been prepared.The region however now needs N$22.4 million to fully equip the hospital.Chief regional officer Martin Elago said a regional task force, consisting of seven subcommittees, came up with the budget.Resources neededOf the amount budgeted, N$6.5 million will go to personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical staff, while N$5.4 million is for clinical care and N$2.7 million for other medical equipment, Elago said.“The regional task force team has been working around the clock, coming up with a detailed budget consisting of the equipment needed, their quantities and costing as well,” Elago said.“At the moment our total budget is standing at N$22.4 million, but needs are developing on a daily basis and the budget may change at any time.”The new hospital needs medical equipment such as beds, blood pressure machines and ventilators.Regional governor Elia Irimari said the Valombola Vocational Training Centre will fix more than 70 hospital beds for the temporary hospital. Elago could not say how much had been budgeted for training. However, the region is reported to have trained 600 people, including volunteers.He said the budget also allows for stipends for volunteers, who use their own money for transport and food.“This budget was finalised last week and we have communicated it to the central government to secure resources in order to fully equip the hospital,” Elago said.The facility will be divided into three sections: The Queen Hall, a patient treating area with four wards, the KK Hall, an isolation ward, and the Headman Hall, a storeroom.

N$22m needed for corona hospital

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-13

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N$22m needed for corona hospital

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-13

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