Oshakati doctors beg for gloves
TUYEIMO HAIDULA
OSHAKATI
Oshakati State Hospital doctors have resorted to begging for surgical gloves after a four-month shortage.
The health workers in theatre are not the only ones affected by the shortage, but those working in the Covid-19 ward too.
Namibian Sun has also learned that the hospital does not have the required surgical scrubs for doctors and nurses performing surgery.
“Imagine being in theatre with no gloves. Doctors are coming in with their own gloves. Some are going to zulla [beg] from wherever,” the source said, pleading for help from the health ministry.
The hospital, which is one of the busiest in the country as the main referral hospital for five northern regions, has been falling apart in recent years and those working there feel abandoned.
No oxygen
One of the doctors, who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity, said the ventilators in the intensive care unit and the premature unit are failing and the situation has become critical.
The hospital is entering its fourth week without oxygen after the oxygen system collapsed due to lack of service. The hospital has been unable to perform surgery that needs general anaesthesia.
The hospital is yet to get an oxygen tank supply and has been relying on cylinders in the meantime.
The Oshikuku hospital has been assisting Oshakati with urgent surgical cases.
Oshana regional health director Johanna Haimene earlier this month explained that the oxygen system was overwhelmed by the huge influx of patients needing oxygen.
Haimene said the oxygen shortage, which was now a national issue, would only be solved if Namibians start adhering to the Covid-19 regulations and reduce the pressure on hospitals.
Oshakati hospital acting medical superintendent Asumani Kibandwa on Thursday said he was in a meeting and has not responded to a text message sent to him.
OSHAKATI
Oshakati State Hospital doctors have resorted to begging for surgical gloves after a four-month shortage.
The health workers in theatre are not the only ones affected by the shortage, but those working in the Covid-19 ward too.
Namibian Sun has also learned that the hospital does not have the required surgical scrubs for doctors and nurses performing surgery.
“Imagine being in theatre with no gloves. Doctors are coming in with their own gloves. Some are going to zulla [beg] from wherever,” the source said, pleading for help from the health ministry.
The hospital, which is one of the busiest in the country as the main referral hospital for five northern regions, has been falling apart in recent years and those working there feel abandoned.
No oxygen
One of the doctors, who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity, said the ventilators in the intensive care unit and the premature unit are failing and the situation has become critical.
The hospital is entering its fourth week without oxygen after the oxygen system collapsed due to lack of service. The hospital has been unable to perform surgery that needs general anaesthesia.
The hospital is yet to get an oxygen tank supply and has been relying on cylinders in the meantime.
The Oshikuku hospital has been assisting Oshakati with urgent surgical cases.
Oshana regional health director Johanna Haimene earlier this month explained that the oxygen system was overwhelmed by the huge influx of patients needing oxygen.
Haimene said the oxygen shortage, which was now a national issue, would only be solved if Namibians start adhering to the Covid-19 regulations and reduce the pressure on hospitals.
Oshakati hospital acting medical superintendent Asumani Kibandwa on Thursday said he was in a meeting and has not responded to a text message sent to him.
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