Rundu’s N$53m maternity ward woes continue
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
The high demand for medical gas equipment experienced by an international supplier has resulted in a further delay in the operation of the N$53 million state-of-the-art Rundu maternity ward – the doors of which remain closed six months after the building was inaugurated.
The situation has resulted in local women giving birth in the old, overcrowded maternity ward while enduring the winter cold.
This was confirmed by Rundu State Hospital medical superintendent Joseph Mukerenge, who yesterday told Namibian Sun that the company contracted to do the installation of an oxygen bank is experiencing challenges in terms of procuring equipment to set up the oxygen generator for the newly constructed ward.
“We’re still waiting for the same thing. The company is struggling because of Covid-19. The things are coming from abroad for the plant to be assembled,” he explained.
“They are saying their aim is by end of June to have it here. The problem is the company which is producing the thing is also overwhelmed with too many orders as a result of the pandemic.
“So basically the problem is from where the thing is coming from and the company supposed to deliver [placed] their order [a] long time ago, but the company abroad is taking long to deliver.”
Meanwhile, Mukerenge said the local contractor has not been paid yet as payment will only be done once the oxygen bank is up and running.
Sleeping in corridors
Asked about the conditions of the current maternity ward, Mukerenge said the situation has not changed as women continue to sleep on shared mattresses in corridors.
Namibian Sun for years has reported on how healthcare workers and women who gave birth at the hospital claim that the situation is unbearable.
The old maternity ward has only 30 beds but often accommodates double that number, resulting in women lying on mattresses on the floor.
However, the new maternity ward consists of two theatres, postnatal and antenatal wards, a neonatal unit, an isolation unit, mothers’ lodges, offices and consulting rooms.
The new ward, built at a cost of N$53 million, was inaugurated by health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula days before last year’s November elections.
At the time of the inauguration, it was alleged to be an election ploy.
[email protected]
RUNDU
The high demand for medical gas equipment experienced by an international supplier has resulted in a further delay in the operation of the N$53 million state-of-the-art Rundu maternity ward – the doors of which remain closed six months after the building was inaugurated.
The situation has resulted in local women giving birth in the old, overcrowded maternity ward while enduring the winter cold.
This was confirmed by Rundu State Hospital medical superintendent Joseph Mukerenge, who yesterday told Namibian Sun that the company contracted to do the installation of an oxygen bank is experiencing challenges in terms of procuring equipment to set up the oxygen generator for the newly constructed ward.
“We’re still waiting for the same thing. The company is struggling because of Covid-19. The things are coming from abroad for the plant to be assembled,” he explained.
“They are saying their aim is by end of June to have it here. The problem is the company which is producing the thing is also overwhelmed with too many orders as a result of the pandemic.
“So basically the problem is from where the thing is coming from and the company supposed to deliver [placed] their order [a] long time ago, but the company abroad is taking long to deliver.”
Meanwhile, Mukerenge said the local contractor has not been paid yet as payment will only be done once the oxygen bank is up and running.
Sleeping in corridors
Asked about the conditions of the current maternity ward, Mukerenge said the situation has not changed as women continue to sleep on shared mattresses in corridors.
Namibian Sun for years has reported on how healthcare workers and women who gave birth at the hospital claim that the situation is unbearable.
The old maternity ward has only 30 beds but often accommodates double that number, resulting in women lying on mattresses on the floor.
However, the new maternity ward consists of two theatres, postnatal and antenatal wards, a neonatal unit, an isolation unit, mothers’ lodges, offices and consulting rooms.
The new ward, built at a cost of N$53 million, was inaugurated by health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula days before last year’s November elections.
At the time of the inauguration, it was alleged to be an election ploy.
[email protected]
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