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Friday, February 17, 2006 - Web posted at 7:19:17 GMT Keetmanshoop State Hospital out of steam * LUQMAN CLOETETHE coal-powered boilers at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital have been out of action for the past six months because the Health Ministry struggles to provide coal to keep the boilers running. |
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The autoclave used to sterilise surgical equipment depends on the steam produced by the boiler machine. The Namibian has established that surgical tools are transported to the Luederitz State Hospital twice a week to be sterilised. The boiler breakdown also means that hot water cannot be provided to any sections of the hospital, except where electric geysers have been installed. Patients just have to bath in cold water, a source within the hospital said. When approached for comment, the Regional Health Director for Karas, Pume Katjiuajo, said there is "simply no money" for providing coal. Katjiuajo said his ministry was phasing out equipment dependent on boilers. "But this will cost the ministry millions," he added. The Namibian has learnt that the Health Ministry allocated a tender for the provision of coal to a black empowerment company, but that company withdrew because of the high cost of importing coal. Coal costs about N$200 a ton, and the hospital's boilers use about 132 tons a year. The Namibian has it on good authority that the Health Ministry has budgeted approximately N$1,5 million to purchase and transport charcoal to Keetmanshoop this year. The Health Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said that the boiler breakdown had not been reported to his office. |
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