‘Insider’ thieves stripping State hospital bare

THEFT is said to be rampant at the Central State Hospital in Windhoek, with hospital staff allegedly stealing public property with impunity.

Concerned staff members told The Namibian that the hospital management and the Health Ministry both appear to be reluctant to take action against those abusing their positions at the hospital.The Namibian was informed that two weeks ago, on September 5, hospital superintendent Dr Sara Shalongo was called to the hospital to buy food for the hungry patients. The past year has seen serious food shortages at the hospital. While others blame the catering company, a hospital source told The Namibian that kitchen staff are stealing food in large quantities and some are suspected of selling the stolen food in Katutura.The Namibian understands that the food and other items are smuggled out of the hospital in ambulances and mortuary vehicles, since these are the only vehicles that are not searched when leaving the hospital grounds. Dr Shalongo refused to comment. About two months ago, 100 mattresses belonging to the State went missing from the hospital. Concerned employees told The Namibian that they called everyone possible to block the removal of the mattresses, but to no avail. The Namibian was informed that the Hospital Control Officer, Jan van Wyk, authorised the transport of the mattresses from the hospital grounds, but the authorisation form did not indicate where they were being moved.Van Wyk said he was not authorised to talk to the media. An employee, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Namibian that they bought one of the mattresses for N$100, as the sale of the mattresses started while they were still on the hospital premises. One employee told The Namibian that they alerted the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr Norbert Foster, and the Secretary to Cabinet, Frans Kapofi, about the mattresses when the alleged culprits started selling them. Kapofi said he is awaiting feedback from the Chief of Police, as he had asked for a team of officers to be sent to the hospital to investigate. Foster said the Ministry was aware of the mattresses and had instructed the hospital management to take action and submit a report to explain what had happened.He had no knowledge of the food and other issues raised by The Namibian.Between Monday September 7 and Tuesday 8 September, rolls of wire from the hospital fence were stolen. The fence had been dismantled in order to be replaced with a new one.The Namibian was informed that the wire was removed from the hospital grounds by a government vehicle. When it was discovered that the wire was missing, security staff told the Police who the driver of the vehicle was, but the Police allegedly kept insisting they that they wanted the GRN registration number of the car. tileni@namibian.com.na