New state dialysis unit for Keetmanshoop

Keetmanshoop District Hospital in the ||Kharas region will be home to a new N$7.3 million public dialysis unit.

This means residents of Keetmanshoop and surrounding towns facing challenges with renal disease will not have to travel as far anymore.

||Kharas regional health director Sandra Owoses says the establishment of the dialysis unit at Keetmanshoop is aimed at providing accessible, life-saving treatment for chronic kidney failure in the region and to reduce the need for patients to travel to Windhoek.

Owoses describes this as a significant milestone in strengthening healthcare services and improving access to essential renal care for patients in the ||Kharas region.

“Construction of the unit was completed in late 2024, followed by equipment procurement. The unit features five dialysis machines, and is part of a national strategy to reduce travel distances for patients and alleviate pressure on central hospitals,” she says.

Owoses says the establishment of the unit forms part of a larger Ministry of Health and Social Services initiative to decentralise care, which includes new units at Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Otjiwarongo.

“The Katutura Intermediate Hospital facility was officially inaugurated on 11 September 2024, and Oshakati Hospital celebrated its inauguration on 4 October 2024. Today will be the ||Kharas region’s inauguration,” says the regional director.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.