Transport problem cripples Keetmans hospital

THE Keetmanshoop State Hospital’s car fleet has been grounded since last Friday because the Health Ministry failed to renew vehicle registrations that expired in August.

The hospital’s Nursing Manager, Rosa Hinda, confirmed the lack of transport yesterday, saying it could endanger the lives of patients who needed emergency transport. She said outlying clinics were especially affected.The Keetmanshoop health district has seven primary healthcare clinics – two at Keetmanshoop itself and one each at Berseba, Tses, Aroab, Koës and Bethanie.The Namibian has been informed that hospital drivers do not want to use the vehicles with expired licences, as they have received warnings from the Police and are afraid of becoming involved in an accident with an unlicensed vehicle.The hospital was also in the spotlight recently after the Keetmanshoop Town Council suspended its water supply on several occasions.The Permanent Secretary of Health, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, could not be reached for comment.She said outlying clinics were especially affected.The Keetmanshoop health district has seven primary healthcare clinics – two at Keetmanshoop itself and one each at Berseba, Tses, Aroab, Koës and Bethanie.The Namibian has been informed that hospital drivers do not want to use the vehicles with expired licences, as they have received warnings from the Police and are afraid of becoming involved in an accident with an unlicensed vehicle.The hospital was also in the spotlight recently after the Keetmanshoop Town Council suspended its water supply on several occasions.The Permanent Secretary of Health, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, could not be reached for comment.