Windhoek Central Hospital overwhelmed

THE Windhoek Central Hospital has had once again to convert some corridors as wards after the number of patients shot over the 855 bed capacity.

When The Namibian visited the hospital on Wednesday, there were five patients housed in Ward Three West corridor, while two others were sleeping on mattresses on the floor.

The hospital’s acting medical superintendent, Dr Sarah Shalongo, admitted to that the hospital is overwhelmed and struggling with an influx of patients.

“We have a bed capacity of 855, but the hospital finds itself admitting over a 1 000 patients, ” she said.

Although has reported on numerous occasions that the two hospitals are struggling with an influx of patients and that the institutions cannot accommodate any more, it appears nothing has been done to date.

There are two state hospitals in Windhoek – the Katutura Intermediate Hospital and the Windhoek Central Hospital. The city has about 380 000 people. The Katutura Intermediate Hospital is the only referral centre.

Last week, also reported that plans for a proposed district hospital for Khomas that has been on the cards for about 10 years hang in balance despite the budget being set aside.

Shalongo expressed concern with the delay of the proposed hospital, saying they have also on numerous occasions emphasised the need for such a hospital to reduce pressure on the two hospitals.

Katutura Intermediate Hospital medical superintendent Dr Nelago Amagulu last year said although the hospital – operational since 1973 – has a capacity of 830 they sometimes take up to 840.

“As the only admitting facility, whatever case needs admission from a public facility is sent here. They all come here. Not only those referred from Khomas, but also from all other regions as well, ” Amagulu stressed at the time.

She also pointed out that Katutura refers some patients to the central hospital for specialised services.

According to a 2014 road map provided by the health ministry, the hospital is one of four, with the others being planned for Rundu, Swakopmund and Onandjokwe.

The budget for the Windhoek hospital this financial year is N$30 million, while in the last financial year, government set aside N$10,5 million. A further N$20 million has been reserved for the project for the 2017/18 financial year.

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