Plans are on the cards to revive the construction of Nkurenkuru Hospital in the Kavango West Region.
Construction has been delayed for more than 11 years.
Health Director for the Kavango West Region Fransiska Hamuteny explained.
“We were supposed to start with phase two, which never took place, and according to the MTEF back then, it had those phases of an Outpatient Department, a casualty, a pharmacy, and some wards. What is the status of the fence currently? The place is fenced off, but it is vandalised.”
A draft feasibility study has been finalised and is currently under review.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the region's urgent health needs.
The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Suzan Ndjaleka paid a visit to the region.
"Your visit really comes with very positive and high hopes for the people and inhabitants of the Kavango West Region. We therefore respectfully appeal to the Ministry and the government to prioritise and accelerate the implementation and construction of the hospital. The reason we are giving our regional statistics is to show what infrastructure we currently have in the region and to ask whether it is sufficient. Can it really cater for this growing population?”
There is no functional mortuary in Nkurenkuru, and the mortuary at Nankudu District Hospital has limited capacity.
The town also does not have a mortuary van.
Ndjaleka also shared her observations.
"I want to make it clear before we leave that I will go through these issues with the Regional Health Director, because I also see a gap there. Thank you for allowing us to look at how best we can provide feedback. Ultimately, any solutions we come up with will be discussed and agreed upon in consultation with the Chief Regional Officer, the Planning Division, and the Regional Health Directorate.”
Kavango West has 29 public health facilities and one private health facility.
These include one district hospital, seven health centers with six operating 24 hours, and 21 clinics.
Integrated services are provided at all health facilities, while minor surgical operations are conducted at Nankudu District Hospital.