Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge met with the management of the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital to discuss challenges the hospital faces in delivering high-quality health services. 

As the region strives to commit to and promote health in the region and beyond, there are ups and downs that hinder the delivery of health services to the community.

These challenges include a shortage of nursing staff and doctors, the absence of a district hospital, and difficulties in transporting medication from the medical store to both the hospital and clinics in the region. 

Despite the challenges, the region is making efforts to recruit more doctors and nursing staff. 

The region needs at least 16 doctors, 114 registered nurses, 76 enrolled nurses, 10 social workers and 16 environmental health practitioners. 

But these numbers are still inadequate compared to the demand for health services in the region. 

The region is home to five health centres, 12 clinics and a referral hospital, covering all the northern regions and southern Angola.

After the engagement, a report will be compiled for a possible solution.

"We have to address the challenges the region is facing: shortage of clinics, shortage of health centres, shortage of hospitals, especially a district hospital that the region is advocating for, and they are looking forward to it. And also the arrival of medication on time and the transportation of medicines to 90 centres in the northern regions."

He called on the Ministries of Health and Works to come up with a mechanism to ensure that medicine is delivered to the centres on time.