A lack of well-equipped ambulances in the Kavango East Region compromises timely medical assistance to patients in remote areas. 

This was shared by the Chief Medical Officer at the Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Dr. Medson Chibwe, with members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health.

"If we look at these nine ambulances currently, as we stand here now, we only have three which are currently running, and out of those three, only two can travel to Windhoek, and these are the ones we received with the recent bunch of ambulances."

Dr. Chibwe said three ambulances are too few to cover the vast area of Rundu district, let alone the poor road infrastructure in some parts of the district.

This has led to delays in emergency response and increased risks for residents who may need urgent care. 

Another concern raised is the make of the ambulances.

"The bakkies can only run on the tarred road; they cannot get inland, and those ambulances are not equipped at all; they came without equipment. If you have to strengthen our emergency services, how will we strengthen the patient being transported?"

Vice Chairperson Helena Muteka of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health stated that the shortage of ambulances requires attention.

"We really hope that the Ministry of Health can start taking these things seriously, and we also want to move into the line of looking at regional leadership really taking it into the line of leadership. You find small things that can be taken care of on the regional level that don't necessarily need the approval or the waiting from the central government."