The Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services says that as part of the ministry's effort to strengthen the public health system, they have taken a decision to set up intensive care units in district hospitals countrywide.
Ben Nangombe said this at the donation handover of medical equipment worth N$1 million from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund to the Central Health Hospital on Friday.
Nangombe revealed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, they only had about 20 ICU beds in the public sector.
"Now that we have decided to put ICU beds in all the district hospitals and this project has started, at the end of the day, the public sector is going to have more than 200 ICU beds in the whole country, meaning that when this type of care is required, when MVA needs to transport a patient, there will be an ICU facility wherever the accident happened, so we don't need to airlift people to bring them here; they will receive ICU care wherever."
The Executive Director welcomed the donation of medical equipment worth N$1.1 million.
The equipment includes a diathermy machine, suction unit, and monitor, which would be used in the emergency theatre surgical unit ICU.
Nangombe noted that the issues of emergency care and trauma care are the cornerstones of the country's health systems, as they should be able to deal with emergencies.
"As a ministry, we view this as a priority to strengthen emergency services; it's important for patient care; and it's important to strengthen the public health system. It's a priority to strengthen emergency services, and it's important to strengthen the health sector. Your support for those who own the facility is important. We appreciate the equipment we are receiving from MVA."
MVA Fund, through its Chief Operations Officer, pledged to continue supporting the health ministry in strengthening the public health sector.
Phillip Nghifitikeko explained that many of their clients, at some point in their rehabilitation journey, would find themselves accessing public health facilities for crucial care, hence their support.
"Towards the end of last year, the fund was pledged to Revamp for two theatres and two ICUs in Windhoek Central Hospital, as well as two theatres at Katutura Hospital. The Fund further undertook to review needs in the orthopaedic wards to determine further assistance in the short to medium term."
The partnership between the MVA Fund and the Ministry of Health relates back to past joint projects such as the training of doctors and nurses and the revamping of the Katutura Emergency Unit, among others.