Engela Hospital continues to record an increase in Malaria cases, with over 1,500 reported since January.
 
This was revealed during the familiarisation tour to the hospital by the Ohangwena Governor, Kadiva Hamutumwa.

Among the 1,570 cases, a total of 1,104 cases were recorded among non-local patients, while 466 were local.
 
The hospital recorded three deaths, while 331 patients were admitted.
 
May recorded the highest number of 671 infections, as the surge continues.

Ohangwena Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa proposed for the Engela District Hospital to be upgraded to an intermediate hospital.
 
She said patients are now referred to Oshakati for specialised treatment, which delay access to critical healthcare services and places an additional burden on patients and their families.

The governor was also briefed on a shortage of certain medications, particularly anti-hypertensive drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
 
Engela District Hospital serves about 188,149 people.
 
The district has one hospital, 17 clinics, and 51 outreach points.