The ongoing shortage of medicine in public health facilities has sparked concern from the public, with some patients reportedly having to buy pharmaceuticals themselves.

Members of the National Council (NC) have raised concerns regarding challenges affecting different regions, such as access to health facilities, shortage of medical staff and the need for improved services in rural and remote areas.

The MPs were contributing to the Health and Social Services budget.

The government says progress is on track in upgrading health facilities across the country for both public servants and members of the public, particularly those making use of medical aid services.

Youth unemployment, tribalism, the modernisation of agriculture, and the use of state health facilities dominated discussions between President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and a delegation from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) led by its president, McHenry Venaani, at State House.
 

Rainwater from a leaking roof flooded parts of Mariental State Hospital.

Videos of the water leakage, showing nurses mopping up rainwater, circulated widely on social media.

The NBC News team reached out to Hardap Health Directorate Regional Director Yvonne Stephanus, who declined to comment.

The Minister of Health and Social Services says the Zambezi Region has faced daunting challenges in terms of health facilities, especially referrals of patients more than 500 kilometres away for specialised medical care.

Employees of various companies and trades that the nbc News team spoke to are calling on the government to show its appreciation to its workers by offering gifts or lunch packs. 

Health facilities in the |Khomas Region can no longer meet the demands of the ever-growing population.

The Chief Occupational Therapist in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Kirsten Muesee, says more health facilities are needed.

MPs in the National Council are calling for an urgent intervention to address the appalling state of the health facilities across the country, describing it as shocking.

The Health and Social Services Minister, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula says the controversial condom tender is set to solve problems in the country’s health facilities and mitigate the current challenges of critical medical equipment.