The Engela Hospital has received 14 medical doctors to address the backlog in service delivery.

This development is hoped to shorten, if not alleviate, the patient's waiting period.

The Engela Hospital is the largest in the Ohangwena Region, serving a large catchment population of 180,000 people.

Over the past years, the hospital has been operating with only five doctors, resulting in patients spending many hours in the queue or sometimes even going back home without being attended to.

Recently, a group of 12 medical doctors, including two specialists, were recruited to address the shortage of doctors.

The Ohangwena Health Director, John Hango, says the filling of medical officer posts has significantly improved service delivery at the district hospital.

According to the Senior Medical Officer in charge of the hospital, Matti Kandjimi, the recruitment of additional doctors has eased the pressure on doctors.

The doctor-patient ratio has now been drastically reduced from 36,000 to 16 patients.

Due to its geographical location, the hospital also serves Angolan nationals living across the border.

Some patients who regularly visit the hospital also expressed their satisfaction with the service delivery following the appointment of additional medical officers.