The Mariental State Hospital has been experiencing shortages of medical oxygen since June, after an explosion at the oxygen plant.

The information came to light when the Minister of Health and Social Services, Esperance Luvindao, was responding to a concern raised by IPC MP Lilani Brinkman regarding the shortage at the hospital.

Brinkman questioned why the Ministry had remained silent regarding future plans and the current situation. "We have come across reports indicating that the Ministry has spent more than N$100,000 in the interim to attempt to provide oxygen. There have also been reports of patients losing their lives due to a lack of available oxygen, and this situation has persisted for more than three to four months."

Dr Luvindao stated that the matter was treated as an emergency, with the suppliers having returned to the facility in Mariental on the 9th of June.

However, in July, a quotation for major servicing was issued as there were repeated requests for maintenance of the particular plant that the supplier could not address.

She said on the 30th of July, an agreement was made to find a long-term solution, as the plant began to present multiple challenges and operational issues.

"On the 7th of August, 2026, the Procurement Committee reviewed the request from both regional leadership and national executives. Amendments were made on the 12th of August to the designated parties responsible for this decentralisation. This was subsequently reflected in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) dated 21st August 2026. The new SLA stipulated that a different company would manage the issues concerning the oxygen plant, ensuring that the underlying problems could be addressed rather than merely providing superficial maintenance repairs."

After switching off the plant, the hospital has become reliant on oxygen cylinders, which are being replenished on a need basis as a temporary solution.