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. 

The Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, has advised the public to be cautious following reports of monkeypox cases in South Africa.

In an interview with Nampa, Nangombe emphasized that although there have been no reported cases of MPOX in Namibia, it is still a matter of concern both locally and globally when there is a confirmed outbreak of a disease.

Legal battles and lengthy procurement processes have negatively affected the availability of pharmaceuticals in public health facilities.

This is according to the Health and Social Services Executive Director, who says the battles have over the years disrupted the procurement of medicines, leading to shortages.

The Executive Director was speaking at the Annual National Pharmaceutical Services Forum at Walvis Bay.

It is a platform to discuss critical aspects related to pharmaceutical services.

Otjozondjupa Regional Governor, James Uerikua, has reiterated a call for a referral hospital at Otjiwarongo because of the many accidents happening on the B1 road.

Uerikua was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ombili Clinic at Otjiwarongo.

Otjiwarongo has a population of 220,000 inhabitants, of which 62,000 depend on health services from the Otjiwarongo State Hospital.

The word "dilapidated" is frequently used to describe healthcare facilities throughout the country.

However, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, believes this term is exaggerated.

Nangombe acknowledges that the ministry faces challenges but asserts that it has made substantial progress in upgrading infrastructure over the years.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has finalised some of its directives set out under its National Management Development Forum (NMDF).

One of the directives that is a challenge is the implementation of the performance management system.

The Executive Director of the Ministry, Ben Nangombe, has undertaken some interventions to ensure the full implementation of this directive.

Namibia's cancer rate remains high, calling for a more decentralised approach to improve oncology services.

Namibia currently does not have adequate equipment and machines to treat cancer for state patients.

The current cobalt 60 machine used for radiation therapy has reached its life span and is not operational.

A lack of sufficient oncology services in other regions has also caused backlogs, leaving many patients who travel to Windhoek for treatment frustrated.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it will debar contractors who fail to deliver projects and will implement penalties for late delivery.

Its Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, said this when he presented a report on the ministry's activities at health facilities in Windhoek.

"Contractors who fail us in the implementation of the projects are going to recommend to the policy unit that they are barred from participating in the awarding of new projects. We are also going to enforce the levying of penalties."

The Ministry of Health and Social Services is working diligently to address a water supply issue at Sibbinda Health Centre in Katima Mulilo.

The Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, said this while responding to concerns raised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development, and Family Affairs.

The committee is in the Zambezi Region to assess the conditions and operations at public health facilities.

Namibia is the first high-burden country in the region to successfully apply for triple elimination validation.

A Regional Validation Committee is currently in Namibia to assess the submission for the Path to Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.

The Triple Elimination Initiative supports the global commitment to the elimination of mother-to-child or vertical transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and the Hepatitis B virus.