30 die from kidney failure at Oshakati in a year

The health ministry revealed yesterday that out of 133 patients treated for kidney failure at the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital over the past year, at least 30 patients died from diabetes-related causes.

This was disclosed by health minister Kalumbi Shangula during a symbolic handover of haemodialysis treatment equipment, procured and installed at the hospital by Debmarine Namibia at a cost of N$1.5 million.

Last year, it was reported that the state pays over N$50 million a year to refer patients to private facilities due to a lack of state-owned dialysis centres.

“Available statistics indicate that from April 2023 to April 2024, Oshakati Intermediate Hospital managed 133 new haemodialysis cases,” Shangula said.

“Statistics further indicate that 35 patients have recovered and 38 are being managed as outpatients. However, the hospital had to refer 27 chronic cases to private facilities, [and] three relocated to other regions," the minister said, adding that "sadly, thirty patients succumbed to diabetes-related causes during that period.”

Significant savings

Shangula said the donation of dialysis equipment by Debmarine Namibia complements government's plan to establish a dialysis centre at the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital.

This initiative aims to eliminate the need to refer patients requiring dialysis treatment to private hospitals, which is a costly exercise.

“The ministry is in the process of completing the establishment of a 12-chair dialysis unit here at Oshakati Hospital,” Shangula said.

“The completion of the unit means that our patients who need dialysis care will no longer have to travel long distances to receive the service. It also means that the ministry will realise significant savings by reducing the number of patients who were in the past referred to the private dialysis centres.”

Shangula thanked Debmarine Namibia for their donation and for supporting the health ministry's call for more public-private partnerships.

“This donation is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships to advance healthcare in our country,” the minister said.

‘Every life matters’

In a speech delivered on behalf of Debmarine Namibia CEO Willy Mertens, he said: “At Debmarine Namibia, we believe that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation, and every life matters."

He said the idea to donate equipment to Oshakati Intermediate Hospital originated in 2018, when the company learned about the pressing need for haemodialysis machines at the hospital.

“These haemodialysis machines, I was informed, are vital for treating patients with severe kidney failure, as they perform the essential function of filtering waste, excess fluids and toxins from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do so effectively."

Mertens said it was clear that the machines “are indispensable for maintaining patients’ health and supporting their treatment. As a result, through Debmarine Namibia's social investment fund, we committed in 2018 to provide our support, not foreseeing the 2019 Covid-19 pandemic."

Then, in 2023, the company was able to deliver on its promise by procuring three haemodialysis machines for the hospital.

"The installation and training was completed by the service Genmed technical team, in May 2024," Mertens noted.

[email protected]