Katutura hospital unveils N$16.5m dialysis unit
The health ministry officially opened a new dialysis centre worth N$16.5 million at the Katutura State Hospital yesterday.
Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula explained that the ministry had set up a ward with 96 beds during Covid-19 to increase capacity for patients. Part of this building has now been converted into a 16-bed ward serving as a hemodialysis unit.
"The staff training on the Renal Hemodialysis machine was completed on 17 July 2024. The first patient was dialyzed on the same day. The cost of the building was N$2.9 million; the total cost of equipment was N$6.8 million; the water treatment cost was N$2 million and the cost of the chairs amounted to N$4.8 million. The total investment is N$16.5 million," he said.
Great need
Shangula said since assuming the position of health minister, it became clear that the number of patients dependent on dialysis has increased.
However, dialysis services were only available to patients receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICU) at Oshakati and Rundu intermediate hospitals, as well as the Windhoek Central Hospital.
Oshakati Intermediate Hospital had five hemodialysis machines, Windhoek Central had seven, while Rundu had only two, he said.
Eighteen months ago, the ministry decided to establish a dialysis programme in seven strategic hospitals to set up comprehensive, modern, functional and chronic dialysis units at these facilities.
As part of the programme, Oshakati and Katutura intermediate hospitals will each be equipped with 16 machines, Rundu with eight and the district hospitals in Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Otjiwarongo with six each, while Keetmanshoop will be equipped with five.
Vision achieved
Shangula said the Windhoek unit has provided 118 sessions since July, during which 31 patients received dialysis. It is fully operational with three resident nurses, seven dialysis nurses, and three resident nephrologists.
“As the minister of health and social services, I am proud to witness the realisation of this vision," he said.
"I am confident that its impact will be significant. It will affect thousands of people whose health depends on dialysis treatment. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to expanding and improving healthcare services nationwide."
According to the minister, Cabinet has approved a budget to strengthen and improve the delivery of public health services in the country.
The plan will be implemented over five years and involves more than N$16 billion and various areas of service delivery.
“This includes the modernisation of infrastructure and the acquisition of items such as ambulances, medical equipment and recruitment of staff," Shangula explained.
Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula explained that the ministry had set up a ward with 96 beds during Covid-19 to increase capacity for patients. Part of this building has now been converted into a 16-bed ward serving as a hemodialysis unit.
"The staff training on the Renal Hemodialysis machine was completed on 17 July 2024. The first patient was dialyzed on the same day. The cost of the building was N$2.9 million; the total cost of equipment was N$6.8 million; the water treatment cost was N$2 million and the cost of the chairs amounted to N$4.8 million. The total investment is N$16.5 million," he said.
Great need
Shangula said since assuming the position of health minister, it became clear that the number of patients dependent on dialysis has increased.
However, dialysis services were only available to patients receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICU) at Oshakati and Rundu intermediate hospitals, as well as the Windhoek Central Hospital.
Oshakati Intermediate Hospital had five hemodialysis machines, Windhoek Central had seven, while Rundu had only two, he said.
Eighteen months ago, the ministry decided to establish a dialysis programme in seven strategic hospitals to set up comprehensive, modern, functional and chronic dialysis units at these facilities.
As part of the programme, Oshakati and Katutura intermediate hospitals will each be equipped with 16 machines, Rundu with eight and the district hospitals in Katima Mulilo, Walvis Bay and Otjiwarongo with six each, while Keetmanshoop will be equipped with five.
Vision achieved
Shangula said the Windhoek unit has provided 118 sessions since July, during which 31 patients received dialysis. It is fully operational with three resident nurses, seven dialysis nurses, and three resident nephrologists.
“As the minister of health and social services, I am proud to witness the realisation of this vision," he said.
"I am confident that its impact will be significant. It will affect thousands of people whose health depends on dialysis treatment. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to expanding and improving healthcare services nationwide."
According to the minister, Cabinet has approved a budget to strengthen and improve the delivery of public health services in the country.
The plan will be implemented over five years and involves more than N$16 billion and various areas of service delivery.
“This includes the modernisation of infrastructure and the acquisition of items such as ambulances, medical equipment and recruitment of staff," Shangula explained.
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