Government intends to establish public sector dialysis units at the Windhoek Central and Oshakati Intermediate hospitals as well as at the Keetmanshoop, Swakopmund, Rundu and Katima Mulilo State hospitals.

This was revealed by Health and Social Services Minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula in Parliament recently while responding to questions asked by Popular Democratic Movement member of parliament Reggie Diergaardt.

Diergaardt wanted to know the eligibility of patients receiving dialysis services according to their age.

To this Shangula said the ministry provides specialised services through its referral hospitals, and where it has limited capacity, it contracts out services to the private sector. Such specialised services include the provision of dialysis.

He explained that the private providers for dialysis are mainly in urban centres such as Windhoek, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop and Ongwediva.

Shangula said Government currently provides for limited dialysis at the Windhoek Central Hospital and the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, noting that the ministry is implementing a nationwide dialysis programme, while steps have been taken to create dialysis capacity.

Four dialysis chairs, he further explained l, are included for installation with the extension of the Katutura Intermediate Hospital Tuberculosis Unit.

Similarly, a contract has been awarded for the refurbishment of a unit to accommodate 12 dialysis chairs at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital.

“The development of a dialysis unit at Rundu State Hospital is being undertaken with the upgrading of its Intensive Care Units. These interventions will alleviate the challenges faced by patients who would otherwise have to be referred to other facilities for care,” he said.

Shangula said the establishment of dialysis units goes beyond the availability of physical space and procurement of machinery and consumables.

Another critical aspect he highlighted is the availability of well-trained and qualified human resources.

The minister further informed the House that in order to run a successful dialysis unit, there is a need to have a dedicated physician, a nephrologist, dialysis nurses and nutritionists among other professional cadres.

At present there are only two nephrologists in the public sector who were funded by the government to undergo training, he said, adding that with an increase in population, the demand for dialysis is also going up.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency