Zambezi region: Zambezi Region Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi has reiterated her predecessor's call to upgrade the Katima Mulilo District Hospital to an intermediate hospital. Delivering her State of the Region Address on Wednesday, Kabula-Simushi highlighted the regional population exceeding 142,000 as per the 2023 Population and Housing Census, emphasizing the inadequacy of relying solely on one district hospital, three health centres, 27 primary healthcare clinics, and 51 outreach points.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the governor acknowledged progress in the health sector, including the ongoing N.dollars 9.5 million dental unit, which is 70 percent complete, and the completed dialysis unit that awaits medical equipment. Despite these advancements, Kabula-Simushi underscored the urgent need to upgrade the district hospital to intermediate status.

Kabula-Simushi stated, 'Progress within the Katima Mulilo hospital is notable, but we still call upon the Ministry of Health to prioritise the upgrading of the hospital to intermediate level as many lives have been lost in the process of transferring patients to Rundu or Windhoek.'

Additionally, she reported the successful completion of the Malengalenga clinic construction and the Linyanti Primary Health Care (PHC) upgrade, both of which are set for inauguration in 2024. The renovation of the Isize Primary Health Care was finalised on schedule despite contractor-related delays.

Meanwhile, the Batubaja and Sachona PHC projects are nearing completion, and the previously interrupted construction of the Muzii PHC is back on track with the procurement team finalising tender documentation. Human resources have been strengthened through the filling of 264 healthcare positions, including 188 nurses and 21 medical officers.