The Ministry of Health and Social Services has allocated over N$560 million to fund key projects and evaluate the performance of strategic departments.
While presenting the budget motivation, Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula said particular attention would be paid to planning policy coordination and support, including human resource development and performance management, health financing and infrastructure development.
He said the Ministry is constructing Intensive Care Units at Windhoek Central Hospital for children.
Intensive Care Units will also be established or expanded at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Gobabis District Hospital, and Mariental District Hospital.
Shangula said the Ministry continues to expand and modernise health facilities to facilitate access to health services.
“In the next financial year, Intensive Care Units will be constructed at Engela, Nankudu and Opuwo District Hospitals. The Ministry is constructing Dialysis Units at Katutura, Oshakati and Rundu Intermediate Hospitals, and Keetmanshoop District Hospital,” said the Minister.
“Further Dialysis Units will also be constructed at Walvis Bay and Otjiwarongo District Hospitals. The construction of the new Central Medical Stores and the Khomas District Hospital in Windhoek is set to commence during the 2023/2024 FY.”
Similarly, infrastructure upgrading projects are being implemented at Keetmanshoop and Katima Mulilo District Hospitals.
Shangula said this budget allocation will go a long way to support the implementation of critical programmes and activities of the Ministry.
“We are grateful to our development co-operation partners, private sector and non-governmental organizations, for their support in different areas. We will continue to ensure prudent utilisation of resources placed at our disposal as evidenced by unqualified Audit Report during the last three Financial Years, following many years of qualified audits,” he asserted.
This comes as the Ministry’s total budget allocation amounted to N$9.6 billion and N$298 million for the capital budget for the 2023/2024 Financial Year.
“Since Namibia gained her independence, the Government has constructed 75 Primary Health Care Clinics; 6 Health Centers; and 4 District Hospitals. Additionally, 20 isolation facilities were constructed across Namibia.”
Furthermore, he said a number of clinics were completed, while construction is ongoing at Epupa and Okondjatu in Kunene; Onamafila and Oshikulufitu in Ohangwena; Shamaturu in Kavango East; Malengalenga, Linyanti and Muzii in Zambezi; Gcaruhwa in Kavango West and Aussenkehr Health Centre in //Kharas Region.
Meanwhile, the Minster noted that renovation and expansion works are underway involving eight hospital components, namely: “Katutura Intermediate Hospital Emergency Care Unit, Keetmanshoop District Hospital TB Ward, Onandjokwe Hospital Maternity Ward and Swakopmund Hospital Neonatal Unit.”
Similarly, the Ministry, with assistance from development cooperation partners, installed oxygen-generating systems at Katima Mulilo, Mariental, Gobabis, Onandjokwe, Nkurenkuru and Walvis Bay State Hospitals.
“Bulk oxygen tanks were installed at Gobabis Hospital Infectious Diseases Unit, Grootfontein Hospital, Swakopmund and Katutura Intermediate Hospital.
Oxygen-generating plants for Okahao, Eenhana, Okongo and Andarra District Hospitals are to be installed early in the new Financial Year. The Ministry is planning to procure medical oxygen generating systems for the remainder of the 27 public hospitals,” said Shangula.
In terms of human resource development, the Ministry has expanded internship capacity for all professions for which internship is prescribed.
“Medical internship is offered at Windhoek Central Hospital, Intermediate Hospitals Oshakati, Katutura, Rundu, and Onandjokwe; and Swakopmund/Walvis Bay Complex. The accredited positions for medical internship have increased from 330 to 612,” he said.
Due to the increase, Shangula said the Ministry was able to absorb all 315 medical graduates for their first-year medical internship programme across most teaching facilities.
“The improved capacity involves expansion of infrastructure, recruitment of health professionals and procurement of diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment. Other interns who started internships during the year under review are 45 pharmacy interns; 19 dental interns; 9 occupational therapy interns; 4 physiotherapy interns; and 2 clinical psychology interns,” he said.
In terms of other budget expectations for the Ministry, N$8.8 billion has been set aside for provision of a broad range of services for in-patient and out-patient health care services.
Furthermore, “acquisition of essential medicines and clinical services; and expansion of specialised services and equipment necessary for the delivery of quality public health care services. Particular emphasis will be placed on replacement of redundant medical equipment over the MTEF period.”
Other programmes include, the Health System Planning and Management that is allocated N$46 million, Public Health System aimed at reducing incidence of diseases and disability was allocated N$162 million, and the Developmental Social Welfare received N$23 million.
