The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) says it needs N$60 million to construct a specialised bunker to house the necessary nuclear technology equipment to establish a fully functional cancer treatment centre at Oshakati.
According to MoHSS Minister Kalumbi Shangula, the only existing radiotherapy centre is in Windhoek. This poses a challenge for patients who must travel long distances to receive treatment. “We do have the equipment, but it needs to be housed in what we call a bunker. This is a significant expense, in the region of N$60 million,” he explained. Shangula also expressed concern over the increasing number of cancer cases in Namibia. He emphasised the importance of making cancer treatment technology more accessible to Namibians. “The number of cancer cases in Namibia is on the rise, and it’s a significant concern for the Ministry. Therefore, we are doing everything possible to ensure that our people can access the technology that is already available globally,” he said. Shangula further explained that Namibia has been utilising nuclear technology for diagnosing and staging cancer. This is crucial as it helps determine the best course of treatment for each patient. He added that nuclear technology is also used in agriculture for tasks such as checking groundwater and disinfecting food. “There is a wide application of nuclear technology both in the health sector and in other areas of socio-economic development in Namibia,” he said. This announcement comes as Namibia could potentially become a hub for nuclear energy production. Companies such as Rosatom Central and Headspring Investments are considering constructing nuclear plants in Namibia.
