Staff Reporter
THE Tukwathela Maternal Waiting Shelter is now fully operational, nearly four years after its inauguration, with the Ministry of Health and Social Services officially taking over its management to improve care for pregnant women.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, said the move marks a significant step towards ensuring women and children have access to equitable and quality healthcare services. She noted that the facility, despite being fully equipped, remained unused for years due to bureaucratic delays, while expectant mothers were forced to wait in poor conditions nearby.
Photos: Ministry of Health and Social Services Namibia
“This care has been greatly delayed for nearly four years, with a fully equipped maternal waiting home locked, while next door, women waited on the floor, all due to bureaucracy,” she said.
The minister added that while maternal and newborn health has received increased attention in recent years, more still needs to be done to improve outcomes.
Maternity waiting homes are shelters designed to accommodate pregnant women close to healthcare facilities, ensuring timely access to medical services when needed. Statistics indicate that most maternal deaths occur in developing countries, highlighting the need for continued interventions in maternal healthcare.
