Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has inaugurated the Zambezi Region’s first state renal dialysis unit at Katima Mulilo State Hospital, a development aimed at improving access to treatment for kidney disease patients in the region.
The dialysis unit, officially inaugurated by Health Minister Dr. Esperance Luvindao, was established through a government investment of more than N$7 million and will provide comprehensive renal care services to patients who previously had to travel long distances or rely on private healthcare facilities for treatment.
Speaking during the inauguration, Dr. Luvindao said the establishment of the facility reflects the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services across Namibia.
Photos: Ministry of Health and Social Services-Namibia
“The new unit will ease the burden on patients who previously had to travel to other towns or depend on private healthcare facilities for dialysis treatment,” she said.
The facility is staffed by a nephrologist and a Cuban volunteer doctor under the Namibia–Cuba Medical Collaboration Programme.
Zambezi Regional Governor Dorothy Kabula welcomed the development, describing it as a major relief for patients in the region.
“The opening of the dialysis and dental units in Katima Mulilo gives hope to patients who previously had to travel long distances to Rundu and Windhoek. The distance is now shortened, and we thank our Minister,” Kabula said.
She also appealed to the Ministry to continue with plans to progressively upgrade Katima Mulilo District Hospital into an intermediate hospital to better serve the growing population of the region.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ruben Siame also praised the Ministry for the continued expansion of healthcare services in the region.
“Since you came into office, there have been a series of important healthcare developments, including the Intensive Care Unit, the Renal Dialysis Unit, and soon the Dental Unit. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to strengthening healthcare services in the region,” Siame said.
Dr. Luvindao further stressed the importance of decentralising healthcare services in Namibia.
“Every region in Namibia must have its own intermediate hospital, its own referral hospital. It is the only way that we will decentralise healthcare services,” she said.
“There is no way that we can still say that to get referral-level treatment, patients must be sent to Windhoek or the Khomas Region. That is what the Ministry of Health and Social Services is working very hard on,” the Minister added.
