Progress on Swakopmund neonatal care impressive: Nangombe

Health and Social Services Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, is impressed with the progress made in the construction of the Neonatal Unit at the Swakopmund Hospital, following the re-awarding of the tender to a new contractor. The construction of the N.dollars 27 million unit which commenced in 2020 and was expected to be completed in February 2022 was halted for some time after the initial contractor experienced challenges. It was for this reason, according to Nangombe, that the ministry decided to cancel this agreement and re-award it to a new construction company. 'When I visited the project just over a week ago, the construction workers were working briskly, aiming to complete and handover the project in the next six months. It is unfortunate that this project was delayed and we were compelled to cancel the contract of the initial contractor who experienced challenges. I am pleased that the contractor now on board is making good progress,' he expressed. The unit is expected to have a 28-bed capacity which will be divided into 12 standard care beds, six high-care beds, six intensive care beds as well as a mothers' logging unit. Nangombe highlighted that this project illustrates the ministry's resolve to ensure equitable service delivery throughout Namibia, which is a strategic priority for the healthcare system. He said that decentralising health services in this way allows us to utilise our resources more efficiently and provides equitable access to quality healthcare for all people in Namibia, adding that strengthening District Hospitals like the Swakopmund Walvis Bay District Hospitals reduces the burden on referral hospitals in the capital city. Nangombe who made the remarks on Monday during the handover of a mobile Intensive Care Unit (ICU) tent at the Walvis Bay hospital noted that the demand for ICU services has grown significantly. He said many patients requiring intensive care have had to be transferred to Windhoek, noting that the long distances present considerable risks, as they not only s train the healthcare resources but also place additional stress on patients and their families. 'The establishment of a fully equipped ICU facility here in Walvis Bay will therefore mitigate these challenges, ensuring that critical care is accessible in a timely manner,' he concluded. Source: The Namibia Press Agency