The 29 health facilities in Kavango-West, Namibia, are allocated a mere N$200,000 for annual maintenance, which translates to approximately N$6,897 per facility for minor repairs and general upkeep. This has raised concerns about the ability of the health directorate to maintain infrastructure across the region in good condition. The region's health director, Fransiska Hamutenya, revealed this allocation during a visit by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, to the Katjinakatji clinic.
According to Hamutenya, the directorate has repeatedly requested additional funding from financial officials in the ministry, but to no avail. She emphasized that with N$200,000, it is challenging to maintain 29 facilities. Hamutenya also pointed out communication gaps in reporting maintenance issues, stating that complaints sometimes reach district offices but not her office, making it difficult for her to intervene. She assured that when urgent cases are brought to her attention, she ensures prompt repairs, including fixing leaking pipes and other maintenance tasks.
Minister Luvindao, however, rejected the explanations, urging officials to stop making excuses, acknowledge their shortcomings, and take responsibility. She questioned how poor hygiene at the clinic could be attributed to inadequate funding, arguing that cleanliness is a matter of supervision rather than additional resources. Luvindao emphasized that netheid requires a serious supervisor, not more money. She also challenged Hamutenya's explanation that complaints sometimes do not reach her office, arguing that regional directors are responsible for inspecting health facilities and identifying problems.
Luvindao drew a parallel between Hamutenya's situation and a scenario where she would have to explain to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah that regional officials failed to bring a health facility issue to her attention. She asked if that would be an acceptable explanation, emphasizing that as a leader, it is her responsibility to inspect facilities and address problems. The minister insisted that directors must take responsibility for the condition of facilities under their supervision.
Luvindao announced a ban on travel by health officials in the region until improvements are made to basic facilities. She instructed them to stay in their regions and focus on addressing the shortcomings. The minister emphasized that limited budgets should not hinder officials from finding practical solutions to urgent infrastructure problems. She suggested using prefabricated structures and additional rooms as temporary measures when infrastructure needs cannot wait for funding.
During her visit, Luvindao officially opened the Mabushe clinic in the Mashare constituency and toured health facilities in Kavango-West. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the state of some facilities and urged officials to take responsibility for their upkeep. The minister's visit aimed to assess the condition of health facilities and encourage officials to find solutions to the challenges they face.
The maintenance challenges faced by health facilities in Kavango-West highlight the need for increased funding and effective management. The region's health directorate must find ways to address the infrastructure needs of its facilities, despite limited resources. The minister's visit and directives aim to improve the condition of health facilities and ensure that officials take responsibility for their maintenance.
Key points
- The 29 health facilities in Kavango-West receive only N$200,000 for annual maintenance.
- Minister Luvindao has banned travel by health officials in the region until improvements are made to basic facilities.
- The minister emphasized that limited budgets should not hinder officials from finding practical solutions to urgent infrastructure problems.
