ONGWEDIVA – The health director of Oshikoto region, Josua Nghipangelwa, said his directorate has allocated funds towards the renovation of the ‘waiting’ ward, located at the Onandjokwe hospital.
The ward accommodates expecting mothers from remote areas during their final trimester, so that they have easy and faster access to the hospital during their time of labour.
Last year, when New Era visited the waiting ward, expecting mothers at the Onandjokwe State Hospital were living under what some of them describe as horrific or scary situations, as they slept under some trees next to the morgue.
They said they could not be accommodated at the ‘waiting’ ward, as it was full.
Those who spoke to this publication said they are terrified by the movement of the mortuary attendants, who were constantly delivering bodies to the mortuary – even in the middle of the night.
At the time, they were cooking on an open fire – set up in an open area, where they are exposed to the sun and rain.
Sewer pipes for the toilet and showers were blocked, causing the accumulation of sewerage water in the bathrooms, and some are flowing right where these mothers sleep.
But Nghipangelwa said this situation will soon be a thing of the past, as N$250 000 has been allocated toward the renovation of the facility.
According to him, showers will be repaired and warm water will be provided.
The renovation will first commence with the construction of the cooking area before other activities are carried out.
“It is not safe for people to be in sewage water. This will cause various diseases,” he added.
He, however, highlighted financial challenges as the main hindrance affecting service delivery.
He, therefore, called on business people and political leaders to come on board and assist, as more funds would be needed for the construction and renovation of this ward.
“Whoever is willing to assist should contact my office. It’s very important when people are meeting the government half, especially in the healthcare sector,” he said.
– fhamalwa@nepc.com.na