Auleria Wakudumo

ENGELA – What was once a dusty storeroom filled with broken hospital equipment has been transformed into a room of hope at Engela District Hospital. 

The space now serves as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), already changing lives in the Ohangwena region.

Senior medical officer at Engela District Hospital Dr Lukas Nghaamwa said the new unit will greatly improve the survival chances of premature and sick newborns.

“We had nothing before. Babies who were born too early or with complications had to be referred to Oshakati. Now, we can stabilise and care for them here at Engela. This move has already reduced the mortality rate of newborns,” he said.

The modest unit can accommodate seven babies at a time, equipped with six incubators. 

For the first time, mothers in the region can hold onto hope without the immediate worry of referral to Oshakati State Hospital.

Previously, all premature or critical cases had to be transferred to Oshakati Intermediate Hospital. 

These referrals were often stressful, as Oshakati did not always have enough capacity, while the long journey placed fragile newborns at great risk. 

With the Engela NICU, only occasional cases are now referred, mostly when numbers exceed capacity.

“With this unit, fewer babies have to be transferred to Oshakati. Though we still refer some cases when numbers are high, at least most babies can now be managed closer to their families,” Nghaamwa added.

The new NICU is equipped with essential machines, but the hospital says more support is urgently needed. 

Among the items still required are phototherapy machines, CPAP machines, radiant warmers, infusion pumps and neonatal monitors.

Nghaamwa stressed that while the storeroom has been transformed into a lifesaving space, it remains a temporary solution. 

The hospital is appealing to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to construct a proper neonatal intensive care unit that can meet the growing demand.

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