… Needs N$2.3 Million for Urgent Heart OperationBy Catherine Sasman WINDHOEK The Government medical aid has been requested to release N$2.3 million over two days, needed for an urgent and life-saving operation on Dr Otto HÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼bschle, husband to former Swapo Party MP and now member of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Michaela HÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼bschle. HÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼bschle, who works as a State Veterinarian at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry is currently in the intensive care unit of the Publique de Paris Hospital in Paris, France, after being admitted for a heart problem last weekend. HÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼bschle was in Paris on an official trip, attending the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) summit there. His wife, daughter and son have travelled to Paris to be with him. He is reportedly in a very weak condition while waiting for a compatible heart donation, after his heart muscles deteriorated considerably. The hospital costs, which include his extensive stay in the hospital, are estimated at Euro113ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 (or N$2.3 million). According to a colleague of HÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼bschle, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Frans Jourbert, HÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼bschle – now over the age of 60 – has been in ill health for some time. “He was admitted to the hospital where his condition worsened.” An urgent request from the agriculture ministry’s personnel office was made on Monday, and the millions were required within two days to have the operation done. After the operation, HÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼bschle is expected to remain in hospital to recover. According to a Government official, the State medical aid covers 95 percent of all medical expenses incurred, even when Government officials fall ill in any part of the world while on holiday. New Era could not establish from the Ministry of Finance if the medical aid money has indeed been released because the accounting officer, Permanent Secretary, Calle Sclettwein, is out of the country and Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was indisposed.