OTJIWARONGO – The Ministry of Health and Social Services has pledged to resolve the critical shortage of ambulances in Otjozondjupa and other regions this year.

Otjozondjupa regional health director Gebhardo Timotheus said on Wednesday, the shortage of ambulances in his region is still a major concern, having reached crisis levels in April 2024.

The region is served by only four ambulances that cover long distances daily from Okahandja to Tsumkwe, he said.

“The region is so vast that we have a need for 14 ambulances. Unfortunately for now, only four are in running condition, with high mileages nearing 600 000 kilometres,” he said.

Reacting to his concerns, Chief Public relations officer in the health ministry, Walters Kamaya in an interview with Nampa yesterday  said the ministry has acquired 23 vehicles specifically for conversion into ambulances.

The vehicles include 11 vans and six Toyota Land Cruisers, of which four were donated by the World Health Organisation.

“The next step is to convert these cars into ambulances by fitting all necessary medical instruments, tools, sirens and beds in each, and then fairly distributing them to the regions including Otjozondjupa, where they are needed,” he said.

The distribution of the ambulances is expected soon once all logistics are completed, said Kamaya.
-Nampa