Hilma Hashange
To improve service delivery and offer heads of departments at the Onandjokwe hospital a professional space to work in, the Pupkewitz Foundation built eight new offices, a boardroom and ablution facilities.
Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula yesterday inaugurated the offices at the Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital.
The facilities were built by the Pupkewitz Foundation to the tune of N$2.7 million.
Linked to the main hospital, the heads of departments will meet and deliver on improved administrative professionalism and data storage on departmental statistics to better serve health professionals in training and the wider community.
The hospital is one of the oldest in the country and caters to thousands of northern region patients.
According to Pupkewitz Foundation CEO Meryl Barry, the office block will complement the work done by health workers at the hospital.
“This is the only hospital in the country with such a building, where health professionalism could be enjoyed by the community,” said Barry.
The building was constructed within six months and consists of eight offices, a boardroom, ablution facilities as well as a tearoom.
Minister Shangula, who once worked at the hospital as a young doctor, said various efforts have been made to keep the busy hospital running, adding that accessing health services is crucial.
“The acquisition of modern medical equipment is crucial. It is, therefore, commendable for the Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital to engage with the Pupkewitz Foundation,” he noted.
The minister urged the staff of the hospital to jealously guard the hospital and take good care of it.
“I know that it is very hot in this area but the offices are air-conditioned,” he said.
*Hilma Hashange is an information officer at MICT Oshikoto.