The newly constructed Covid-19 facility for the Hardap region cannot be utilised for patients due to a leaking roof.
This was confirmed to New Era yesterday by the health director of Hardap, Yvonne Stephanus who refuted claims the region is facing challenges in terms of managing Covid-19 cases.
Claims were that the facility that was constructed in Mariental by the health ministry is not operational due to a lack of accommodation for nurses.
However, Stephanus, yesterday told New Era they discovered the roof of the new building was leaking.
“We discovered last week Thursday that the roof is leaking and this is receiving attention in addition to other minor issues which we are working on,” Stephanus said.
She added the building would be utilised once all issues have been addressed.
She, however, could not say how long it would take to have the issues addressed.
At the onset of the Covid-19 in Namibia, a decision was taken by the health ministry to construct isolation facilities at different district hospitals around the country. The chosen construction method was prefabricated structures because of speed with which they can be completed, durability, utility as well as amenability to hygiene and infection prevention and control measures. These facilities were to complement similar existing facilities, many of which were constructed with support from development cooperation partners at places such as Katima Mulilo, Engela Gobabis and Mariental.
According to Stephanus, this is a minor setback as the region currently only have eight people hospitalised for treatment in terms of Covid-19.
“Apart from that we only have 180 cases. Some of them have already recovered and will most likely be announced by our minister today,” she said yesterday.
Stephanus also explained that the region’s response to Covid-19 is guided by all the standard operating procedures for all the pillars including isolation and de-isolation as well as quarantine for those who require quarantine.
“The region do both home and facility isolation depending on the cases at hand. Our Covid-19 response has been and remains a dynamic process, hence the region is monitoring the situation closely for timely intervention. The health directorate, therefore, remains in consultation with the relevant stakeholders for prompt resolution of challenges if and when identified,” she said.
– edeklerk@nepc.com.na