ONGWEDIVA – Expectant women have become the victims of extreme weather and are suffering freezing temperatures at the Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, while others have contracted malaria and flu.
Close to 20 pregnant women are sleeping on the floor at the waiting ward, while 22 pensioners are in distress by sleeping on the icy floor.
The pensioners are at this hospital to care for relatives being hospitalised. The waiting ward, which is commonly known as ‘Ewalanda’ in Oshiwambo, helps many women who live far from hospital as they don’t need to travel long distances when it is time to give birth.
The waiting ward has 73 pregnant women sleeping on beds, while 20 still sleep on the floor. This brings the total number of expectant women at the ward to 93.
New Era visited the waiting ward yesterday, and found Hileni Nehale (66). She had come to care for her admitted son, and narrated that she has been sleeping on the floor for about two months, covered only with cardboard. “First, I used to sleep under the tree for one month. When winter came,
I moved to the ward, where I am currently sleeping,” she stated. Nehale is suffering from the cold, and has likewise developed wounds as a result of mosquito bites.
Selma Andreas (71), said she has been sleeping on the floor for three months. She came to the hospital to care for her brother, but the cold has ruined her life as she is no longer the same.
“We are sleeping on the floor because the beds are not enough for everyone,” she stressed, adding that it’s not easy for a human being to sleep on the floor during winter.
“We have no choice since we want to stay close to our family members who are patients. These patients need our support,” she continued.
Meanwhile, nine-months pregnant Elizabeth Saulu said she has been sleeping on the floor for the past three weeks. “Imagine, a nine-months pregnant woman sleeping on the floor. It’s not easy for us. We are suffering here,” she lamented.
Approached for comment, Oshikoto health director Josua Nghipangelwa confirmed that expectant women are really suffering from cold, especially those sleeping on the floors.
He emphasised that the waiting ward is too small, and does not have sufficient beds. Nghipangelwa noted that a lack of funds is the biggest challenge delaying the acquisition of proper facilities at the waiting ward.
– fhamalwa@nepc.com.na