Budgetary allocations for Lüderitz State Hospital not utilised

None of the capital projects planned for Lüderitz State Hospital provisioned for in the developmental budget for the 2021/22 to 2023/24 financial years have been implemented.


This came to light during a visit by the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Health and Social Welfare, MP Nono Katjingisiua, who was accompanied by fellow Members of Parliament and committee members Tuulikki Abraham and Vetaruhe Kandorozu. The oversight visit to the //Kharas Region began on 21 July. The committee is assessing various capital projects earmarked in the developmental budget for the review period in the Hardap, //Kharas and Omaheke regions.


Lüderitz - Katjingisiua informed local officials and hospital staff that N$15 million had been allocated for the replacement of the hospital roof, the expansion of the theatre, and the renovation of the X-ray room. She requested a status update on the planned work. Justice Shikolalye, a senior administrative officer at the hospital, confirmed that none of the proposed projects had been executed. In response, Katjingisiua said the committee expects clarification in the upcoming development budgets. “If not implemented in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, we want to know why, whether the project was carried over, and what the reasons are. The committee also expects an update on the maintenance plan for existing buildings.”


Shikolalye explained that the current hospital management team is newly appointed and lacks information on why the projects did not materialise. “I’m aware that a needs assessment was conducted and forwarded to the regional headquarters. We are using the theatre as is, and our equipment is old, but we make do. The hospital urgently needs a complete revamp and expansion. It’s more than 50 years old and has serious space constraints.”


He listed urgent priorities, including the filling of vacant posts, theatre renovation, acquisition of ambulances, construction of a new clinic in Lüderitz, the procurement of an industrial laundry machine and kitchen equipment. “Just one more would already make a difference. Our laundry is sent to Keetmanshoop, which is costly. We have two ambulances with over 700 000 km on the clock and they break down regularly. Out of a fleet of 13 vehicles, only four are operational, and maintenance costs are high. Even the fire extinguishers haven’t been serviced since 2022.” The acting senior medical officer Dr Linda nail highlighted, "We have only two doctors, though seven are required."


Moving inland - The committee proceeded to Aus for a briefing and site inspection at the local clinic, followed by a visit to the Bersheba Clinic. They will pay a courtesy call on the Governor of the //Kharas Region, Dawid Gertze, on 22 July before continuing with a briefing and visit to Keetmanshoop Hospital. Thereafter, the committee will meet the Governor of the Hardap Region, Riaan McNab, on 23 July, before visiting Maltahöhe Clinic. The oversight mission will then continue to the Omaheke Region, where the committee will meet Governor Pijoo Nganate on 25 July. Final site visits will include the Otjinene Clinic and Gobabis District Hospital, before returning to Windhoek on 26 July.