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Staff Reporter THE long-awaited Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Katima Mulilo District Hospital has officially been inaugurated, marking a historic milestone for healthcare delivery in the Zambezi Region. During the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Health and Social Services Dr. Esperance Luvindao described the development as a turning point for the region’s health system. “For years, families and patients have endured agonising journeys, travelling over 500 kilometres to Rundu or more than 1,000 kilometres to Windhoek in search of specialised care. These journeys placed immense financial and emotional burdens on families, and tragically, sometimes compromised the very survival of those in need,” said Dr. Luvindao. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office “Today, we are rewriting that narrative. This ICU marks the beginning of a new chapter—one where advanced medical care is accessible right here in the Zambezi Region. It reflects our dedication to achieving Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that every citizen has access to quality health services without financial hardship.” The new ICU features eight fully equipped beds, modern life-support systems, and a dedicated team of medical professionals. The facility is expected to provide critical care services to patients who previously had to travel long distances for treatment. Regional Health Director Dr. Woita Kapumburu hailed the project as “a symbol of hope and progress that the people of the Zambezi Region have long awaited.” “The ICU is not just a medical facility; it represents the realisation of a dream for equitable and accessible healthcare,” he said. Each ICU bed is fitted with essential medical equipment, including monitors, ambu bags, and other life-saving devices — a visible reflection of the Ministry’s commitment to quality healthcare for all. Dr. Luvindao further emphasised the need to continue investing in the region’s health infrastructure: “Katima Mulilo District Hospital ought to be upgraded to an intermediate hospital if it is to meet all the needs of the people of the region. For that to happen, we need the right infrastructure, the right human resources — including specialists — and the right equipment. That journey has officially commenced.” The inauguration also echoed the sentiment expressed by Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who has often stated that “Namibians are too few to be poor.” The new ICU stands as a tangible step toward that vision — bringing essential, life-saving healthcare within reach of every Namibian in the Zambezi Region.
