By Staff Reporter
Windhoek Central Hospital has officially launched a refurbished operating theatre dedicated to children.
The paediatric theatre refurbished courtesy consists of a health charity, Kids Operating Room (KidsOR), received approximately 3,100 items of surgical equipment at a cost of U$ 300,000.
Speaking during the official launch, Minister of Health and Social Services Hon. Dr Kalumbi Shangula expressed profound gratitude to the charity for the support in renovating the theatre noting its significance.
“It is the ministry of health’s priority to offer a safe, accessible, and quality surgical services to all children in Namibia, and the renovated pediatric theatre is a strong support to us achieving this priority. It is the first theatre in state hospitals in the entire country that is child friendly, a milestone in the Namibian health we appreciate greatly.” He noted.
In addition to Dr. Shangula sentiments, Head of Department for Pediatric surgery at Windhoek Central Hospital, Dr Kondjela Hamunyela said KidsOR has offered us an opportunity to be on platform that will propel pediatric surgical services to a high standard.
“They have opened a door for us which could have taken us many years to reach, thank you to all the donors of KidsOR” he appreciated.
At the launch of KidsOR Director for Africa Ms.Rosemary Mugwe acknowledged the role and impact the hospital has in meeting healthcare for all.
“I take note that Windhoek Central Hospital serves as one of the two government hospital in the city hence key in provision and access of healthcare for all. This Operating Rooms is much needed to ensure children receive quality surgical care in a timely manner.” She noted.
The theatre will further enable the institution to train more paediatric surgeons and anaesthetists as these State-of-the-Art theatres are training grounds for paediatric staff. This will reason an increase in the number of paediatric workforce in the country which has a ripple effect towards achieving access to quality healthcare and health system strengthening.
As reported in other countries where KidsOR has installed similar paediatric theatres, the number of children receiving surgery at this state hospital is expected to intensify as hospitals are able to take up more cases and of various ailments, from simple surgeries to complex ones.
Paediatric age group constitutes more than 50 percent of the Sub-Saharan African population. KidsOR works with Ministries of Health, hospitals and local surgical teams to transform hospital spaces into dedicated Operating Rooms for children’s surgery.
Since 2018, the charity has installed over 55 paediatric rooms across Africa and Latin America facilitating over 78,000 life-changing operations.
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