02 Sep 2021

The new hospital in Shakawe is planned to open during the third quarter of 2021/22 financial year, Parliament heard Wednesday.

Answering a question, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti explained that the delay in bringing the hospital to operational status was due to the challenges encountered with COVID-19 that demanded shifting of resources to support the national response.

However, Dr Dikoloti said as the COVID-19 national response, particularly the roll out of vaccine matured, the ministry would be able to re-allocate the necessary resources to the hospital.

“The plan is to open the hospital in a phased approach and the processes should be completed by the fourth quarter of 2021/22 financial year,” he said.

He added that the ministry had made arrangements to recruit all the former industrial class positions for the JP Kavindama Hospital within Okavango district.

The 31 positions, he said included, among others, switchboard operators, mortuary attendants, mental attendants, messengers, drivers and plant operators.

“However, majority of the clinical and other support staff for the hospital are being employed at national level,” he added.

Okabango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga had asked when the new hospital in Shakawe would be opened and what caused the delay in making it operational.

Mr Kapinga also wanted to know if there were arrangements to employ staff, especially those from the locality. ENDS