Niël Terblanché
Eleven doctors from private practices in Windhoek will begin volunteering at Katutura Health Centre (KHC) from 1 July.
The doctors will work evening shifts without pay to help ease patient congestion.
This follows last month’s call by the ministry, where it called on private doctors to volunteer after hours at the Katutura Health Centre in an effort to ease the growing pressure from high patient volumes.
Health minister, Dr Esperance Luvindao, described the initiative as a patriotic act that will support efforts to reduce long queues and improve primary healthcare in the capital.
KHC is the only public facility in the Khomas Region that operates 24 hours a day and treats between 700 and 1,000 patients daily.
“Demand for health services is highest at Katutura Health Centre from about 19h00 to midnight,” Luvindao said during an onboarding session on Monday.
She said the region’s nine clinics and three health centres are struggling to serve a population of more than 500,000.
As part of Phase 1 of the ministry’s relief plan, KHC’s night-shift team will increase from three to five doctors.
Okuryangava Health Centre and Otjomuise Clinic will extend their hours to 07h00 to 19h00 daily.
“Extending operating hours at these facilities will significantly alleviate the burden on Katutura Health Centre,” the minister said.
She added that Okuryangava will move to full 24-hour service from 1 August once additional staff are appointed.
The volunteer doctors will work from 17h00 to 23h00, which is when patient volumes are highest.
“We view you as an extension of our national health workforce, one that embodies the highest standards of professionalism, compassion, and civic duty,” Luvindao told the group.
She said the ministry would provide support and ensure open communication.
Under phase 2 of the plan, Maxuilili Clinic in the Tobias Hainyeko constituency will also be upgraded to 24-hour service from 1 October. Luvindao said the move would ease pressure on Katutura.
She said the ministry is also considering online consultations and stricter community service requirements for new graduates.
“With the new Health Professions Act 16 of 2024, I am convinced that the ministry will be able to address inequities in workforce distribution,” she said, pointing to the ongoing challenge of staff moving from rural to urban areas.
Luvindao acknowledged that the Khomas model alone would not solve the national shortage of healthcare workers.
She welcomed the planned Windhoek District Hospital and said similar efforts would follow in other regions when resources allow.
“Your willingness to offer your skills and time without expectation of financial gain exemplifies the spirit of ubuntu – the belief in a shared humanity,” she said.
She urged the volunteers to see their service as the beginning of wider reform.
“History will judge you kindly for standing in solidarity with the people of Namibia in their time of need,” she said.
