Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Katutura Intermediate Hospital has received its first low-dosage lodox full-body X-ray machine, with calls for citizens to take ownership of the facility and protect it as a national health lifeline.
The N$13.2 million machine was donated by the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund to the Ministry of Health and Social Services during an official handover in Windhoek yesterday.
MVA Fund chief executive officer Rosalia Martins-Hausiku said the installation strengthens trauma care and urged communities to treat Katutura Hospital as a shared responsibility.
“Katutura State Hospital is more than a building – it is a lifeline. Citizens of Windhoek, Khomas Region, and the entire nation must own it, protect it, and support it,” she said.
Katutura Intermediate Hospital has one of the country’s busiest emergency centres, treating about 4 600 patients each month, including referrals from regional and district hospitals.
The minister of health and social services, Esperance Luvindao, said the lodox machine will improve emergency responses and help reduce preventable deaths from trauma, especially road crashes.
“In situations where every second can mean the difference between life and death, this machine embodies our policy commitment to saving lives,” she said.
The lodox machine produces full-body scans in 13 seconds and uses lower radiation than conventional X-ray machines, making it safe for children and pregnant patients.
It reduces the risk of missed fractures and hidden injuries, allowing faster treatment.
Luvindao said the donation supports national health strategies, including vision 2030, the National Health Policy Framework, and the Health Sector Strategic Plan.
She added that partnerships with institutions such as the MVA Fund strengthen government efforts to expand access to emergency care and address the burden of road accidents.
“This handover is not an isolated act of goodwill; it is a direct contribution to the implementation of Namibia’s public health policies,” Luvindao said.
The MVA Fund has previously partnered with Standard Bank Namibia to upgrade the Katutura Hospital emergency unit at a cost of N$12.6 million.
