More than 400 patients from the ǁKharas region were referred to Windhoek for CT scans in one year, forcing patients needing diagnostic investigations to travel about 500 kilometres for the service.
Health minister Esperance Luvindao revealed this during the inauguration of the CT scan service and renovated emergency unit at Keetmanshoop District Hospital on Monday.
“In just one year, the ǁKharas region alone sent 415 patients to Windhoek for CT scans, both emergency and non-emergency cases,” she said.
Luvindao said the journeys came at a cost in time, money and patients’ health, adding that families had to spend money on transport and accommodation.
“For a patient with a head injury, a suspected stroke or a serious trauma, those hours matter,” she said.
The newly installed CT scanner at Keetmanshoop District Hospital is expected to bring diagnostic services closer to patients in the south.
The minister said the ǁKharas region has a population of 109 893 people, while the neighbouring Hardap region has 106 680 residents.
Together, the regions have a population of 216 573 people who could access CT scan investigations closer to their homes.
“The CT scanner is now installed and functional, and our radiographers have been trained and are already performing emergency scans,” Luvindao said.
She said the service would strengthen the management of trauma, stroke, cancer, neurological conditions and other complex conditions requiring accurate and timely diagnosis.
However, non-emergency CT scans are expected to begin once a radiologist joins the hospital’s medical team.
“I am pleased to report that a radiologist will soon be joining the hospital’s dedicated medical team,” Luvindao said.
She said the appointment would allow the hospital to start offering non-emergency CT scans, extending the service beyond patients requiring urgent investigations.
The hospital also has an intensive care unit with a capacity of 13 beds and a five-bed dialysis unit, according to the minister.
Luvindao said the new CT scanner and renovated emergency unit form part of efforts to strengthen Keetmanshoop District Hospital as a referral centre for southern Namibia.
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