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Hospitals turn to private theatres |
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Written by Staff Reporters
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The Ministry of Health and Social Services this week
defended itself from allegations of poor service at state hospitals in
Windhoek. In the meantime, the ministry has decided to make use of private
theatres in the capital until the reliability of power supply has been assured.
Permanent secretary Kalumbi Shangula dismissed recent press
reports on these allegations as false saying some reports were false, some
unfair, some malicious and some with genuine concern.
Shangula said the recent disruption of power supply
experienced at the theatre of Windhoek Central Hospital was related to recently
installed electrical appliances such as central air conditioners and heaters.“These appliances draw more power than the electrical system
can carry and therefore lead to circuit breakers coming on and interrupting the
power supply,” said Shangula.He said as a result of these installations, a mismatch
occurred between the electricity supply and consumption.“This problem is now being investigated with a view to
correct it,” said Shangula. He said the hospital has immediately reduced power
usage by taking as many heaters off the electrical system as possible.Shangula said the Ministry of Works, Transport and
Communication was sourcing new batteries that support theatre light back-up
systems in order to ensure that lighting could be available at all times.“In addition, the Department of Works will ensure the rapid
installation of a new dedicated emergency power supply unit (generator) for the
operating theatres at WCH. The standby
generator of the hospital shall also receive attention in order to ensure that
it can go on automatically if there is disruption in electricity supply.
Currently, the power supply to the operating theatre is unreliable,” he said.
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