U.S. Embassy Donates Mobile Intensive Care Unit to Namibia

Valued at 20 million Namibian dollars, the ICU was funded through the United States Department of Defense’s Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid Program (OHDACA).

On July 15, 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Namibia took part in a significant handover ceremony with the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) at the Walvis Bay State Hospital. The event saw the presence of Mr. Ben Nangombe, Executive Director of MoHSS, along with various senior government officials and esteemed local leaders. During the ceremony, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Tiffany Miller officially handed over a state-of-the-art mobile Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on behalf of the U.S. government.

State-of-the-Art Mobile ICU

Valued at 20 million Namibian dollars, the ICU was funded through the United States Department of Defense’s Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid Program (OHDACA). The 5-bed ICU is designed to serve not only the local population of Walvis Bay but also to be deployed to other locations in response to potential medical crises. The mobile unit boasts self-sufficient dual generator power, water and sewage systems, and air conditioning, allowing it to operate autonomously in the field. It is also stocked with 600,000 Namibian dollars worth of medicine, ensuring it is ready for immediate operations.

Training for Namibian Personnel

A team of Namibian doctors and nurses from MoHSS received comprehensive training in all aspects of the system setup and the individual pieces of medical equipment within the ICU. This ensures that the mobile ICU can be effectively utilized in various emergency scenarios.

Remarks by Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Miller

In her remarks, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Miller emphasized the importance of the partnership between the U.S. and Namibia. “By partnering with Namibia to enhance critical baseline medical infrastructure, we enhance the nation’s health security. We also enable Namibia to respond to potential future pandemics as well as health emergencies and natural disasters, which positively affects the region as a whole,” she stated.

Broader Impact and Future Donations

The donation in Walvis Bay is part of a larger medical infrastructure package valued at over 130 million Namibian dollars, which will be distributed across four regions in Namibia. This is the largest OHDACA donation to Namibia since its independence and signifies the commitment of the American people to ensure every Namibian has access to medical care.

 

The handover of the mobile ICU underscores the strengthening ties between the U.S. and Namibia and highlights the ongoing efforts to improve health infrastructure and emergency response capabilities in the region. This collaboration aims to provide better healthcare services to the Namibian people and prepare the nation for future health emergencies and natural disasters.