Windhoek: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called for the urgent procurement of machinery such as Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, warning that prolonged delays undermine national priorities and service delivery. Ngurare made the remarks during a visit to Katutura Intermediate Hospital and Windhoek Central Hospital on Monday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Ngurare was responding to ongoing government efforts to procure CT scan machines for all regions, noting that none are currently available at the regional level. "The intention of the government is clear. We want this right away, if it is available somewhere. But when it takes a year, two years, it defeats that purpose. This is for all of us," he said.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, at the same occasion, said the national budget currently under consideration in Parliament includes provisions to procure one CT scan machine for each region. Luvindao mentioned that this would allow patients to access diagnostic services within their regions, reducing the need to travel elsewhere for scans.

Ngurare further stressed the need for decisive action to strengthen public institutions, particularly in the healthcare sector. "We have, as a government, to take deliberate and bold decisions in the national interest to uplift, rehabilitate and ensure that we bring services to our public institutions so that we can have confidence in them," he said, adding that strengthening public healthcare systems requires a collective commitment from all stakeholders.