N$174m Windhoek District Hospital project moves ahead

Renthia Kaimbi

The construction of the long-awaited Windhoek District Hospital has moved a step closer to reality following the signing of a N$174 million infrastructure contract aimed at preparing the Havana site for the development.

The contract, awarded to Elderwood Trading CC in a joint venture with Shangsheng Construction through an open national bidding process, covers bulk earthworks, construction of a water reservoir and the installation of essential infrastructure services.

The 12-month project will involve the construction of access roads, stormwater drainage systems, water supply and sewerage networks, as well as electricity services, laying the groundwork for the subsequent construction of the hospital.

The contract signing ceremony, held on Friday, was attended by Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) chief executive officer Idi Itope, ministry of health and social services executive director Penda Ithindi, and representatives of the successful joint venture, Kenneth Shikongo and Huang Heng Wan.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ithindi described the development as a historic milestone for Namibia’s healthcare sector, noting that it would be the first district hospital to be constructed in Windhoek since independence.

He said the capital’s population had surpassed half a million, making the expansion of healthcare infrastructure increasingly urgent.

The project is expected to ease pressure on Windhoek Central Hospital and Katutura Intermediate Hospital, which currently serve not only the capital’s growing population but also patients referred from all 14 regions.

According to the ministry, the new facility will accommodate patients requiring district-level healthcare services, allowing the two existing referral hospitals to concentrate more effectively on specialised medical care.

Although located in Windhoek, the hospital is expected to benefit the entire country by improving access to healthcare and strengthening the national health system.

Itope said the signing marked the transition from procurement to implementation, emphasising that the investment must translate into tangible development outcomes.

He stressed that the N$174 million allocated to the project represented public funds that must be used responsibly and efficiently for the benefit of Namibians.

Itope urged the contractor to adhere to the agreed 12-month implementation period, maintain the required quality standards and fulfil all contractual obligations.

He also cautioned that delays in critical healthcare infrastructure projects have far-reaching consequences, as they prolong patients’ wait for essential services and relief for already pressured healthcare facilities.

The CPBN said the significance of the contract extended beyond its financial value, with the ultimate success of the project to be measured by its contribution towards improving access to medical care and reducing congestion at existing hospitals.

The infrastructure contract is the first phase of the planned hospital development, with the works expected to establish the essential services and groundwork required before the main hospital construction can proceed.

The CPBN said the project demonstrated the role of public procurement in advancing national development priorities, particularly in strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving the well-being of the population.

#WindhoekObserver