Windhoek Central brings MRI to the public sector
Windhoek Central Hospital is set to strengthen public healthcare with the installation of the country’s first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine in a state hospital expected to become operational by April 2026.While MRI machines are already available in private hospitals in Namibia, this marks the first time such imaging technology will be accessible in the public sector, reducing reliance on costly private referrals and overseas treatment. As the country’s apex referral hospital, Windhoek Central receives patients from all 14 regions for highly specialised care that is unavailable elsewhere in the public system.
MRI is among the most advanced diagnostic tools in modern medicine, offering detailed soft-tissue imaging critical for neurological, spinal and orthopaedic conditions, complex surgical planning, and long-term treatment monitoring. Until now, patients requiring MRI scans were referred to state-approved private hospitals at an average cost of N$13 000 per scan, paid for by government. In cases where services were unavailable locally, patients were sent elsewhere, further straining public resources.
Speaking to Network Media Hub (NMH), Windhoek Central Hospital Superintendent Dr Shitaleni Herman said the MRI would significantly improve diagnostic precision, streamline clinical workflows, and enhance patient outcomes, reinforcing the hospital’s role as Namibia’s medical hub.
Specialists and technology
According to Herman, Namibia’s specialist base has expanded substantially since independence. From just three paediatricians at the time, the country now boasts more than 70, including sub-specialists in paediatric cardiology, surgery, neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery.
He emphasised, however, that challenges remain. The Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) Annual Report 2023–2024 highlights persistent shortages in fields such as neurosurgery, nuclear medicine and emergency care. These gaps are partly addressed through visiting specialist teams from Germany, the United Kingdom and Newcastle, who support local clinicians while maintaining continuity of care.
Herman stressed that advanced equipment alone cannot transform healthcare without corresponding professional expertise. “Becoming a specialist in Namibia is a long and demanding journey,” he said. “Doctors spend at least seven years in general medical training, followed by several more years in specialist and sub-specialist training. When that expertise is combined with technology like MRI, it unlocks care that was previously impossible in the public sector.”
CT scan capacity
Diagnostic imaging has recently come under public scrutiny following social media comments by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, who claimed Namibia’s public health sector has only a limited number of CT scanners, with a single functioning machine serving Windhoek, resulting in backlogs and delayed diagnoses.
Responding to these concerns, Herman said that the state CT scanner serving the Windhoek referral system is located at Katutura Intermediate Hospital, not at Windhoek Central. He said waiting lists do not automatically indicate system failure, but rather reflect structured healthcare planning and clinical prioritisation.
“Yes, patients do wait, but waiting is universal in healthcare systems,” Herman said, explaining that CT scans are ordered following clinical assessment and scheduled according to urgency, with emergencies prioritised. The critical question, he stressed, is whether waiting times are clinically acceptable, not whether queues exist.
He added that the Ministry of Health has placed strong emphasis on time-based audits, with a policy objective of reducing waiting periods from months to weeks across services, including diagnostic imaging. While acknowledging growing demand, Dr Herman said the current CT service is functioning within planned capacity, with procurement of an additional CT scanner expected to further strengthen diagnostic capability.
Infrastructure upgrades
Beyond imaging, Windhoek Central has undergone various infrastructure upgrades over the past year. These include the restoration of hot water after 14 years, the installation of six new anaesthetic machines, and the commissioning of a N$34 million paediatric intensive care unit. Operating theatres have been refurbished, and patient loading zones redesigned to improve access and reduce congestion.
The hospital has also moved towards operational self-sufficiency by producing body bags and patient uniforms in-house - items previously imported from South Africa - cutting costs, improving turnaround times, and strengthening internal logistics.
“Every investment we make is assessed by how much it reduces the time, effort and stress patients experience when accessing care,” Herman said.
National reach
As Namibia’s national referral hospital, Windhoek Central continues to receive patients from across the country, with patient satisfaction, accessibility and efficiency central to its mission. International specialists continue to complement local teams in neurosurgery, ENT and cardiothoracic surgery, enabling more advanced care to be delivered locally and reducing the need for overseas referrals.
The installation of Namibia’s first MRI in a public hospital represents a defining step towards a more resilient, self-reliant public healthcare system. Coupled with expanding specialist capacity, infrastructure upgrades and improved diagnostic planning, Windhoek Central Hospital is increasingly positioned to deliver high-quality, life-saving care nationwide.
“We compete with ourselves,” Herman said. “Our goal is to do better every day; to reduce waiting times, remove barriers to access, and ensure every patient’s journey through the system is as seamless as possible.”
