Beloved Dr Silvi honoured
A beloved paediatrician from Swakopmund, widely recognised for her many years of selfless service, compassion, and passion – especially for the younger members of her community – was honoured on Saturday in a heartfelt tribute: the neonatal unit at Mediclinic Swakopmund has been named after her.Dr Silvia (Silvi) Möhrcken, who admits that her profession chose her, was recognised during the recent annual Erongo Symposium, which focuses on pregnancy and newborn care and was held in Swakopmund.
In an interview, Möhrcken said that the honour came as a huge surprise. “Because my work isn’t about me, it’s about the community and the people I serve here,” she said.
She recalled the early days of her decades-long career in Swakopmund, when premature babies were cared for in the former Rössing Cottage Hospital, which had no specialised intensive care unit at the time.
“We started with a small two-bedroom unit and had no ventilators or monitoring equipment. There were no specialists, MRI machines or doctors. We had to deal with major challenges on our own and relied heavily on our senses and human connection. You had to truly think about everything you did.”
Yet for Möhrcken, paediatrics has always remained a “deeply human” field of medicine, and it is still just as special, even though circumstances have improved dramatically.
Born and raised in Outjo, she said she always wanted to help people and ease their pain. Serving, especially the vulnerable who cannot speak for themselves, has always been her calling. “I am their voice, and for me, that is an honour.”
She is particularly passionate about breastfeeding, which she believes needs stronger advocacy and support – especially for mothers returning to work after giving birth.
In today’s fast-paced medical landscape, Möhrcken stressed the importance of preserving humanity in healthcare.
“Don’t lose your dignity or your human side, nor your clinical judgement and ethical grounding. It’s easy to rely on computers and technology, but we must always use the human factor.”
Beyond service, the greatest reward in her profession, she says, is the love she receives in return.
She dedicated the naming of the unit to everyone who has crossed her path over the years – including a premature baby who weighed just 780 grams at birth and was cared for by her and the medical team, without the help of modern technology. “I honour all the nursing and medical staff who supported me, and the families and community, with this recognition.”