New state dialysis unit to serve 54 Erongo patients

Fifty-four state patients in the Erongo region are expected to benefit from a new dialysis unit inaugurated at Walvis Bay District Hospital on Thursday. The facility forms part of the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ programme to expand dialysis services at public hospitals and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment. Deputy minister of health and social services Suzan Ndjaleka said the demand for dialysis services in the region has increased over the past year.

“As of 2024, the Erongo region had a total of 27 state patients that were receiving dialysis once, twice, and even three times a week from the private dialysis unit in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay towns,” she said. She said this number increased to 54 patients in 2025. The new unit is expected to reduce the burden on patients who previously relied on private facilities or travelled outside the region to access treatment.