Answers needed about Okahandja horror

Okahandja councillor Akser Aupindi writes:

Dear madam

I had learned with shock and sadness that you had to go through a traumatic situation with your father's corpse at the Okahandja state hospital on Wednesday the 16th of June 2021.

As young leader of this town I strongly condemn the act and I will be at the forefront to demand answers from the health ministry. Since the story broke on Monday morning I have called the hospital matron.

She confirmed to me that she do remember between Tuesday and Wednesday a white lady came to hospital with a similar story and she referred the lady to the Namibian police because their ambulance can’t carry a dead body. On my enquiry to the police I was informed that they didn't assist because it was Covid-19 related issues therefore the hospital is to take the body according to health protocols.

I went further to speak to the hospital head doctor who said he don’t remember anything like that and to him it is not true.

I struggle to find the deceased family because I want to hear their side of the story.

It was around 12h30 when after making hundreds of calls I came to see the deceased’s daughter. I was with the mayor of my town as well as another councillor who visited her home.

It was the most shocking, horrible story I have ever heard in my entire life.

Her father according to the daughter possible passed on around 04h00 the morning at home where he stayed with his wife. She managed to get her father's body in the mortuary around 16h30 in Windhoek in an open bakkie in the pool of water of 70 bags of ice blocks.

A human being born out of a woman can not go through this at the hands of nurses that are being paid.

What is surprising to me is that the matron, the doctor in charge, the nurse and the environmental health lady all are shifting blame to one another. The question remains who was supposed to do what at which time?

I came to find that the daughter had conversations with the doctor, who told her that nothing can be done because that is how your government treats you. While he is telling me that he don’t know anything about the case.

For me its inhumane, unacceptable and unprofessional for the daughter to go through this traumatizing emotional situation at her age. The nurse accepted that they failed the daughter’s family during my conversation with her.

I have spoken with the Health Director of Otjozondjupa, who echoed the same story that he believes the hospital officials have failed the family and they could have assisted the lady without delay. The Director has issued a stern warning that what happened must never be repeated again because it sending a wrong message to the community of Okahandja in particular and the nation at large.

As a local authority councillor of Okahandja Municipality I struggle to understand what transpired. Is it really Covid-19 that makes people to suffer like this or is there something else?

My sister, I feel your pain, your soul as well as your heart being broken during this difficult time of mourning. I can’t imagine the state of your mother who is also battling with the same enemy, Covid-19.

I believe the ED/Deputy Minister will answer all questions in a very short time.

To my Namibian people: What happened to this daughter might happen to you, therefore it's high time to hold hands and seek justice. Her family will be the starting point.

Covid-19 is real regardless of who we are, our status in the society, how much money we have. When Covid-19 strikes, only God can save us. Because even the best doctors don’t feel like helping. They have failed her family.

May her late father rest in internal peace.