Defence Health Services (Namibia)

The Defence Health Services Directorate is the branch of the Namibian Defence Force responsible for medical facilities and the training and deployment of all medical personnel within the force. It is a significant actor in the effort to control HIV/AIDS within the NDF.[1]

Defence Health Services
CountryNamibia
RoleMedical support
Part ofNamibia Defence Force
Commanders
Chief of StaffBrigadier General Sophia Ndeitunga

Organisation

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The Directorate is headquartered in Windhoek at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters. It is headed by the chief of staff who is normally a qualified medical officer, the chief of staff Holds the rank of brigadier general and functions as the surgeon general.[2] The roles of the directorate is to direct health policy, provide medical supply and the maintenance of health facilities and training and deployment of Medical personnel.

Mobile Military Health

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Donated by Germany in 2013, it was commissioned in 2019. The Mobile hospital is rated as a United Nations Level I hospital. It has a capacity of 40 outpatients a day and 20 in-house patient bed capacity, It has two intensive care units, an x-ray unit and laboratories.[6] It can support a battalion group sized combat deployment.[7] It is commanded by Colonel O. Iindombo.[8]

Tertiary Military Health

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  • Grootfontein Military Hospital[9]

The Hospital is situated at the Grootfontein Military Base. It has a capacity for 80 patients,[10] a casualty department, an operating theatre, X-ray facilities and in- and out-patient departments.

  • Peter Mueshihange Military Center

Military Health Training

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  • Medical Training Wing[11]

A central medical training facility is being built at the Osona Military Base.[12] The Wing is commanded by Lt Col Amutenya.[8]

Deployment

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Military Health practitioners are deployed at Sick Bays across all military bases. They also deploy on Peace Support Missions with infantry units.

Vehicles

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DHS mainly employs three types of Ambulances

Name Image Origin Type Acquired In service Notes
Wer'wolf MKII     Namibia Mine protected ambulance -
Toyota Land Cruiser     Japan 4x4 ambulance -
Toyota HiAce     Japan ambulance - Based on the Toyota Quantum bus

Leadership

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Directorate Defence Health Services
From Chief of Staff To
1999 Brigadier General Sophia Ndeitunga[13] 01 01 1900

References

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  1. ^ "Commemoration of Joint U.S./Namibian Military Success in Combating HIV/AIDS | U.S. Embassy in Namibia". Na.usembassy.gov. 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  2. ^ "Opening ceremony of the tenth annual general meeting of the Inter State Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC) Military Health Services Work Group | South African Government". Gov.za. 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  3. ^ "Mobile field hospital set up at airport - The Namibian". Thenamibian.mobi. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  4. ^ About The Author admin. "Armed forces receive field hospital | Namibia Economist". Economist.com.na. Retrieved 2020-04-10. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ "NDF inaugurates a Mobile Field Hospital -NBC". YouTube. 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  6. ^ "NDF receives mobile hospital from Germany". Namibia-botschaft.de. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  7. ^ "Namibia Defence Force gets German-made mobile field hospital". defenceWeb. 2013-03-07. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  8. ^ a b "Defense Forces' projects get assistance from visiting German Bundestag delegation | Namibia Economist". Economist.com.na. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  9. ^ "Namibian Defence Force to build new military hospital". defenceWeb. 2014-07-18. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  10. ^ "Namibia: Nujoma Opens Military Hospital". allafrica.com. 9 September 2002. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  11. ^ "NDF's weapons fit for scrapyard". The Namibian. 2020-04-10. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  12. ^ "A Delegation of the German Bundestag visits Namibia - Federal Foreign Office". Windhuk.diplo.de. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  13. ^ "Gen Tempel Visits - GRN Portal". Mod.gov.na. 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2020-04-10.