New Katutura Hospital Boss On Fire

Denver Kisting

3 June 2011

The Katutura State Hospital is no stranger to controversy – two men died when the lift they were working in at the hospital plunged eight stories in December last year.

The Namibian’s SMS pages are often filled with complaints about the filth at this hospital.

Then, amidst claims of conflict of interest, the previous hospital boss, Dr Rheinhardt Gariseb, left the public practice after 15 years.

Dr Nelago Amugulu has been hitting the ground running for the past two months, trying with renewed vigour to not only improve the image of this health facility, but also to get people “to do what they’re supposed to be doing”.

The Namibian caught up with her and managed to secure 30 minutes for an interview in her seemingly crazy schedule.

She says she’s committed to make people realise “that this is a good hospital.” She’s on a roll: “My specific vision is just to see things happen and divert a lot of the negative press image.”

Lifts that work, a power supply that does not endanger already fragile lives, the cleanliness of the hospital – those are what the young, energetic woman wants to focus on.

But, she asks, who is responsible for keeping the hospital clean if patients and visitors dump their rubbish “right next to the bin and not in the bin or people who defecate next to a toilet or in the shower”.

People’s attitudes are one of her main concerns, she admits. “This office becomes the dumping ground for everything. Patients just barge in straight without an appointment. People feel you’re sitting with all the answers. I’m supposed to be miracle woman and sort it all out.”

Dr Amagulu, the eldest of four daughters, completed her MB ChB at the former University of Natal Medical School in Durban in 2003.

After her internship, she joined the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at Katutura as a medical officer. And that’s where her passion lies, the fire in her eyes says. “I’m passionate about maternal health. I can contribute a lot in that regard.”

The day-to-day management of the largest referral hospital in the country is made difficult by the bureaucracy. She’s unable to conceal her frustration.

“The red tape associated with the office – to acquire things, to get things done – is a challenge. I am a clinician at heart and that has sort of fallen by the wayside. Every single thing, the nitty-gritty becomes your problem.”

This does not seem to get her under. “I’m enjoying it. I’m swimming, definitely not drowning. There are a few hiccups, but the challenges are definitely not insurmountable.”

Besides the red tape, what other obstacles does she need to cope with? “Sometimes, we work with skeleton staff for an institution of this size. There’s often full bed capacity with no spaces. Also, a lot of the skilled workers move to the private sector.”

Dr Amagulu plans to fill this administrative post for a maximum of six months. “The plan is not to be here forever. If you go the admin route, you let go of the clinical side – my passion.”

She’s equally excited about the recently established University of Namibia Medical School. “It’s more than long overdue and I want to congratulate the government.”

Katutura and Windhoek Central Hospital will act as the training hospitals for the medical school.

Before the miracle woman needs to rush off to her next meeting, she again shares the power of positivity.

“My father [Veterans’ Affairs PS William Amagulu] always says, ‘No one is born a leader.’ I’m excited. I’m teachable. I’m liking this. Let the evidence speak for itself and then I’ll silence the sceptics.”

AllAfrica – All the Time