Central hospital: Watery soup, sloppy liver menu for patients

Patients at Windhoek Central Hospital are complaining that the health ministry is serving them bleak, sloppy, low-budget meals.

These meals consist of some strips of liver, watered-down soup and a perhaps a tiny portion of vegetables for supper on Sundays, they say.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services, however, says this is the most healthy and nutritious meal patients can receive.

Disappointed patients sent The Namibian pictures of this meal.

One patient, who prefers to remain anonymous, this week said many do not have family members in the capital to bring them food to supplement the hospital’s food.

“How will a patient get better if this is the supper served? Most don’t have family members in Windhoek at all. This is disappointing,” the patient said.

Another patient said the food does not look appetising and is served sloppily.

“It’s like it was not served with love. The food is too little and sometimes lacks salt. The ministry must do something,” the patient said.

Executive director of health and social services Ben Nangombe yesterday said he could not cofirm whether the food is from Windhoek Central Hospital.

“You cannot really just conclude that it’s from there. It could be true. However, Windhoek Central Hospital does not serve patients in the type of plate in the picture,” he said.

However, Nangombe confirmed that the dinner served last Saturday was indeed porridge, spinach and liver.

“There is a part of the hospital, especially on the second floor, where there are patients with spine injuries who can be served in those plates.

“The patients are served in terms of their weight recommendations as determined by dieticians in the ministry,” he said.

“That’s a nutritious meal. Nutrition-wise, the meal has met the dietary requirements for a patient. You have vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates in one. “But patients still have a choice of the food they want that day,” he said. Nangombe said the quantity of food could possibly be complained about, but nutrition is paramount. “That food is well seasoned and I think a beverage was even served,” he said.

The executive director said patients are served three meals per day, depending on their conditions and specifications.

“Some patients may require a liquid diet. The ministry awards a contract to a company to provide catering services to hospitals and food is inspected to see if it meets set dietary requirements,” he said.

Nangombe encouraged Namibians to adopt a healthy lifestyle by considering what they consume.

“Our people are just trying to consume sugary food, processed food, drinks and juices. We should adopt a healthy lifestyle and avoid eating sugary food,” he said.