| Unit Name: | Defence Health Services |
| Country: | Namibia |
| Role: | Medical support |
| Command Structure: | Namibia Defence Force |
| Current Commander: | Brigadier General Sophia Ndeitunga |
| Current Commander Label: | Chief of Staff |
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]
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.
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]
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.
A central medical training facility is being built at the Osona Military Base.[12] The Wing is commanded by Lt Col Amutenya.[8]
Military Health practitioners are deployed at Sick Bays across all military bases. They also deploy on Peace Support Missions with infantry units.
DHS mainly employs three types of Ambulances
| Name | Image | Origin | Type | Acquired | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wer'wolf MKII | Mine protected ambulance | - | ||||
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 4x4 ambulance | - | ||||
| Toyota HiAce | ambulance | - | Based on the Toyota Quantum bus | |||