About the region
Karas Region is situated in the south of the country and covers a surface area of 161 215 km². The Region is bordered by the Hardap Region in the north, South Africa in the east, the Atlantic Ocean in the west and again South Africa in the south with the Orange River dividing the two countries. The name of the Region reflects the prominence of the Karas Mountain range in the southern part of the Region.

The Region is divided into six (6) constituencies being Keetmanshoop Urban, Keetmanshoop Rural, Berseba, Lüderitz, Karasburg and Oranjemund. It comprises of the magisterial districts of Lüderitz, Bethanie, Keetmanshoop and Karasburg.

The main centres in the Region are Keetmanshoop, Karasburg, Lüderitz, Oranjemund, Bethanie, Grunau, Aus, Aroab, Berseba, Tses, Rosh-Pinah, Koës, Noordoewer, Ariamsvlei and Warmbad.

The population size of the Region is estimated to be around 72 068 for 2004/2005 projected using the 2001 census and the annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Population per category is estimated to be as follows:

Under 5 years: 7 927
Women of childbearing age 15-49: 18 017
Aged people (60+): 4 324
Disabled people: 2 162

Compared with the national average of 2.1 persons per km², the population density within the Karas Region is relatively low at 0.4 persons per km².

The infrastructure in the Region is well developed with the upgrading of the railway line from Aus to Luderitz well underway. The tarring of the road from Rosh-Pinah to Aus has also started which will positively contribute to the transporting of the products from the two mines at Rosh-Pinah to Luderitz habour. The airport at Keetmanshoop is of international standard with the one at Luderitz earmarked for upgrading.

The first diamond was discovered in the Region with the mining sector being a major contributor to the national GDP. Diamonds are mined at Oranjemund and south of Luderitz. Other products like copper, zinc, tin, silver and lead at mined at Rosh Pinah and marble at Aus. The Skorpion Zinc Mine is developing into a strong economic enterprise while the Haib mine at Noordoewer, where copper reserves are found, could further strengthen the regions mining sector. The development of the Kudu gas fields off the coastline at Oranjemund, could result into one of the big income earners within the Karas Region.

Fish related industries form the economic base of Luderitz. Fishing boats operate out of Luderitz habour, harvesting the fish stocks to their maximum potential. There is also oyster and seaweed farms that are operated very successfully in and around Luderitz.

The irrigation schemes at Noordoewer and Naute Dam outside Keetmanshoop produces fruits and vegetables for local consumption and export purposes.

Quick Links on this page: Objectives | Main Output Areas | Structure

Objectives

• To ensure efficient regional management
• To improve quality of health services in all hospitals
• To provide quality primary health care service
• To improve developmental social welfare services

Main output areas

• General and functional management
• PHC services
• Hospital services
• Developmental social welfare services

General Support Services
The division covers the following:

• Office and General Services
• Logistics and Facilities Management
• Finance and Social Accounts
• Human Resource Management

Public & Environmental Health Services
The division covers the following:

• Port /Border health services
• Sanitation
• Vector borne disease control
• Occupational Health and safety
• Public hygiene and environmental pollution control
• Infectious disease control
• Food safety and hygiene

Family Health Services
The division covers the following:

• Safe motherhood and newborn care
• Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)
• Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI)
• Family Planning(FP), Antenatal Care (ANC), Post Natal Care (PNC)
• Food and Nutrition
• Community Based Health Care and Outreach services
• School and Adolescent health program
• Mental health
• Control of Diarrhea Diseases (CDD)
• Non-communicable diseases control
• Acute Respiratory Infections control

Rehabilitation & Social Welfare Services
The division covers the following:

• Rehabilitation services include physiotherapy and occupational health services.
• The Social Welfare Services subdivision’s main function is to ensure a healthy and safe environment for the community at large, improving the living standards of the disadvantaged and protect the rights and dignity of those affected by prejudice and abuse.

Curative Services
The division covers the following:

• Nursing Services
• Pharmaceutical Services
• Dental Services

Special Disease program
The division covers the following:

• HIV/AIDS
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Malaria

Management Information System (MIS)
The division is responsible for managing of information for evidence-based planning, monitoring and evaluation. This is done through the development of a sound MIS that could provide information on financial, epidemiological, pharmaceutical, capital development and maintenance of facilities, human resource development, research and surveys, etc. The division is therefore responsible for the development of a minimum set of indicators for all the MIS subsystems. This tool is then utilized for monitoring the implementation of programs and services in the directorate. 

Multi-Regional Technical Workshop
It is responsible for repairing and planned preventive maintenance of medical equipment for three directorates. 

District Health and Social Welfare Services x 3: Keetmanshoop, Karasburg and Luderitz
The division is responsible for the co-ordination, management and implementation of activities at district level, which includes all activities run by the district hospitals, clinics and health centres.

HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES
The Karas Region has three District Hospitals; one in Keetmanshoop, one in Karasburg and one in Luderitz, two Health Centre’s and twelve clinics. The Region also has one Health Centre in Aroab, operated by Catholic Health Services (CHS).