OSHAKATI – Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said the gift of vision is one of the most essential aspects of human health and well-being.

This is because the ability to see influences every sphere of life, from education and employment to social interactions and economic opportunities.

He was speaking during the inauguration of a new Sustainable Vision Centre at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital yesterday.

The minister said the significance of eyesight is engraved in the Oshiwambo expression by their ancestors, ‘Kulupa nomeho, mayego tu ku taasinine’, which translates loosely as ‘Age with eyesight, we will chew your food for you.’

“However, across the globe, millions of people suffer from preventable and correctable vision impairments due to a lack of access to basic eye-care services, leading to disability, in many cases permanent disability,” he observed.

Shangula emphasised that in Namibia, many individuals, particularly in rural and underserved areas, struggle with vision-related challenges.

“While public health facilities provide many services, care and interventions, we welcome partnerships that can extend our reach and footprint. This is because most Namibians who depend on public healthcare services are unable to afford the high costs of optical services in the private sector,” he noted.

In addition, a great concern is the fact that many school-going children face learning difficulties due to uncorrected refractive errors, while adults, including breadwinners, struggle with impaired vision which affects their productivity and quality of life.

The Vision Centre will operate as an integral part of the public health system, in line with existing regulatory frameworks, benefiting from the existing health infrastructure, and human and financial resources and skills.

Also speaking at the occasion, renowned ophthalmologist Dr Helena Ndume said the eye clinic will stand as a beacon of hope to ensure that no one in the community is left behind when it comes to easily-correctable refractive errors.

“Let this clinic symbolise a commitment to making quality eye-care accessible to all, regardless of their national situation,” she added.

-fhamalwa@nepc.com.na