Stefanus Nambara
NKURENKURU – A young general medical practitioner, Dr. McDonald Hamutenya has ploughed back into his community of Nkurenkuru in Kavango West by opening a private clinic, Matteo LifePulse Medical Practice at the town.
“I was raised by this community of Nkurenkuru, so I felt the need to come and help them as their own, where they can feel comfortable and be in a safe space because they’ll be speaking their own language” Hamutenya said.
He said that he saw the gap in the medical services as there is only one primary health care clinic, one health centre and one private hospital.
“I want to reduce the number of patients per doctor as well as reduce stress on my fellow doctors,” he said.
Hamutenya revealed that his project was solely funded by his family. He thus, extended his gratitude to them for their unwavering support.
Like any young person Hamutenya has bigger plans for his project. His vision is to expand it to a bigger private hospital with admission rooms and offer extensive medical services.
The clinic will offer services such as; chronic and acute diseases treatment, prevention health checks, pediatric and geriatric care, immunisations and vaccinations, and telehealth consultations, amongst others.
He encouraged his fellow young people who have acquired skills and knowledge to be proactive.
“Be proactive and try to look for opportunities, mostly from towns where you are from, that’s where you’ll find most of the opportunities and you take them up. Don’t be scared to put yourself out there, just try to do what you can and always ask for help,” Hamutenya said.
During a ceremony on Wednesday which marked the start of the clinic’s operations, a private healthcare practitioner at the town, Dr. Kleopas Henok said it is always for the benefit of the community to have someone from them plough back. He added that having several doctors around means rendering quality services.
At the same ceremony, the mayor of Nkurenkuru town, Jafet Muti encouraged Hamutenya that what he did is more than just opening a clinic but opening his heart to the community.
“You’ll face challenges – there will be long nights, difficult cases and moments of doubt but remember every patient that walk through your door is not only seeking medicines, they are seeking humanity, so let you empathy be your guide” the mayor said.
Hamutenya matriculated in 2015 at ECIN Nkurenkuru High School. He then went to further his studies at the University of Namibia the following year, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree.
* Stefanus Nambara is an Information Officer in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (based at Nkurenkuru in Kavango West