Out of the N$10.9 billion of the health ministry’s budget, a total of N$267.5 million has been allocated to the Kunene region.
This, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said, is part of bolstering primary healthcare delivery in the region and other parts of the country.
He said this while on an outreach support event to increase access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations through enhanced health services.
“In Namibia, we are making steady progress to expand healthcare services to all Namibians, especially those living in rural areas. We are aware that for many rural communities, health facilities are often situated far from their homes, making it difficult for individuals to access timely medical attention when needed,” Shangula said.
The government, aims to address the causes of ill-health and promote wellness among citizens.
Shangula added that the government and stakeholders, like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Japanese government, will work tirelessly to tackle endemic diseases.
Where a patient has health conditions that cannot be treated at the outreach point, such a patient is referred upward to clinics, health centres and hospitals. This is part of the public health sector referral pathway. Outreach points are established at places that were chosen through consultation and the guidance of community members themselves. Orotjitombo village is among the places earmarked for the establishment of an outreach point.
Shangula said: “The ministry is constructing new health facilities and renovating existing health infrastructure. The construction of the Epupa clinic, for example, is one such example. The construction of the Epupa clinic commenced on 25 March 2014, with a completion date of 25 March 2015, for N$11.4 million. Unfortunately, the contract had to be terminated in March 2016 due to the non-performance of the contractor.”
He indicated that the new contract commenced in June 2022. The contract amount is N$9.7 million. Shangula added that they have completed the Oroutumba health post at a total cost of
N$628 813. The items constructed are the shade structure, fence, septic tank, and installation of solar electricity. In addition, a new backup electrical generator has been installed at Opuwo Hospital at a total cost of N$1.8 million, and commissioned into service.
“The ministry has commenced with the upgrading of the medical oxygen network infrastructure at Outjo, Khorixas and Opuwo hospitals at a total cost of N$2.5 million. The construction of a new clinic at Serringkop will start in this financial year,” he added.
WHO officer in charge, Mary Brantuo, was delighted to observe the strides made in ensuring that women and children in these areas receive comprehensive healthcare, including vital nutrition interventions.
She highlighted that universal health coverage (UHC) lies at the core of WHO’s mission, aiming to ensure that all individuals and communities, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to essential health services without encountering financial hardships.
“Through a project titled ‘Increasing Access to Quality Healthcare for Vulnerable Populations through Enhanced Outreach Health Services to Reduce Preventable Deaths and Inequities’ in Kunene and Omaheke regions, the project, valued at US$300 000, was carried out from January to December 2023. The implemented activities included strengthening access to healthcare services for vulnerable women and children through outreach services,” stated Brantuo. – psiririka@nepc.com.na