KARIBIB – QKR Namibia’s Navachab Gold Mine has teamed up with the Karibib Town Council to construct a state-of-the-art medical facility in Karibib, as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The mining company made N$15 million available while the Karibib Town Council donated land valued at N$5 million, for the construction of the facility.
The centre is envisaged to provide world-class medical services and be a major upgrade from the nearby Karibib Clinic. Construction is set to begin before June and be completed in three phases.
Once operational, the Karibib Medical Centre will offer a wider range of medical services to the town’s growing population and reduce the need for locals to travel long distances for specialised medical care.
Currently, residents access limited services at a health facility that was constructed in 2004, with those needing urgent medical care and related services having to travel to Usakos to access these services.
The planned new centre will include a pharmacy, trauma unit, maternity ward and an operating theatre. Given Karibib’s location along two major corridors, the medical centre will also be equipped to treat victims of road accidents.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula highlighted the project’s role in strengthening public health infrastructure and one of the initiatives that speak directly to universal healthcare.
“The existing health facility, inaugurated in 2004, has served the community well but is no longer sufficient due to demographic changes and increased demand for healthcare service. The town’s population growth, driven by economic activities such as mining, port expansion and other developments in the Erongo region, has led to greater pressure on existing medical services. Hence, the government appreciates collaborations such as this medical centre,” the minister said.
Shangula added that the ministry will be responsible for the staff component of the facility and has already assigned a full-time medical doctor, a pharmacist and a pharmacist assistant to the existing facility.
“This collaborative effort underscores what can be achieved when government ministries, local authorities and private enterprises work together, hence we applaud Navachab for this generous injection into Namibia’s healthcare system,” he said.
The minister pointed out that collaborations are necessary to meet the government halfway in terms of service delivery.
QKR Namibia’s managing director, George Botshiwe, explained that the initiative was developed in close consultation with the Karibib Town Council and the local community.
“This medical facility is the result of discussions between the mine, the town council, the constituency councillor’s office and individual residents. The land was generously donated by the council, demonstrating the town’s commitment to this critical development,” he said.
According to Botshiwe, the health centre will be built in three phases, with construction starting in June 2025. The first phase will include a maternity ward, a casualty department, a pharmacy, and a general ward. The second phase will add additional beds, theatres, a kitchen, and a laundry facility, while the final phase will involve constructing staff quarters. He said the mine is committed to community development, as they believe the communities in which they operate, should benefit from their presence.
“The extraction and our operations must leave a lasting legacy in the community we operate in,” Botshiwe said.
Also speaking at the event, Erongo governor Neville Andre said the groundbreaking ceremony marks a significant milestone in efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and bring essential medical services closer to the people.
“At the heart of this achievement is the unwavering commitment of Navachab Gold Mine, whose generous investment has made this dream a reality. Your contribution to this health centre is a testament to corporate responsibility at its best — an investment in the well-being of our people. For this, we extend our deepest gratitude,” he said.