KARIBIB – In a significant development for the Karibib community, Navachab Gold Mine announced plans to construct a modern medical centre.
The centre is aimed at addressing the healthcare needs of the growing population, and to reduce the need for locals to travel long distances for specialised healthcare.
About N$10 million has been earmarked for the first phase of the facility, which will be donated to the government upon completion.
Speaking about the project, Navachab spokesperson Mclyn Kasale highlighted the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, which underscored the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure.
“During Covid-19, we saw how ill-equipped the community was to manage health emergencies. Our current health centre has limited capabilities, and people must often travel to Usakos for essential medical services. This new medical centre will cater to the healthcare needs of our people,” he stated.
The proposed medical centre will expand on the current services offered at the existing health centre.
“Currently, we don’t even have an X-ray facility, and only basic maternal services and medicine dispensing are available. The 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 handle road accident victims,” he stated.
The centre will be built on a 5.5-hectare plot of land donated by the town council.
Once completed, it will be handed over to the government, which will manage its operations. The project is expected to be completed in three phases.
“We are waiting for government approval to move ahead, as they need to factor the centre into their budget. The final phase will include housing for nurses and doctors on site,” he added.
Navachab CEO George Botshiwe noted that this project is part of the mine’s broader community development initiatives.
“We have a duty of care to ensure that the resources we provide are applied for the optimal benefit of the community. In addition to the medical centre, we are involved in projects such as the electrification of informal settlements, construction of classrooms and traffic line upgrades, as well as the construction of a mortuary at Otjimbingwe,” he said.
The mine, which employs over 1 100 people, has invested more than N$2 billion in local procurement and services, significantly contributing to the Namibian economy.
In 2024 alone, the mine paid N$1.2 billion in taxes, a first in the mine’s history.
The mine also paid royalties of over N$20 million to the government through Epangelo Mining, the State-owned mining company established in 2008 to occupy a significant position in major commodity businesses.
“Navachab is committed to national, regional and local development. This medical centre is just one example of how we aim to leave a lasting impact on the community, ensuring that even after our operations end, the community continues to thrive,” he said.