Ground-breaking for the construction activities of the Ombili clinic was officially held on Tuesday at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region.
Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe officiated the event on behalf of the ministry.
Nangombe said the construction activities of Ombili clinic, which has been a health post since 2007, start on Tuesday and are expected to by concluded by November 2024.
'The cost for the construction will be N.dollars 6 million, which will be donated by Otjikoto B2Gold Mine,' said Nangombe.
The fully functional Ombili clinic will offer antenatal services and post-natal care, immunisations, HIV and tuberculosis testing, dental services, provision of pharmaceutical services and the management of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Nangombe further announced that the ministry intends during the 2024/2025 financial year to build a multi-regional State hospital at Otjiwarongo that will provide special medical services to the whole country.
'The ministry will also purchase 20 ambulances and the Otjozondjupa Region will be a beneficiary once the ambulances are distributed,' he said.
Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua on his part thanked the Ministry of Health and Social Services for the promise of purchasing the ambulances, saying the region is in dire need of at least four ambulances for each health district here.
Uerikua however emphasised the need to build a referral hospital for the region as the political leadership eight years ago donated a piece of land for that purpose with the understanding that as Otjiwarongo is a gateway town, it would minimise pressure and distances for many patients traveling to Windhoek's Katutura or Windhoek Central hospitals for improved healthcare.
Otjikoto B2Gold Mine Country Manager, John Roos at the event handed over a symbolic cheque to Nangombe representing the cash donation aimed at funding the clinic's construction activities.
Otjiwarongo Constituency councillor, Marlayn Mbakera extended her thanks to the Otjikoto B2Gold Mine management for the funding of the clinic, saying it will benefit about 25 000 residents in the fast-growing Ombili informal settlement.
The event was attended by the local authority councillors of the Otjiwarongo Municipality, including Mayor Gottlieb Shivute, local health officials and community members.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency